spacers on sway bar ends question

[turner]

question about the spacers on the end of sway bars. the links? i am replacing the factory stuff i think. and the kit i got the spacers are much shorter they are 5/8 of an inch in length and the ones on the truck now are a little over aninch . so does it matter at all? anything to look for to make sure its fine? thanks tim

[AZhitman]

Hey Tim -

Those 'spacers' are directly related to the "rate" of the bar (how much tension it applies).

Here's the deal - Your factory ones are rubber, and compress easily, so a longer 'spacer' is fine. I'm guessing the replacements are urethane, which means they're a little thicker, and not as easy to compress... SO, in order for you to be able to get the nut on, the 'spacer' needs to be shorter.

You're all good - Enjoy the improved handling on that ol' truck!

[turner]

awesome, thanks again.

[turner]

well i have not gotten to the end links yet. i bought NAPA bushings. and on the sway bar bushings clamping onto the frame they seem too big, the shackle will not line up so far with the other bolt hole. whats the deal, i have tried all kind of vice clamping angles, channel locks, should i just grind off some of bushing to make room? its so darn simple but its not happening, P-ing me off.

[Rev_D21]

Got any pics of the new one versus the old one?

[turner]

to send a picture(s) i clicked on the Img, and nothing popped up. Is there another action to upload a picture on here?

[turner]

also while i figure out how to send the pix, i noticed the bushings exterior looks almost the same, but the hole is much smaller on the new one. which makes sense as it isn't worn.

[AZhitman]

Are you trying to install them with the weight off the front wheels?

Pics will help. Just show us where you're saving your pics and we'll walk you through the process - it's easy.

[turner]

ok. the url at photobucket is:

http://s1189.photobucket.com/user/jenky ... t=3&page=1

[turner]

i tried to edit and it didn't work with URL, anyway, i did not take weight off the front wheels, the wheels are on the ground.

[AZhitman]

[AZhitman]

I see what you mean from this pic... Rev_D21, any ideas?

[turner]

A mechanic who worked on my truck when i bought it says he uses a heat gun to soften the bushings sometimes. i don't have a heat gun, but he recommended to boil them. figure i will give it a go.

[turner]

with some serious finagling for me they fit with no boiling.

and the MOOG end link bushings kit, hand tightening the nut on the bolt it would only screw down until even with the tip of the bolt, no further could i hand tighten down. and installed on the truck there were only a couple threads on the bolt to grab the nut. and tightening down until a few threads above the nut. the original bolt had a half sticking out above the nut when tightened. so what i have now makes me a little nervous. it stopping short while hand tightening makes me think it is to aid in the nut locking down better.

http://s1189.photobucket.com/upload?loc ... 20bushings

anyway, thanks for the help for such a novice job.

[Rev_D21]

Well I am late to the party. Those poly bushings can be a pain since the don't compress by hand at all. I wouldn't heat them. Anyways I know this is too late but here's a vid of replacing 4x4 sway bar bushings on YT.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDsPvF3J1GM[/youtube]