sway bar shifting

[jvandyke]

I had a glunk. It ended up being sway bar ends but I first went after the sway bar bushings and opened a can of worms. I went to NAPA and the ones they gave me I couldn't get them bolted in for love or money, took it the shop I use when I give up, they determined they were in fact the wrong bushings, put in different ones and later that day it clunked like crazy and I found the bar was way off center and smacking the frame. They fixed. Later that day it clunked and clanged, the bushing had worked out from under the holder. Now I've had it with the pros so I recenter it but the one tough bolt under the steering rack won't come out, partially stripped head. I recenter by loosening the rest and forcing the bar over, tightened all back up, good. Steering wheel slightly off center. I string align it. Better, a couple hundred miles later I hear the clunk again the bar is back over off center and smacking the frame. Thoughts? I HATE taking my car in and won't go back to the shop I've used for 25 years because they really screwed the pooch last time around. I'm thinking of putting OEM bushings back in (they were fine and I still have them.....I think) but that one bolt isn't coming out without dropping the sub frame or taking out the rack or something drastic. I just can't figure out what would cause the sway bar to eventually float out of center. It feels good going down the road although a bit twitchy sometimes. I ended up with close to zero toe and I'm not sure that's good. Don't know spec but it may want a little toe-in? So, yep, what would you do?

[KevinK2]

Originally Posted by jvandyke I had a glunk. It ended up being sway bar ends but I first went after the sway bar bushings and opened a can of worms. I went to NAPA and the ones they gave me I couldn't get them bolted in for love or money, took it the shop I use when I give up, they determined they were in fact the wrong bushings, put in different ones and later that day it clunked like crazy and I found the bar was way off center and smacking the frame. They fixed. Later that day it clunked and clanged, the bushing had worked out from under the holder. Now I've had it with the pros so I recenter it but the one tough bolt under the steering rack won't come out, partially stripped head. I recenter by loosening the rest and forcing the bar over, tightened all back up, good. Steering wheel slightly off center. I string align it. Better, a couple hundred miles later I hear the clunk again the bar is back over off center and smacking the frame. Thoughts? I HATE taking my car in and won't go back to the shop I've used for 25 years because they really screwed the pooch last time around. I'm thinking of putting OEM bushings back in (they were fine and I still have them.....I think) but that one bolt isn't coming out without dropping the sub frame or taking out the rack or something drastic. I just can't figure out what would cause the sway bar to eventually float out of center. It feels good going down the road although a bit twitchy sometimes. I ended up with close to zero toe and I'm not sure that's good. Don't know spec but it may want a little toe-in? So, yep, what would you do?

get heater hose or rad hose, with ID close to OD of bar. Make two rings about 1/2" wide. Mount on the bar, to the inside of each bushing, with bar centered. Clamp in place with hose clamps. Search this forum for bushings, for more info. SEARCH OFTEN !