I was putting some new brake pads on my 97 4runner today and found this piece broken. I know it goes to the sway bar but Im not sure how importatnt it is. It appears it has been broken for awhile. Probably broke it offroading sometime. I wanted to replace it so I went to the stealership and they want $100 for this piece. Ouch. I was wondering if I can get it any place else. I'm going to try posting a want ad here or try a junk yard. My other question is I just got new tires and was going to get an alignment tommorow. Does this piece affect alignment at all? Should i wait until after I replace the link to get the alignment done? Thanks for your thoughts Ray

 

You could try a local parts store for the link as it's not real important if the part is OEM or not. And no, the sway bar links are not tied into the alignment whatsoever. Your readings will be the same whether the part is intact or not.

 

Thanks

 

No problem...happy to help! Used to do alignments back in the day

 

I have taken my front sway bar off entirely. It is noticeable if I take corners quickly but I drive a 4Runner not a Civic so fast corners are less important to me than articulation. Also, for some reason when I broke the same link it was a bitch to find a new one, I finally found one at Napa Auto ~$40 cdn. Shortly after I broke the other one and said thats enough. To sum up in two words "road manners".

 

wabfab has quick disco's for 150 shipped. a whole lot better than the stealer price, and you can have the best of both worlds. im thinking about em, but i have a wtb ad in the classifieds too. well see. youll be fine - both of mine have been broken for over a year

 

x2 on the wabfab endlinks, they are stronger and adjustable for any lift. The stock endlinks that you broke are a weak link on third gen 4Runners and Tacomas. I Broke both of mine exactly like you broke yours, I don't quite know how I broke both, you would think when you break one it free the other one up but whatever. Bought the WABFAB ones for less then stock replacements and never had a problem.

 

dude you can get a pair of OEM's for 70 bucks on ebay


they help prevent roll in emergency turning situations
are really are needed. vehicle can't pass inspection without them

yes you can drive without them, but it will be squirrelly on highway ramps
and in town making turns

 

throw it away and dont look back....just drive it like a truck...not a racecar and you wont have any problems

 

yeah i rock no sway bars on both my 4runners... i dont drive fast because the 22re doesnt go fast...

 

They're nice to have while you're on-road. I would get the wabfab's. The stock ones are really flimsy and will probably break again.

 

I would fix them one way or another, anybody can drive carefully until the kid chases his ball out in front of you or some drunk comes accross the lane at you.... you never know.

 

I swore I already posted this somewhere... it was in your marketplace ad looking for one...

I would replace it, connected they keep my truck much more stable. sure you can get used to it without it, but it doesn't mean it doesn't matter

copied here again:

You can make a pretty inexpensive one by bolting on a piece of angle iron, and using standard end links with the bushings on both ends. You can get a GM end link by describing what you are looking for at parts counter, or a set in the aisles at AutoZone with "performance" red bushings.

This is also the way addco packages the sway bar end links with their new swaybars

 

I do sometimes drive the 4runner like a race car so i will replace it. In the meantime I'll take it easy and wont lose any sleep over it. I was looking at the other side and i think its bent funny too. Thanks for ideas Ray

 

just saw that wheelers (i think) has a pre-lengthened one for about the same price, and the whole middle section comes out. pretty similar to what wjwerdna posted, except its a qd. anyone run those? i thought wabfab was the only route for quick discos

 

crap, nm. its RB (4crawler) sorry.
http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...#DisconnectsV2

 

In response to all of the questions and answers about sway bar end links I can get them and ship them for $70 a pair to the lower 48. PM me if need thanks

 

Try rockauto.com that's where I've gotten them before for a good price.

 

For what its worth, I just did some forklift testing wiht my Runner, and disconnecting the rear sway bar makes no difference in rear flex. I had 18" from the ground to tire before and after disconnecting the rear bar. It makes a big difference on the street, the truck leans way more on corners without the bar hooked up. I will do some testing with the front bar to see if it makes a difference disconnected. I made some HD adjustablerear links and will be making some fronts also, and if it make a difference in the front with it disconnected I will make some quick disconnects.

My custom adjustable rear link (yes I did trim the top down a bit