Parts list to refurb your Sway Bars

[KlausVanWinkle]

Just installed all the rear sway bar parts. Thought some pictures would be helpful. I agree with above, 3 of 4 sway bar bracket mount bolts broke on my old rusty 100. This one was fine.

Replaced all the rear sway bar bushings with Whiteline Poly bushings. Except for the top 4 sandwiching the bracket.

I ordered Man-A-Fre's 80-Series extended sway bar links and used those with the 80 series bushings but the one 100 series washer (the non gold washer in the pictures).

As you can see the Man-A-Fre links are about an inch longer than OEM.

Assembled OEM vs Man-A-Fre

The Man-A-Fre goes Washer-Bushing-Bracket-Bushing-Washer-Nut. While the OEM 100 one adds another washer: Washer-Bushing-Washer-Bracket-Bushing-Washer-Nut.

Whiteline on the left. OEM in the center.

80 (left) vs 100 (right) Bushings

They seemed similar enough to me that I stuck with the 80 ones.

 

[CanadianRockyCruiser]

For anyone who needs to know, the torque spec's are as follows:

FRONT:
-Stabilizer bar links
-bolt (through stabilizer bar link and mount): 38ft lbf
-nut (on top of assembly): 18ft lbf
-Stabilizer bar brackets (mount to frame) : ft lbf

REAR:
-Bracket bolts: 13 ft lbf
-Stabilizer bar link
-bolt (through stabilizer bar link & stabilizer bar): 19ft lbf
-nut (on top of assembly): 11 ft lbf
-stabilizer bar brackets: 13ft lbf

 

[Wilsil]

My ordered front sway bar refurbish parts are on their way.
Much cheaper than buying from the dealer.

 

[Wilsil]

A parcel has arrived.

 

[LCHardriver_02]

When looking at the MAF links, do all lifts need to go this route or just ones of a given lift size? I am finding that with my 1.5" lift sitting in my family room, I am coming up with "other stuff" to take care of or add to the lift that were not a part of the original purchase and just want to add these if it is warranted. Plus I am thinking of adding the bushings regardless because of the age of the truck and the "since I am here..." thoughts.

 

[OregonLC]

When looking at the MAF links, do all lifts need to go this route or just ones of a given lift size? I am finding that with my 1.5" lift sitting in my family room, I am coming up with "other stuff" to take care of or add to the lift that were not a part of the original purchase and just want to add these if it is warranted. Plus I am thinking of adding the bushings regardless because of the age of the truck and the "since I am here..." thoughts.

What's your goal? If it's articulation then stiffening the ASB system will only aggravate the problem. And with 1.5" lift is borderline on needing the 80's extended links in the rear. I'm all for 'since I'm in here' but only if it aligns with your goals. Bushings are great for road manners though.

Would be great for someone to RTI before/after to (and with front/rear/both disconnected) to see the effects of change.

 

[LCHardriver_02]

What's your goal?

Honestly, I am not quite sure. I do not understand each individual component to the point of understanding the effect the lift will have on these particular parts of the suspension. That is why I asked.

If it's articulation then stiffening the ASB system will only aggravate the problem.

Not even sure what ASB means, but I am looking for good road manners while maintaining good articulation when off road. Replacing the bushings on an 11 year old vehicle just seems to make sense, given the life span of rubber.

And with 1.5" lift is borderline on needing the 80's extended links in the rear.

Is that a yes or no?

I'm all for 'since I'm in here' but only if it aligns with your goals. Bushings are great for road manners though.

My overall goal is to maintain the vehicle and not be under it every weekend, so I am trying to hit as many things in the suspension area as I can afford while I have the vehicle down. Please note that this is my DD, not some crazy trashed vehicle that otherwise sits in my driveway... that would be my 80 after my son leaves with the Army in September.

 

[paflytyer]

I added the MAF links when I went to L shocks. One of them had thread issues (MAF replaced no questions asked) and I rode around for a few days without a sway bar connected. You can feel the difference without the bar......
However when I replaced the sway bar with the extended links, it wasn't a world of difference from the OEM ones. It's not gonna change your life either way.

At 1.5" of lift, I would say its not worth buying the extended links.

 

[petrotk40]

Why are you guys removing the whole rear bracket? Just unbolt the end link.

 

[paflytyer]

If you're asking me, the link broke while I was on the trail. I removed the link and the bracket to get a good look at what went wrong. Otherwise, just replacing the link/bushings does not require removing the bracket...... Or anything but the link for that matter.

 

[LCHardriver_02]

At 1.5" of lift, I would say its not worth buying the extended links.

Cool! Thanks for the input!

 

[petrotk40]

If you're asking me, the link broke while I was on the trail. I removed the link and the bracket to get a good look at what went wrong. Otherwise, just replacing the link/bushings does not require removing the bracket...... Or anything but the link for that matter.

that makes sense. It seems like a lot of people have removed the whole bracket though

 

[Wilsil]

Do you need grease for the bushings?

 

[paflytyer]

Do you need grease for the bushings?

No, none needed.

 

[super90]

Why are you guys removing the whole rear bracket? Just unbolt the end link.

Unfortunately, as part of the procedure when changing rear springs (was installing OME at the time), the FSM says to remove the sway bar bracket from the frame, and not just the sway bar end from the bracket.That's why I did it originally. But obviously, in hindsight, that's a bad idea! My truck is relatively rust free underneath, and I still snapped one of the bolts. Live and learn.

 

[perrobravo]

Anyone have a new source for the extended 80 series rear links? MAF seems to be doing some sort of restructuring and I can't find them elsewhere, at least not in the last 30 minutes of searching around.

 

[RobRed]

Anyone have a new source for the extended 80 series rear links? MAF seems to be doing some sort of restructuring and I can't find them elsewhere, at least not in the last 30 minutes of searching around.

Extreme Land Cruiser had them in stock. Way easier to deal with then MAF.

 

[perrobravo]

Extreme Land Cruiser had them in stock. Way easier to deal with then MAF.

Thanks RobRed. Ordered a set from Extreme Land Cruiser who seems to have had them shipped from MAF. Whatever works!

Just installed and will expect massive articulation increases on my next outing!

 

[yuji]

Just ordered it all from CDan for $307+$20 ship. Excited!

 

[jcrandall]

So, just ordered replacement rubber and hardware from Beno. After searching, and looking through the FSM, it doesn't look like anything else has to come off the truck to replace the bushings and cushions. Anyone care to confirm? Do you all do this with the truck on the ground, wheels on? Seems too simple.

Turned out to be that simple - thanks all