Front Sway Bar

[xperienced]

I recently replaced all of the bushings on my front sway bar (under warranty) because the passenger side outter bushing was torn.  The bushing had actually slid out of position and was bearly working.  I went offroading this weekend and now I tore the new bushing!

Does anyone know what the problem is?  The truck just got aligned and I can't see anything that shifted or broke.  My only thought is that it might be caused a minor tire rub on the fender.  The torn area is difficult to see, but here it is.

[Bobby B.]

The stock rubber bushing is quite soft and can tear easily. 

On the other hand, using an aftermarket unit, like the energy suspension one, helps but the bracket material is crap.  I've torn through two of those.

My solution that's worked for a while with no ill-effects?  Use the energy suspension bushing in the stock bracket.  The stock bracket is touch and has the correct offset to fit correctly.  I've wheeled the snot out of it for almost two years like that. 

Of course now that I say it, it'll fail. 

[XterracerX]

Hey Bobby... I noticed that you replaced your bushings to the Energy Suspension type. I am planning on doing the same. Do you have the part numbers by any chance? Looks like they're special order or something according to NAPA.

Where did you get yours? And how much was the damage?

Thanks!

[Pigcat]

Experienced - the problem is that you're wheeling your truck    Like Bobby said the stock bushings tear/wear easily but the bracket is fairly strong.  Eventually the stock bracket will also fail.  But while the bracket is still holding get new energy bushings http://www.energysuspension.com/pages/swaybbct.html
The part number is 9.5169.  I buy them from Autozone for $21.99 a pair.  The energy bushings don't tear but the bracket will break.  I'm on my 6th set.  You will need to add washers to correct the offset that Bobby mentioned.

Fred - you will have to special order from Autozone but they get delivered in a couple days.
Tom 

[xperienced]

Wow, you guys are good!  That's the advice I was looking for.  I think I'm going to order the bushings right now... wait, I need money for that. 

Bobby- did you have trouble getting the bushings on the sway bar or in the stock bracket?

Thanks for all of the help!

[Bobby B.]

No problems that I can remember.  I ordered mine from an off road shop in HB, but only because I had a credit there.  Most autoparts stores can get them.  FYI the R or B at the end of ES part numbers just indicates red or black.

I can't remember for sure (because i think I got bushings of both styles) but they have a split that let you wrap them around the bar.  In the past, where that wasn't the case, I used silicone spray and a light syn grease in the tight spots and rolled them on a bit at a time.

[Pigcat]

There is a split in the bushing.  They also come with some lube  to help with the install.  Just use a pry-bar and pull out the sway bar a little and the bushing slides right in.  Mitch - any comments, concerns, observations?

[Soylent Yellow]

There is a split in the bushing.  They also come with some lube  to help with the install.  Just use a pry-bar and pull out the sway bar a little and the bushing slides right in.  Mitch - any comments, concerns, observations?

Lube and a pry-bar.  Those are pretty much your solutions for everything.

[Pigcat]

There is a split in the bushing.  They also come with some lube  to help with the install.  Just use a pry-bar and pull out the sway bar a little and the bushing slides right in.  Mitch - any comments, concerns, observations?

Lube and a pry-bar.  Those are pretty much your solutions for everything.

Mitch - I imagine in your drinking days you used the same strategy for many issues 

[Soylent Yellow]

It beats chewing your own arm off.

[XterracerX]

The part number is 9.5169.  I buy them from Autozone for $21.99 a pair. 
Fred - you will have to special order from Autozone but they get delivered in a couple days.
Tom 

Ok.. so this is 9.5169



What about these? Part number please? Looking to replace these as well...





Eventually come out like this...



Thanks for all the info! You guys are awesome!

[Bobby B.]

I don't have the part number, but I went for the shortest ones I could find.  I may cut them down a bit too, as they hit on full droop.

[superslidestyle]

I know Autozone, Pep Boys and such, sells the Energy Suspension bushings over the counter and in different sizes.  If the other OE bushing is still good, you can take it off ('cause you're gonna replace it anyways), take it with you inside the store and try to match one with the same bar diameter.  It's really a no brainer.

[XterracerX]

Here are the parts number:

For Sway Bar Bushings: 9.5169



For Sway Bar Endlinks: 9.8122



If you just want to replace the bushings only: 9.8105



Somehow the Autozone, Kragen & Pepboys stores are having trauma ordering from the parts catalog they carry. Makes me want to just drive up to San Clemente and get it there... sheesh!

[xperienced]

I am also having trouble ordering the parts.  I called Pepboys but they told me they don't sell energy suspension parts.  When I called autozone no one could find the part even though I gave them the part number.

I called Energy Suspension and told them I work in the industry and that I have a CA state automotive parts resale license and the guy still told me to go through autozone...