Urithane Rear Sway Bar Endlink HOW TO INSTALL

[Igor]

Hey Guys,

I am just on the tail end of a total suspension bushing change (entire car inc. steering rack). Only thing I have left is to press in the rear endlink bushings....

I have lot of tools, press, etc. Like I said I did the rest of the car pretty easy. But these little guys got me stumped. How can I press them in? They seem bigger then the steel sleeve they are supposed to go in. Caliper says so. That's the thinner, inside part. The lip is of course a lot bigger. If I cut them in half and try to go from each side (like the bigger bushings), still too big.

Any clue? I have 2 sets of brand new endlink bushings so can afford to destroy 1 set before I figure it out. I would rather not.

Thanks,

Igor.

 

[So Bay Vetter]

Is your issue getting them thru the sway bar? They fit inside the end links, not thru them. Bush. goes thru sway bar,then fits inside end link. The bolt goes thru the end link and the bushing.

View attachment 19869

I made this image to deal with using a longer bolt so the threads don't FU the bolt hole. "A" is old bolt config. "D" is new bolt config. Hope this helps.

 

[Schrade]

Is your issue getting them thru the sway bar? They fit inside the end links, not thru them. Bush. goes thru sway bar,then fits inside end link. The bolt goes thru the end link and the bushing.

View attachment 19869

I made this image to deal with using a longer bolt so the threads don't FU the bolt hole. "A" is old bolt config. "D" is new bolt config. Hope this helps.

That's a good idea.

@OP; if you do have to hack the bolts, put a nut on BEFORE you hack - and unscrew it while the cut threads are hot. It'll be harder to cross-thread when goin' back on with the nut...

 

[Igor]

Hey guys,

My bushings are different. They don't come with their own metal sleeve. I suspect I must reuse the stock one.

My car is 85 z51.

My issue is not with bolt length. But fitting the new bushings inside the stock metal sleeve.

 

[So Bay Vetter]

Might be a different setup. Can you post a pic?

 

[Igor]

I ended up pressing them in with my press. Was def. a PITA, but got done. Needed to fab a guide to get them in there.
Had 2 brands, energy susp. and prothane. Prothane seemed to be a bit looser fit and went in


Thanks a lot for the help

 

[WhalePirot]

2 brands, energy susp. and prothane. Prothane seemed to be a bit looser fit and went in

Prothanes are more 'engineered'; slightly more compliant, according to my chassis expert.