Tips or Tricks to reattach Rear Sway bar brackets?

[TheFriZ]

I installed new shocks and coil spacers on the back of my 98 SR5 yesterday and disconnected the sway bar from the axle to allow more room. Obviously, the brackets are meant to compress, so they don't just line back up. I was wondering if anyone had any tips or tricks to get this sucker to where I can get both bolts back in it?

 

[1blink]

Jack up the axle you are connecting, one side at a time. Better yet, get longer sway bar links to compensate for the new lift. 3rd gen front links on the rear, 2nd gen 4wd front links on the front.

Edit: I read your post again. Misunderstood initially. So the bushings don't line up? Are the bushings seated properly? Are they worn and deformed?

 

[TheFriZ]

It's not the extra height that is a problem, my rear end had sagged enough that it's BARELY above where it should be, but the problem is that the brackets are meant to create tension apparently, so when they are unbolted, the two bolting locations don't sit flat. When one is bolted in, the other side of the bracket has like an inch to be compressed before the bolt could be started.

 

[Andy in Pa]

It's not the extra height that is a problem, my rear end had sagged enough that it's BARELY above where it should be, but the problem is that the brackets are meant to create tension apparently, so when they are unbolted, the two bolting locations don't sit flat. When one is bolted in, the other side of the bracket has like an inch to be compressed before the bolt could be started.

Something doesn't sound right, maybe sway bar is bent? I just removed my rear sway bar, and there was no tension on it at all. I could have easily swung it back up and re-attached it. If the sway bar Is misaligned from side-to-side, most times a little bit of jacking on one side of the axle or the other will bring it into alignment enough for re-attachment. Keep all the hardware loose until everything is attached, then tighten.

 

[1blink]

Is the bar turned around backwards?

 

[TheFriZ]

Is the bar turned around backwards?

no, it has nothing to do with the bar having tension on it, the brackets themselves. Like if I remove the brackets, the flats of the bracket wouldn't sit flat on the table. It's like it's designed to compress the bushing.



the sway bar doesn't have tension, it reaches fine... the brackets are the problem... but I mean I just removed them, and 30 minutes later went to put them back on.

 

[ARC]

no, it has nothing to do with the bar having tension on it, the brackets themselves. Like if I remove the brackets, the flats of the bracket wouldn't sit flat on the table. It's like it's designed to compress the bushing.



the sway bar doesn't have tension, it reaches fine... the brackets are the problem... but I mean I just removed them, and 30 minutes later went to put them back on.

Did you try getting both bolts started before tightening? This pic makes it look like you snugged the one side all the way and don't even have the other bolt in.

 

[Fishwerks]

From my experience this is normal. I started one bolt in, then got the biggest pair of pliers I had and squeezed the bracket towards the mount until I could get the second bolt started. It's a real pain in the ass.

 

[Andy in Pa]

from my experience this is normal. I started one bolt in, then got the biggest pair of pliers i had and squeezed the bracket towards the mount until i could get the second bolt started. It's a real pain in the ass.

x2...

 

[TheFriZ]

Did you try getting both bolts started before tightening? This pic makes it look like you snugged the one side all the way and don't even have the other bolt in.

No, the threads on the bolts are only about 3/8" long.. no where near long enough to have one barely started and there be enough room left to get the other started

From my experience this is normal. I started one bolt in, then got the biggest pair of pliers I had and squeezed the bracket towards the mount until I could get the second bolt started. It's a real pain in the ass.

I knew I couldn't be the only one to ever experience this.. I tried to use a big c clamp, but the feet got in the way of me putting the bolt in. Ill give some pliers a try in the morning. Thanks man!

x2...

x2 for the above