So I just replaced both my sway bar bushings, the links and the link bushings in December and the sway bar link bushings are already cracking. Full disclosure they are duralast, but I don't do any off roading and probably have only put 2000 miles on since I replaced them. Is duralast just that bad? Or is there something else causing the bushings to wear prematurely? For some 'average' quality sway bar link bushings, how long should they typically last with light use?
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​​​​​​2000 XJ

 

They should last a lot longer than that with light use.


#1 reason for premature failure would be over/under tightening during install.


Around here it would also appear a common reason for end link bushing problems is having a lift without having ever extended the links so that the angle of the swaybar and link connection is at too much of an angle and it causes uneven pressure on the bushings and breaks them (squeezes them out like a slipped disk).


Another reason, and it is a stretch, is that sometimes when you get a box of bushings for the XJ they have literally been on the shelf or warehouses for 15 years and the rubber is in bad shape. I had some like this, but even then they lasted quite a bit longer than 2000 miles.


I have a plain old rubber set on right now (AC Delco link kit) without extended links and about 1.5" lift and they have given me about 2 years and 45k miles and are just now needing one side replaced. And that is in terribly harsh conditions for rubber (serious salt zone here!) and some off-roading and camping.