swaybar ES help

[talkstometal]

I bought the energy suspension kit from rockauto 85141G

mic'd 26mm for the bar. installed no problem. but the end links!!! so much trouble. I searched and didnt see anyone state they had a problem with the end links. the new endlink bushings fit the diameter onto the bolt fine but they are too fat. I cannot get the nut onto the bolt. the tophat doesnt even show the bolt.

-----(Bushing[bar]bushing) <-no threads viewable. bushings to fat

did I get fat bushings? did you guys somehow compress? I tried a c-clamp and also a crowbar to compress, no luck

 

[Endlessblockades]

A photo would be helpful...

 

[talkstometal]

Can’t upload pic on this forum! Ugh

I used the rear bushing in place of front. I think they had wrong ones? I’ll try and upload next week

 

[Zhehan]

Nearly every front end link kit I've purchased since 2015 has bushings that are too tall. This has been from anyone, whether it be just bushings, or a whole new link w/ bushings. It's weird.

I have not purchased new OEM links and bushings since 2015.

 

[talkstometal]

Too tall

 

[Endlessblockades]

I don't remember that being an issue with the OCD-brand forged end links I put on, but it's been a few years. Maybe take 1/3 off the top bushing with a hacksaw? I would probably be digging in my box of old skateboard truck bushings....

 

[GhostRing]

I feel that even if you could get the washer/nut on there, the bushing would be so compressed it would be essentially useless.
I would either take the chance of cutting them down, or return them if possible and get OEM rubber and be good for another 20 years.

 

[Malcolm99]

It is because you are not using factory contoured washers, those 1/8" thick ass washers from generic end links are just to thick and improperly shaped/cupped.

 

[talkstometal]

It is because you are not using factory contoured washers, those 1/8" thick ass washers from generic end links are just to thick and improperly shaped/cupped.

Those are the factory contoured washers.

Think energy suspension still hasn’t gotten the right sizing after 25 years (1999 4Runner)

 

[Ibrad]

If the rig is jacked up or on jack stands try letting the full weight of the vehicle compress the bottom bushing. That might give enough room for the threads to come up through the top bushing.

 

[talkstometal]

If the rig is jacked up or on jack stands try letting the full weight of the vehicle compress the bottom bushing. That might give enough room for the threads to come up through the top bushing.

I ended up using the "correct" bushings from the rear kit. the front kit bushings are shown in my pic above. the rear kit has different bushings. they look more like the oem. rounded, with a little nipple that floats into the swaybar.

I did remember the trick of compressing. you have put nut on one side, then jack that side up, so the other side will compress down on lower bushing.

I still cannot believe that "energy suspension" doesnt have the correct parts for this car after 25 years

 

[talkstometal]

after a couple of phone calls to Energy Suspension, its sorted out. they did in fact have the wrong end link bushings in this kit. they are now changing the kit to include the correct end link bushings. basically, the matching bushings from the rear

 

[Zhehan]

after a couple of phone calls to Energy Suspension, its sorted out. they did in fact have the wrong end link bushings in this kit. they are now changing the kit to include the correct end link bushings. basically, the matching bushings from the rear

I KNEW IT! Every manufacturer for the last 10 years(?) has been doing this crap.

Thanks for getting ES to sort their shit.