I have just found out that one of the brackets that clamps the rear sway bar to the axle as broken off and as a result, worn my bushings down on one side. Well after a trip to my local Toyota dealer, I have managed to order a new bracket and rubber gromet, which I am gonna fit on Thursday when they come in.

Since my bushings are worn down I was thinking of replacing them with some new Energy Suspension ones eash side. How hard are they to fit and did anyone have trouble removing the top nuts off as mine seem to be pretty much rusted on there?

Any advice would be great

Thanks

Luke

 

Luke, is this the bracket here that broke on you?



Or the brackets that are underneath on the bar itself?
The bottom ones are pretty easy to work with it you loosen everything up.

The one in my picture I had to buy a wrench for. I did not have the proper mm wrench for it.
A Snap On truck use to come through Boeing every few weeks or so, and the guy actually loaned me the tool first to see if it would fit!
Caught up with him later that day and paid him for it.

Most of my tools a few years ago I had were American. But now I have a pretty good collection of metric which the Toyota needs.
The correct size wrench for the part in my picture is 12mm.

I ordered those from NWOR who I won't deal with anymore. It's a shame they are in my state too as WA. state has a lot of nice off road shops.
NWOR gets low points in my book for customer service.

Putting the poly on seemed to help it a bit in the corners.
I have poly up front too.

 

Hey Corey, no the bracket that I have broken is underneath and locks the sway bar to the Axle. There is one each side but I have only broken one. I guess it has been broken for a little while as there are no sings of clean metal and where the break is it is all rusty. But after getting under there today and having a good look I figure I can replace it myself and save some money.

I see in your picture that your threads are in good shape, did you have to clean em off before unbolting the nut?

Cheers

Luke

PS any other ideas where I could buy em from?

 

Try getting a hold of Central 4WD.

I buy a lot of gear from them. It's also nice though that they are a 10 to 15 minute drive from me.
They have several stores, and an 800 order line so they can ship to you.

The nut on top there came off real easy. The only rust I have ever seen on my rig is here.

And that is the two hose clamps for the gas tank filler. No rust on the actual rig itself.
If yours are crusty, try soaking them with some penetrating oil for a few days before cracking them off.
Corey

 

Thanks for the link Corey! I guess Im gonna have to get that can of WD40 out over the next couple of days!


Luke