Swaybar Bushing Upgrade

[Velonici]

Thanks for the quick replies and nice idea about the carriage bolt. It is the same case for me where it's the side with the slot so I could hit the other bolt and see what happens. On the ones that did come out without issue, are the nuts welded in inside the frame, or are they just loose?

Thanks!

Its a square nut that is tack welded on the frame. If it broke off you should just be able to fish it out with a magnet. Was really surprised how little of it was actually welded to the frame.

 

[portrunner]

Its a square nut that is tack welded on the frame. If it broke off you should just be able to fish it out with a magnet. Was really surprised how little of it was actually welded to the frame.

Yeah, the Milwaukee impact wrench gave that bolt and nut a ride. Upgraded to better dremel cutting discs to cut the bolt this weekend. Hoping the other 3 come out easier after soaking in lots of PB blaster.

 

[blackoutt]

Just ordered a set of bushings for mine. Good to know to be cautious blasting them with the impact right away.

 

[mb66]

Did my '06 V6 Sport 4WD a couple weeks ago, new bushings front and rear plus new end links (all four had a busted rubber boot) and Energy urethane bushings on the rear links. $160 or so all from Amazon. Fortunately, my dinky hand tools didn't break any bolt welds. As someone else noted, you should get four 1/4" grade 8 washers for the rear bushing mount. Got mine from Tractor Supply for four cents (sold by weight). Guy actually gave change for a nickel.

My rear sway bar, by the way, was 21mm.

I had seen the torn rubber boots on previous oil changes, and noticed on a Thanksgiving mountain trip some major body roll on curves. This post prompted me to fix all this. Went back for New Years, nice and flat through curvy NC highway 9. Pleasantly surprised at the improvement.

 

[blackoutt]

07 V8 4wd, 30mm front, 19mm rear.

I have a grease-able black 21mm pair Prothane 311-19-1164-BL if anyone wants them PM me. Paid $14.37 and they want ~$10 to return so they aren't worth returning to JEGS.

 

[ben550]

I measured both sway bars on my 06 V8 4wd Sport. Front came out to 30mm and rear came to 21mm. That's what I ordered. Hopefully they fit correctly. I don't really want to return/exchange the 21mm for a 19mm if I somehow measured incorrectly.

Ordered the greasable bushings with zerks. Can I use the standard NGLI lithium grease or moly fortified grease we use for the driveshaft?

 

[NuclearN8]

I measured both sway bars on my 06 V8 4wd Sport. Front came out to 30mm and rear came to 21mm. That's what I ordered. Hopefully they fit correctly. I don't really want to return/exchange the 21mm for a 19mm if I somehow measured incorrectly.

Ordered the greasable bushings with zerks. Can I use the standard NGLI lithium grease or moly fortified grease we use for the driveshaft?

I've been using mobil1 synthetic grease on the driveshaft and poly bushings for both our 4runners for years with zero issues.

 

[ben550]

I've been using mobil1 synthetic grease on the driveshaft and poly bushings for both our 4runners for years with zero issues.

Thanks. Good to know. I'll be doing the same.

 

[MarcusAurelius]

While this thread is resurrected, what's the best place to buy a full poly bushings set? Thinking I can try to do more than just my swaybars.

 

[Billynath1988]

Just did mine front and back with poly. Ordered from amazon. used mobile 1 grease. Made a noticable difference and eliminated the front end sway bar clunk.
Dont over think it, its a 15 minute job.

 

[T101]

Same thing happened to me. It was the one where the bracket for the bar has a slot so was able to take it off and cut the head off. Then I was able to fish it out by the big hole that is in the frame right by it. I then got a carriage bolt (round head but has a square under it) and was able to tie a string onto it and suck that through and pull the bolt through. Once i tightened it down the square of the bolt wedged itself into the hole. Granted I now have 3 bolts and 1 nut but it works. I hope that makes sense and helps you out.

Were you able to find an M10/1.25 carriage bolt or just went with 5/8's??
I can't find metric carriage bolts anywhere local. Haven't started the install yet so may not even need it but want to have 1 or 2 on standby just in case

 

[fdte320]

I have been reading this thread and have surmised that it's the bushing that doing the job. My front end links are quite toast - found out when I replaced the struts. If I replace the bushings, Can any aftermarket end links be adequate? Thanks. Great thread!

 

[Velonici]

Were you able to find an M10/1.25 carriage bolt or just went with 5/8's??
I can't find metric carriage bolts anywhere local. Haven't started the install yet so may not even need it but want to have 1 or 2 on standby just in case

Honestly it was a while ago and I cant remember what thread size it was. But really it doesn't matter. I know I got it at Lowes and Im going to assume I got the 5/8's one.

 

[T101]

Same thing happened to me. It was the one where the bracket for the bar has a slot so was able to take it off and cut the head off. Then I was able to fish it out by the big hole that is in the frame right by it. I then got a carriage bolt (round head but has a square under it) and was able to tie a string onto it and suck that through and pull the bolt through. Once i tightened it down the square of the bolt wedged itself into the hole. Granted I now have 3 bolts and 1 nut but it works. I hope that makes sense and helps you out.

Ended up not needing any carriage bolts. All bolts came out relatively easily, exactly 38 minutes start to finish for the front only, including dropping/reinstalling skid plate.

Added new hardware while I was under there

original


original vs new


new mounted


new mounted

 

[JeffMerr]

Did my '06 V6 Sport 4WD a couple weeks ago, new bushings front and rear plus new end links (all four had a busted rubber boot) and Energy urethane bushings on the rear links. $160 or so all from Amazon. Fortunately, my dinky hand tools didn't break any bolt welds. As someone else noted, you should get four 1/4" grade 8 washers for the rear bushing mount. Got mine from Tractor Supply for four cents (sold by weight). Guy actually gave change for a nickel.

My rear sway bar, by the way, was 21mm.

I had seen the torn rubber boots on previous oil changes, and noticed on a Thanksgiving mountain trip some major body roll on curves. This post prompted me to fix all this. Went back for New Years, nice and flat through curvy NC highway 9. Pleasantly surprised at the improvement.

Which brand end links to you end up going with for the front/rear? I'm going to do the exact same thing to mine (links/bushing replacement).

 

[JSeligman2828]

I'm having issues deciphering what size bushings to purchase. I am unable to measure mine right now (due to a back issue), does anyone have confirmation on bushing sizes for a

2005 Limited 4x4 v8?

I see 17, 19, 21, and 29 or 30.

I was hoping to just purchase this once and be done with it. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

 

[46runner]

I'm having issues deciphering what size bushings to purchase. I am unable to measure mine right now (due to a back issue), does anyone have confirmation on bushing sizes for a

2005 Limited 4x4 v8?

I see 17, 19, 21, and 29 or 30.

I was hoping to just purchase this once and be done with it. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

I have a 2004 SR5 V8. Rears are 21mm and fronts are 29mm. The part #s for Energy are 8.5135G (front) and 9.5125G (rear).

 

[dropspace]

I used the prothane 21mm ones for the rear and the 30mm ones for the front on my 2004 Limited 4x4 V8 and they worked great.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0038762PY/ref=pe_385040_30332190_TE_M3T1_ST1_dp_2

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003876A88/ref=pe_385040_30332190_TE_M3T1_ST1_dp_3

 

[shahsmerdis]

Newbie here,

Is the advantage to doing this upgrade better handling? any downside? I have a clunk/knock coming from the front, Going to find out if this is case this weekend. Just want to have the part number ready to order if this is indeed the reason.

seems like the same cost as factory bushings. so just want see why there are 15 pages on this thread
thanks

 

[truckhigh]

just wanna add mine to the list

04 v8 Rwd Sport- front 29mm rear 19mm