Do I need longer sway bar links with a lift kit?
Do I need longer sway bar links with a lift kit?
If you are adding a lift kit to your Jeep you will need to install longer sway bar link pins. This is because the distance from the suspension to the sway bar will change. If you do not then the positioning of the sway bar will not be correct, or the links will not reach at all.
Are sway bar links necessary?
A worn-out sway bar link must be replaced to keep your vehicle safe. The answer is no, however your mechanic may recommend replacing both sway bar links because both links usually wear at the same rate and if one is bad, the other may go soon too.
How to install a new sway bar link?
Install the new sway bar link with the washer and bushing pre-installed. This can go on two different ways, either insert the bolt from the bottom through the control arm or from the top through the sway bay.
Where is the jack stand on a sway bar?
Once the vehicle is raised, place a jack stand in a secure position on the suspension arm where the sway bar link is attached and lower the vehicle onto it. This is important because the sway bar is a load bearing part. Setting the jack stand in this way compresses the suspension and relieves the pressure from the sway bar link.
How is the sway bar connected to the wheel?
This pushes up on the right lower control arm which, because it’s connected to the sway bar through the end link, pushes up on the end of the bar. This twisting motion in the sway bar is translated to the left side of the vehicle, pulling it down and holding the wheel to the ground through the corner.
When to know if your sway bar link is bad?
Car stabilizer’s bushings and links are relatively easy to test. When checking for damage, you’ll see evidence that the sway bar is barely ever the matter, the difficulty is typical with the sway bar bushing and sway bar links, you’ll be able to notice this as early as 60,000 miles.
How are sway bar links connected to suspension?
A sway bar is connected via rubber bushings to the car body or frame in the middle. Outer ends of the sway bar are connected to the parts of the vehicle suspension that holds the wheel (struts or control arms). The part that connects the outer ends of the sway bar to the suspension component is called a sway bar link.
What are the ball joints on a sway bar?
The part that connects the outer ends of the sway bar to the suspension component is called a sway bar link. In most cars a sway bar link has two small ball joints at each end. Over time, the sway bar link ball joints wear out. The first sign of a worn-out sway bar link is a knocking noise from the suspension when driving slow over road bumps.
Why are the links on my front sway bar squeaking?
Ungreased frame bushings can begin squeaking prematurely. Old-style end links that haven’t been changed in a number of years will probably be rusty. To make removal of the links easier, cut them in the middle of the link with a grinding wheel, often called a “whizzer wheel”.
What do I need to remove front wheel drive sway bar?
Remove the nuts holding the sway bar link to the bar and control arm. Remove the link. Link removal on some front-wheel-drive cars will require a ¼-inch Allen wrench to keep the bolt from spinning.
