Sway Bar End Links Install.

Jgray152 · 12-10-2008, 06:36 PM

HI folks,

1998 Chevy C1500 4x4 Z71

I am in the process of installing some Energy Suspension Sway bar end links in the front of the vehicle because the original ones have rotted and fallen off. I Could careless for the fact that they have poly bushings. The autostore didn't have OE ones.

Now the problem im having is trying to compress the bushings enough so I can put the last bushing, washer and nut on. I have jacked up the trucks lower control arm but amazingly enough, that didn't do much at all. Infact, I didn't know till now that the truck has no springs in the front end. I thought that was a bit odd. I don't know this truck very well, I come from working on cars.

We recently got this truck but it needs work so I am a bit new to the mechanics of this particular vehicle

So what am I supposed to be doing when installing the sway bar end links. Is there a certain procedure im supposed to do? The Haynes manual doesn't tell me anything, "Installation is reverse" it always says.

Thanks

Kennyray · 12-10-2008, 08:40 PM

Leave one side loose then do the other side, It gives you some room to get things together.

Jgray152 · 12-10-2008, 08:45 PM

Both endlinks are missing so the other side is also disconnected.

Kennyray · 12-11-2008, 05:28 AM

lossen your bushings at the frame to get your end links on.

Jgray152 · 12-11-2008, 09:11 AM

I looked at that but it seems the Lower control arm sits right under the sway bar bushing mounts and I won't be able to get them off or loose enough without the control arm getting in the way.

That is if I use a wrench. The bolts are so rusted I may have use my impact on them which means I would have to take the control arms off.

I found a redneck way of doing it though, I hate this way but its the only way I could do it.

Use a deep 9/16" socket (size for the bolt for the end links) put two 9/16" nuts inside the socket and leave just enough room for the head of the bolt. Put the socket on the jack and use the jack to jack up the bolt and the control arm to compress that first bushing.

It worked alright but I still needed to bring the bolt up more or bring the end of the sway bar down.

So I ended up tieing a strapb around the end of the sway bar and control arm, then using a piece of round metal stock to twist the strap to compress the other bushings enough so I could get the nut on.

I shouldn't have to do this though, maybe its because im using a universal energy suspension kit which has the right spacing....

12-10-2008, 06:36 PM	#1
Jgray152 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 10	Sway Bar End Links Install. HI folks, 1998 Chevy C1500 4x4 Z71 I am in the process of installing some Energy Suspension Sway bar end links in the front of the vehicle because the original ones have rotted and fallen off. I Could careless for the fact that they have poly bushings. The autostore didn't have OE ones. Now the problem im having is trying to compress the bushings enough so I can put the last bushing, washer and nut on. I have jacked up the trucks lower control arm but amazingly enough, that didn't do much at all. Infact, I didn't know till now that the truck has no springs in the front end. I thought that was a bit odd. I don't know this truck very well, I come from working on cars. We recently got this truck but it needs work so I am a bit new to the mechanics of this particular vehicle So what am I supposed to be doing when installing the sway bar end links. Is there a certain procedure im supposed to do? The Haynes manual doesn't tell me anything, "Installation is reverse" it always says. Thanks

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12-10-2008, 08:40 PM	#2
Kennyray Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 648	Leave one side loose then do the other side, It gives you some room to get things together.

12-10-2008, 08:45 PM	#3
Jgray152 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 10	Both endlinks are missing so the other side is also disconnected.

12-11-2008, 05:28 AM	#4
Kennyray Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 648	lossen your bushings at the frame to get your end links on.

12-11-2008, 09:11 AM	#5
Jgray152 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 10	I looked at that but it seems the Lower control arm sits right under the sway bar bushing mounts and I won't be able to get them off or loose enough without the control arm getting in the way. That is if I use a wrench. The bolts are so rusted I may have use my impact on them which means I would have to take the control arms off. I found a redneck way of doing it though, I hate this way but its the only way I could do it. Use a deep 9/16" socket (size for the bolt for the end links) put two 9/16" nuts inside the socket and leave just enough room for the head of the bolt. Put the socket on the jack and use the jack to jack up the bolt and the control arm to compress that first bushing. It worked alright but I still needed to bring the bolt up more or bring the end of the sway bar down. So I ended up tieing a strapb around the end of the sway bar and control arm, then using a piece of round metal stock to twist the strap to compress the other bushings enough so I could get the nut on. I shouldn't have to do this though, maybe its because im using a universal energy suspension kit which has the right spacing....