Swaybar Bushing Upgrade

[CJ3Flyr]

was looking at the jegs site and found this: 29mm 2003-2008 4Runner bushings

Someone tried the bushings that were listed for a 4Runner and had fitment issues. People who measure and then order universals don't have issues. To my knowledge the only 4Runners with a 29mm bar are the V6 2wd's. All of the rest have 30mm's. It seems that 19mm or 21mm are the most common sizes for the rear bar.

 

[olsen_karl]

Slightly improve handling? Especially zig-zag/evasive maneuvers? Worth the effort?
:cheers:

Um... not sure it made any difference, really. My 4R only has about 22K miles on it, and the stock swaybar bushings looked like new.

It was cheap enough, and it won't hurt anything. The urethane ones will certainly outlast the stock rubber ones.

Other suspension/ride thoughts:

I really need to get around to installing the Bilstein 5100 shocks I bought awhile back. I think/hope those will make more of a difference in the ride, especially with adjusting the front to ride a bit higher (leveling shocks). I noticed when installing the front swaybar bushings that there's less than 1" of space between the front bumpstop and the control arm, which (guessing) translates into around 2" of wheel up-travel -- if that -- before the control arm hits that bumpstop. The front Bilstein 5100 leveling shocks are supposedly damped more heavily than stock, particularly on compression. Hopefully by adding a bit more up-travel from the leveling lift, plus adding firmer compression damping, will make the front suspension feel more balanced with the rear. Right now, the 4R feels like the front end crashes down hard over bumps, like speed bumps in a parking lot, even when driving slowly. The front end feels undersprung and underdamped.

 

[Iowa4Runner]

Um... not sure it made any difference, really. My 4R only has about 22K miles on it, and the stock swaybar bushings looked like new.

That's where I'm afraid I'll end up. I could replace the sway bar bushings and end link bushings and still have a tipsy 4Runner. I may throw in an Addco rear sway bar if I decide to do this.

CJ3Flyr: Was the big improvement in handling you noticed due to just replacing the bushings or were there other mods I didn't catch?

 

[CJ3Flyr]

CJ3Flyr: Was the big improvement in handling you noticed due to just replacing the bushings or were there other mods I didn't catch?

The swaybar bushing upgrade does not equate to 1" lower and a pair of aftermarket swaybars, period. It does tighten up the steering response and allow for slightly flatter turns. The ideal would be the Addco on the rear and bushings on the front IMHO.

I think you'll be pleasantly surprised and pleased with the results if you think the 4Runner handled pretty good but fell slightly short as-delivered. Is it a Night & day" difference? No. Is it the last few percent of roll stiffness that should have been there from the factory? IMHO yes. It's a minor upgrade that brings it into the 'as should've been delivered' realm.

Don't expect miracles and you'll be pleased. It's easy, cheap and I would definitely do it again.

Does that help?
:cheers:

 

[jpless]

So I went to grease all the bushings after my last oil change and I got all of them but the rear drivers side. I'm looking to get an angled grease fitting like others have but can't find them in the stores and am not sure what size to get. Anyone know? I hate having 3/4 with fresh grease, i fell like i'm cheating myself!

 

[aeathb]

So I went to grease all the bushings after my last oil change and I got all of them but the rear drivers side. I'm looking to get an angled grease fitting like others have but can't find them in the stores and am not sure what size to get. Anyone know? I hate having 3/4 with fresh grease, i fell like i'm cheating myself!

I hear you. I have looked all over for the angled fitting myself. I'm curious where others got them too

 

[Kmvreter]

So I went to grease all the bushings after my last oil change and I got all of them but the rear drivers side. I'm looking to get an angled grease fitting like others have but can't find them in the stores and am not sure what size to get. Anyone know? I hate having 3/4 with fresh grease, i fell like i'm cheating myself!

I don't know the exact thread size because there are many different ones. I took one of the existing grease nipples off the bracket and into the store with me. Found them at Canadian Tire (same as an Autozone, etc...) Try Tractor Supply (TSC) or an industrial supply house that sells grease guns, grease, etc... There's also the option to get a 90 degree fitting for the end of your grease gun hose that clamps onto the fitting sideways. I just didn't go that route.

 

[Iowa4Runner]

The swaybar bushing upgrade does not equate to 1" lower and a pair of aftermarket swaybars, period. It does tighten up the steering response and allow for slightly flatter turns. The ideal would be the Addco on the rear and bushings on the front IMHO.

I think you'll be pleasantly surprised and pleased with the results if you think the 4Runner handled pretty good but fell slightly short as-delivered. Is it a Night & day" difference? No. Is it the last few percent of roll stiffness that should have been there from the factory? IMHO yes. It's a minor upgrade that brings it into the 'as should've been delivered' realm.

Don't expect miracles and you'll be pleased. It's easy, cheap and I would definitely do it again.

Does that help?
:cheers:

I just finished the upgrade, which included replacing the rear sway bar with the Addco 22mm bar. It's less tipsy now, but it's hard to objectively say how much of a difference the mods really made. In some situations it seems unchanged and in others, it's noticeably better. The bushings and end links were cheap and fairly easy to install. The sway bar replacement was a pain and I'd be tempted to say it's not worth money and hassle to change it if you've already got the 21mm rear sway bar.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I just finished the upgrade, which included replacing the rear sway bar with the Addco 22mm bar. It's less tipsy now, but it's hard to objectively say how much of a difference the mods really made. In some situations it seems unchanged and in others, it's noticeably better. Reading between the lines... Is it fair to say on long, sustained turns (On/Off ramps etc) it's a noticeably better but quick turns into parking lots etc not much of a difference? Does it still ride pretty good? The bushings and end links were cheap and fairly easy to install. The sway bar replacement was a pain and I'd be tempted to say it's not worth money and hassle to change it if you've already got the 21mm rear sway bar. Great point, us 19mm guys may benefit more than you did.

List the 21mm stock bar in the FS section. Some local V6 guy may give you a few bucks for it

 

[Iowa4Runner]

Reading between the lines... Is it fair to say on long, sustained turns (On/Off ramps etc) it's a noticeably better but quick turns into parking lots etc not much of a difference? Does it still ride pretty good?

I've not noticed any compromise in ride quality, it seems about the same on a typical rough city street at 35 MPH. In general it's probably fair to say the sway improvement is most noticeable in sustained turns but even still, it seems to have reduced the rocking motion you get with mild zig zag steering inputs. Quick turns though sharp corners are flatter too, I'm finding the tires to be a bit noisier than I'd like. Can't they just slide a little with some dignity? Sheesh...

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I'm finding the tires to be a bit noisier than I'd like. Can't they just slide a little with some dignity? Sheesh...

:guitar3:If this has become an issue that's a damn fine handling 4Runner. If, for 'sport', you're giving the VSC a work out you're doing fine... That's a bit unnerving with a stock one

 

[810moto]

i finally got mine in the mail a day ago. plan on putting them on monday sometime. i would this weekend but its my son's birthday and i'm hearing that 12 is the new 18...well at least for him it is.

 

[Iowa4Runner]

:guitar3:If this has become an issue that's a damn fine handling 4Runner. If, for 'sport', you're giving the VSC a work out you're doing fine... That's a bit unnerving with a stock one

It's pretty rare that I drive hard enough on dry pavement to activate the VSC, but with spirited driving I sure notice the little chirps and howls from the tires.

 

[810moto]

well i have now installed the rear bushings. now it's front, rear and end links all poly bushings. cant say that i notice a HUGE difference but i can tell the truck is a bit flatter in getting on/off the freeway ramps. all in all, still a good bang for the buck.

 

[BROOKLYN]

still wauting on mine (backordered)

 

[Iowa4Runner]

Anyone near eastern Iowa want my 21mm OEM rear sway bar, for free? If you're planning to be in the Iowa City / Cedar Rapids area in the near future let me know...

 

[rdrunner]

Finally finished upgrading the bushings this weekend. Wow, seriously. It's flatter around the corners, and MUCH more stable on the highway. It almost completely got rid for the twitchiness that has been plaguing me. My guess is the ones that notice a bigger difference needed it more. I'm very glad I did this and am very surprised it made such a noticeable difference for me.

I got grease-able bushings and for those that were talking about right angle zerks, I got this instead and it works out great.
Amazon.com: Slotted Right Angle 90 Degree Coupler: Automotive

 

[810moto]

RDRUNNER....you have just solved all of our greasing problems! other than lobsters, now maine is know for something else that is good for us.
U DA MAN!

 

[rdrunner]

:cheers:

 

[PWGUNNY]

Finally finished upgrading the bushings this weekend. Wow, seriously. It's flatter around the corners, and MUCH more stable on the highway. It almost completely got rid for the twitchiness that has been plaguing me. My guess is the ones that notice a bigger difference needed it more. I'm very glad I did this and am very surprised it made such a noticeable difference for me.

I got grease-able bushings and for those that were talking about right angle zerks, I got this instead and it works out great.
Amazon.com: Slotted Right Angle 90 Degree Coupler: Automotive

RDRUNNER- Thanks for the info on the grease fitting. What size is your rear swaybar? As I have a 2004 V6 Sport model that is most likely the same size as yours.