I have a question about a broken suspension part

[337]

I have been having strange clunking noises lately when going over the occasional bump. Well, it seems that I broke the plastic bar that attaches to the end of the sway bar and connects to the strut on the front driver's side. If any one knows what I am talking about, what is the appropriate name?

How would I go about replacing this? This bar is still attached to the stut itself, but where it connects to the swaybar, it has completely disintegrated.

My SLO has metal ones in place of the plastic ones used on the SHO, and I was thinking of swapping them into the SHO. Is there a special procedure to doing this, and how does it connect to the sway bar? Clamps?, push on?

If anyone can help, It would be very much appreciated.

Lee

 

[projectSHO89]

That is the front sway bar end link.

About 25 bucks each.

There have been recent posts about replacing them, use the SEARCH feature.

The plastic ones are reportedly better than the OEM metal ones....

Steve

 

[SHOTIME]

Sway bar link.

Its a 45 dollar part from Ford. and the plastic ones are actually the "Heavy duty" ones.

Its a fairly quick swap if you can get the bolts loose. Start with the PB Blaster now.

(Bolts are 18mm and 8mm )

 

[337]

Thanks for the replies, So I'll be off to by a new one tomorrow.

Thanks again,

Lee

 

[pjtoledo]

337:
Thanks for the replies, So I'll be off to by a new one tomorrow.

Thanks again,

Lee

The remains of the broken plastic one may be removed by any means possible, giant pliers, hammer, whatever. If you have a corrosion problem and the 18mm nuts are stuck, just break off the plastic to expose the "ball ends" Then put a pipe wrench on the balls keep the works from rotating. Some of the balls have an 18mm surface on the back-side of the bracket. What is an "occasional bump"??? Over here in Toledo the roads are more like "the occassional smooth", with bumps being the normal.

Perry Toledo,Ohio

<small>[ July 01, 2002, 11:20 PM: Message edited by: pjtoledo ]</small>

 

[SuperG]

Lee, I just replaced the left sway bar end link 2 weekends ago. Here's how I did it:

The part was $43 at Ford and is made of Delrin. I jacked the car up with the standard jack. After I removed the tire, I put another jack under the strut to prevent the spring from pushing the assembly down. After struggling, I was able to remove the first nut, but then I had to cut the bottom nut...it took 10 blades on an electric saw to get through that crazy thing. I then used 2 nuts for the replacement, since they were not locking nuts, nor did I have a locking compound. The second nut should lock the first in place. I also used a washer between the 1st nut and assembly.

Anyway, it's still there and is as silent as ever...not bad for $43!