long story short, my daughter borrowed the XJ and rear-ended someone. No frame damage but I had to replace both fenders, header and upgraded the bumper while I was at it. For good measure I brought it to the 4-wheel alignment shop and a after a minor adjustment everything was good. My only concern is the sway bar bushing on the drivers side but the passenger-side took most of the impact so should I be concerned?

 

Looks like that bushing is not right part

 

It was perfect before the accident, I had just installed them no more than 2 weeks prior. Also, in case anyone was wondering the hood, fenders and header lined up perfect before and after. I like to think I got lucky on this one, my daughter walked away with nothing but an abrasion from the airbags and some rattled nerves and my XJ took the hit like a champ.

 

Are there any pictures from that accident?

 

 

the bushing is right. Whats wrong is the bracket holding the bushing. It fits much more snug than in the pics. Compare it to the other side you will see what I mean. Really next time you go to the yard just pull a replacement. shot some grease in it till you can get a replacement, it will help in not tearing up the bushing.

 

Alright running under the assumption that it is the correct bushing then your mounting bracket has become deformed and your sway bar is likely a little behind where it should be on the driver's side.

 

correct bushing, correct bracket, it got deformed somehow due to the collision. I also noticed the sway bar link on the passenger side is closer to the coil spring than the drivers side. Again, no frame damage and numerous measurements taken confirm that. Just found that deformed bracket kinda odd and was looking for suggestions/advice. Thanks for all the input

 

Buy new brackets. From the pictures it looks like the bushing is to small. Doesn't look twisted or deformed at all.

 

Hammer and a vise ought to put that bracket back into the right "U" shape.

 

^This, the brackets are cheap (about $25 new, probably less than $10 at the junkyard) and easy to change (I'd probably replace the bushings too while you have it apart), I don't see any bends/kinks in the rail, probably just a damaged bracket.

 

You installed the new bushings and bracket, did the bushing fit nice and snug with no gaps

 

Main impact from the accident was on pass side. Is there a gap on the pass side sway bar

 

In the bushing I mean

 

I'd STRONGLY suggest taking it to reputable shop and having the unibody frame thoroughly inspected.