What is this part?

[ColoradoMTNlivin]

Hey all,
I just got this 4runner three days ago, I was coming out of the grocery store today and noticed a metal arm of some sort hanging down. I'm pretty ignorant when it comes to car parts, wondering what this part is, how expensive it is, and whether or not the car is safe to temporarily drive. Is it something I can replace myself? Thanks!

 

[fire931]

That's the sway bar end link...

 

[the great him]

that part is broken, thats what that is...

yes its your sway bar end link

 

[ColoradoMTNlivin]

That's the sway bar end link...

Thanks man, looks like they're pretty cheap, can I just take off that whole last piece and replace it? Anything special I have to do?

 

[pauls4runner]

sway bar end links are usually pretty cheap and easy to replace. your Tr4 may feel sloppy when turning and may have some vibration until you get it fixed. If you dont temporarily secure the endlink in place or remove it all the way, while driving it could flop around and get hung up on something causing alot more damage

 

[theizzardking]

looks like you have more problems then just the end link, you may have to get some over size washers on there as well as it looks like it pulled through as opposed to breaking the link.


also if your buying new ones and your running a lift buy the ones for the front and use them in the back, the front end links are a tad bit longer then the back ones and will reduce the amount of pulling force you have going on in there right now.

also consider disconnects since you are replacing these anyways, they are quite a bit more expensive then the stocker ones but can be adjusted for lift height and are very easy to disconnect for when you hit the trail. they range from $120-180 a set of 2

if your lift is very mild then just using the stock fronts for the back should be
good enough and those run around $15-25 a piece around $50 for both

also for the front you can make some stupid blocks to bring your sway bar back down as well and stop this from happening in the front end as well.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/100334-sway-bar-drop-brackets.html

 

[pauls4runner]

I didnt pay close enough attention to realize those are the rear endlinks

 

[ColoradoMTNlivin]

Thanks for the help everyone, what's your opinion on driving carefully around corners with one rear sway bar link missing? I understand the car will rock more, but will I be safe to drive carefully for a week or so? I can't get the rusted bolt off and don't have any money to spend on tools or anything right now.

 

[Dous]

A lot of people including me don't even run a rear sway bar. When I took mine off I couldn't notice a difference, you will be fine