Hey there,

Have an issue trying to put everything back together. Is there a proper order to re-assembly?

I have new sway bar links, old sway bar, new sway bar bushings and old brackets. Trying to put everything back together is becoming quite a task for me.

Everything is pretty awkward as far as getting things to line up correctly and the sway bar is heavy enough to cause problems.

Is there a way to re-assemble with ease?

Do I go links first then bar, or bar then links?

Any insight would be quite helpful.
Thanks! - j

 

It doesn't matter what order you put them on.

 

Here, from the FSM (97-99)

STABILIZER BAR

INSTALLATION
(1) Inspect stabilizer bar bushings. Replace bushings
if cracked, cut, distorted, or worn.
(2) Position the stabilizer bar on the body rail and
install the bushings and clamps. Ensure the bar is
centered with equal spacing on both sides. Tighten
the bolts to 75 N·m (40 ft. lbs.).
(3) Install the links and grommets onto the stabilizer
bar and axle brackets.
(4) Tighten the link nuts at the axle bracket to 95
N·m (70 ft. lbs.).
(5) Tighten the link nuts at the stabilizer bar to 36
N·m (27 ft. lbs.).
(6) Remove the supports and lower the vehicle.

 

I just did this a few weeks ago, and added a stock rear sway bar. I too found it a little awkward to get everything in. I had no point of reference when I started because I had never seen one before, so I was even questioning things like which u-bolt does the bracket mount to. (Outer ones, if you didn't know.)

What I did was first install the leaf spring brackets, then end links, and tightened everything down nice and tight. I closed the "c" clamps where the bushings sit before installing the end links as they were pretty tough and I had to use a vice to help, however I didn't close them all the way so the sway bar would go in easier. I threaded the sway bar through, I believe from driver side to passenger side and kind of let it hang there while I inserted each end into end links. When both were in and everything lined up I installed the frame mount bushing onto the sway bar, then the frame brackets. When everything looked all lined up, go back to the end links, grab some vice grips to close up the "c" clamp on the end link and tighten it down. Done.

 

One thing to remember on the rear sway bar "Remove it and never REPLACE IT AGAIN" its worthless on or off-road.

For off-road use all it does is to hinder your suspension movement travel in the rear.

 

Fred is stating his opinion about swaybars, not a hard fact.

He's entitled, but don't take it as gospel.
There have been may threads on the forum about the pro's and con's of swaybars both on and offroad.

Let's try to stay on-topic for the new guy's sake.

 

Lets hear all the positive ones.......other than selling new parts for something not needed on the rear period. Except for a Police Package stock one and very few of those still in service

 

You are the only one that said anything about new parts.

Start from the original post and reread it and the replies that followed.

YOU jumped with an opinion that had NOTHING to do with the OP's question

Why do you feel the need to turn this thread into yet another arguement about swaybars?

 

Well, I managed.

First, I put the links on and hand tightened the bottom studs. This kept them from swaying. From there, I was able to maneuver the sway bar up and on the threaded ends of the links. Next got my sway bar bushing brackets to line up and hand tightened them on.

From there, I was able to button up the top of the link with the bushings, washers, and nuts.

Went back around a torqued them down - good to go!

Took it on a road test to grab a pizza, all is well. Got back , ate pizza drank beers and watched football.

I took me a few times to realize that if I got the bottom of the links somewhat tight, it would prevent them from 'swaying' while I was trying to align the sway bar.

I'm not much of a weight lifter, but that bar is kinda heavy and very awkward, when you're laying alone on the floor with that bar, hoping it doesn't drop drown and smack me in the face or drop and catch my neck. lol..



thanks ya'll - j