Front Sway Bar Stabilizer or possible ball joint issue .

[sgtsandman]

You need to take the weight off the suspension to change the ball joint and the upper control arms. Just don’t fully tighten everything up until you have full vehicle weight on the suspension. Just snug them up.

The upper arms often have adjustment cams on the bolts. So try to put them back where you found them when installing the new control arms and get an alignment to make sure it’s correct or your truck could start eating tires.

The sway bar end links are easy, a nut, bolt, sleeve, some washers, and the bushings. Getting the old ones off can be a bear if you don’t have a sawsall or an angle grinder with a cut off wheel. Again, don’t fully tighten the end links until the truck suspension is full supporting the weight of the truck. It will seem like it’s taking forever to get them to full torque if you are just using hand tools. I forget what the torque is but it isn’t a lot 20 or 30 foot pounds.

 

[Josh B]

Raising a vehicle can be risky and dangerous. It includes jacks, jack stands, pads for each, chock blocks for the wheels and a knowledge of using them. You really need a level and stable place to do this type stuff. Only you can make that call but I recommend having somebody there to help and guide you through at least the first time

It isn't rocket science, just can't be done blindly, you cleared a big hurdle when you mentioned straight up and down

 

[qkcam]

Ok I got the courage to order sway bar bushings - I have it all disassembled. The old one with the all the bushings came out like a breeze. The side with missing bushings awas more difficult. while I was underneath (didnt need to lift it ) I saw the bolts for the bushings that hold the sway bar in place on the frame and thought .. what the heck!

taking the entire bar off made it easier to sawzall through the stuck on sway bar rod.

Now I am going to reassemble. While I am under there I am also looking at the upper control arms and it doesn't seem to difficult.. I need to finish this first!

Do I need to put some kind of grease on those bushings.? I have some marine grease and I have some silicon grease. I have no idea about the grease for these components.

Also the suspension stabilizer bar bushings are a tad small. 27.36mm vs 26.9 I hope that is in the ball park !

any ideas? thanks for all your support! I will post before and after pictures

Amazon.com

Amazon.com

 

[sgtsandman]

Ok I got the courage to order sway bar bushings - I have it all disassembled. The old one with the all the bushings came out like a breeze. The side with missing bushings awas more difficult. while I was underneath (didnt need to lift it ) I saw the bolts for the bushings that hold the sway bar in place on the frame and thought .. what the heck!

taking the entire bar off made it easier to sawzall through the stuck on sway bar rod.

Now I am going to reassemble. While I am under there I am also looking at the upper control arms and it doesn't seem to difficult.. I need to finish this first!

Do I need to put some kind of grease on those bushings.? I have some marine grease and I have some silicon grease. I have no idea about the grease for these components.

Also the suspension stabilizer bar bushings are a tad small. 27.36mm vs 26.9 I hope that is in the ball park !

any ideas? thanks for all your support! I will post before and after pictures

Amazon.com

Amazon.com

Use silicone grease. Regular petroleum based grease tends to swell the bushing material and make it squeak. The squeaking will drive you nuts.

 

[qkcam]

sorry for the stupid question.. like this ? an old container I found

or like this ?

Super Lube 4 oz. Silicone Oil Bottle 56104 - The Home Depot

www.homedepot.com

or something else ?
thanks!

 

[ericbphoto]

I use Superlube.

 

[sgtsandman]

I agree the super lube or a silicone based brake grease, which I think the one you posted is.

 

[qkcam]

the original sway stabilizer bar bushings seem to be in good shape still but I guess the ID gets worn over time.

 

[sgtsandman]

the original sway stabilizer bar bushings seem to be in good shape still but I guess the ID gets worn over time.

That they do. If you can move the bar around in the bushing while it’s mounted, it’s worn out and needs changed.

 

[qkcam]

i got it all put back together.. I have health issues that greatly impact my energy levels. Good progress thanks to everyone's help and encouragement here!
my memory isn't anything like it used to be . I hope I didnt put the stabilizer bar on upside down ? I took before pics but the angles weren't helpful .

I just need to tighten all the nuts - tomorrow. then wednesday I will move it around the block for street sweeping on thursday and I will see how it drives

 

[qkcam]

That they do. If you can move the bar around in the bushing while it’s mounted, it’s worn out and needs changed.

oh! I did put the new bushings on. when tightening the bracket around bushings how much up and down movement should there be on the stabilizer bar? thanks!

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

i got it all put back together.. I have health issues that greatly impact my energy levels. Good progress thanks to everyone's help and encouragement here!
my memory isn't anything like it used to be . I hope I didnt put the stabilizer bar on upside down ? I took before pics but the angles weren't helpful .

I just need to tighten all the nuts - tomorrow. then wednesday I will move it around the block for street sweeping on thursday and I will see how it drives

Looks good. There should be no movement once everything is tight.

 

[Josh B]

Awesome qkcam! Be careful there what you do, never shortchange the steering, and of course be ever careful working under there

 

[qkcam]

I was able to squeeze under the truck..actually there was plenty of room even parked on the street.
Had medical appts today so I haven't yet had a chance to tighten everything down. I am still going to take it n to have an inspection on the suspension and steering.

Good thing i replaced the stabilizer bushings becasue I was able to move the bar up and down while taking out the old sway bar rods .

will it tighten firm even with the silicon grease? sorry for so many questions.
you all are lifesavers! Much appreciation!

 

[Josh B]

if you need a bit more oomph! behind some of those bolts put a cheater pipe onto your ratchet. Here's one I use in my yard bag, not sure where it came from, I flattened one end a bit

Actually that was an extra extension for a ceiling fan