Some flaking on swaybars -- replace?

[CBdeJ]

I'm going to replace my sway bar end links and bushings shortly and was wondering if it's worthwhile replacing the sway bars themselves.

The right side of the front sway bar has some flaking/corrosion, right where the ac drain used to drop condensation. The rear is in better condition but still 20 years old? Are the bars solid or hollow? Are they stressed enough that they'll suffer from fatigue?

Cheers,
Chris

 

[Mike NXP]

Tough call, my vote is to replace them if you have the budget / time to do so.

If not in the budget, I say ride it out .

 

[Mike NXP]

This pic makes me interested to create a "post your rusty 100 series thread"

Curious to see how bad some of these rigs have gotten over the years

 

[JunkCrzr89]

Tough call, my vote is to replace them if you have the budget / time to do so.

If not in the budget, I say ride it out .

Agree, but you could also pull it off, wire wheel to bare metal (if rust isn't all the way through), and repaint.

 

[katit]

Agree, but you could also pull it off, wire wheel to bare metal (if rust isn't all the way through), and repaint.

Thats my plan..

 

[nukegoat]

It'll automatically add more flex for off-road adventures in the vehicles later life

 

[CBdeJ]

This pic makes me interested to create a "post your rusty 100 series thread"

Curious to see how bad some of these rigs have gotten over the years

Actually, it's not terribly rusty under mine. A bit of surface rust here and there -- this spot particularly where the AC drained. Even then the bolts for the torsion bars came right off.

 

[e9999]

looks like just surface rust under powdercoating. I imagine those are solid (not sure), in which case the rust should not be a problem. I would let them be. It's not like your rig will be fully incapacitated if it were to break. Heck, people are removing swaybars intentionally for better articulation.

 

[SlowBuild]

I’d not worry too much about the rust but instead judge by the eye wear at the ends. If the eyes have worn larger or the metal around them has worn thin then replace (or weld in material and repair - seems like a lot of work to me though). A ‘Mud search will tell you what the eye diameter should be. If it’s too big you’ll have extra play and wear out end links/bushings and possibly clunks. I know this has been discussed in detail but I can’t remember where.

Anyway, clean and paint them and then extend your ac drain.

And change your sway cushions too right next to that rust.

 

[SlowBuild]

This pic makes me interested to create a "post your rusty 100 series thread"

Ultimate Rust / Undercarriage Thread

So climbing under to grease today and thought...lots of threads on rust lately. Also thought the definition of what rust is varies from geographical location with in the USA. So noticing more and more rust questions from new buyers, I don't recall this type of thread. This may be helpful to...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[FxFormat]

That bar isn't hollow, rust isn't going to eat through it and break it. Remove it, sand it down and just repaint over it. I'm more worried about your sway bar bushing bracket, if those bolts break, it's going to be a bad day for you.

 

[CBdeJ]

I'm more worried about your sway bar bushing bracket, if those bolts break, it's going to be a bad day for you.

Bolts aren't bad but I've got new brackets and bolts anyway

 

[CBdeJ]

Sway bar end links done. I opted to replace the sway bars at the same time. Don't judge me because they are red . Nolathane (sister brand to whiteline) paints them that way. They were actually cheaper than stock swaybars in the end (from the local dealer) so I went for it. I figured they'd match my swayaway torsion bars and the Airlift 1000s at the back. I believe they are 30 mm at the front and 27 mm at the rear. They have made a pretty dramatic difference in terms of lean in corners and I look forward to seeing the change to the driving dynamics when I put the RTT on.

Sway