Do you need to drop the sway bar itself to replace the bushings? The Haynes manual says to but I'd rather not if I don't have to.

 

Pull the four bolts out let it hang on the end links replace the bushings bolt it back up. It's that simple.

 

I'm only replacing the link bushings, the actual sway bar bushings look new. Why they would just replace them I don't know. Should I replace them even though they look new?

 

If their tight don't worry about it. If your doing the end links its unbolt turn the sway bar up replace bushings put sway bar back bolt it together.

 

Right on, thanks for the info.

 

You have to remove both side at the same time or your not gonna be able to lift the sway bar.

 

Bringing this old thread back to life with a highly noob-rated question. I am going to be doing this repair over the weekend and wanted advice on grease and lock-tight if necessary. The install instructions from Daystay (http://www.quadratec.com/sites/defau...ions/17045.pdf) mentions greasing certain areas. What kind of grease would everyone recommend for poly bushings, and is lock-tight needed on any of those bolts? Thanks in advance.

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I used this grease and no loc-tite, I just torqued the bolts down to spec.

Frame rail bolts torqued to 40 ft/lbs
Axle bracket link nut toqued to 70 ft/lbs (from NAXJA)
Top of link nut torqued to 27 ft/lbs

 

I just did my sway bar bushings and sway bar link bushings. 2 things. the sway bar brackets fit flush where all bolts were tightened except one, tried to align it perfectly a few times, but everytime the bolt closest the the rear drivers side would only tighten enough to leave a small maybe few millimeter gap from being flush to the frame. all other sides of the brackets fit flush is this okay to drive this way? and the top threaded parts of the sway bar links were bent towards the rear of the vehicle, so the bushings dont fit flush on the ends of the sway bar, so I tightened to instruction (until the bushings just started to compress)
Does this sound like a job well done given an old vehicle? or do I need to get some new sway bar brackets so they fit flush on all four sides? and should I replace the links soon as well due to the bend?

98 XJ Sport

 

True statement. The default bushings didn't fit my 91 Limited, had to reorder the larger diameter.

 

Several issues...The main torx head end link mount bolts should not be moved unless already loose they are factory secured in place so they don't come loose. The sway bars themselves are several different sizes...my 92 had a 15/16 bar and my 02 has a 26mm. best bet is to mic the bar to get the correct size. One of the poly suspension companies...energy suspension make a fabulous grease for the poly mounts. Its is like a thick sticky Vaseline but it doesn't get absorbed into the poly like a petroleum grease so it lasts much longer. My local speed shop had a pint can for 10 bucks...will probably last me forever

 

just for any future forum surfers, this is not true. I just went to replace the bushing on my limited based on this information and 28mm is too big.

 

Always, measure twice and buy them once!