NHarris
Explorer Addict
- Joined
- May 31, 2010
- Messages
- 3,338
- Reaction score
- 7
- City, State
- Gillette, Wyoming
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 04 Wrangler, 08 Ranger
I know most probably know how to do this, but for the sake of those that are not as mechanically inclined as others, hopefully this will help.
So I got tired of my squeaking front end. It was getting too noisy and sounding horrible. So I went down to NAPA auto parts to get some replacements. They cost $20.00 for the 2. I have yet to test em out, but I packed these full of grease everywhere I could. So here's the pics
3/8" Drive, 15mm deep socket, 15mm shallow socket, a shorter extension; 1/2" drive ratchet, 15mm socket
MAKE SURE to measure the swaybar diameter by either; using a micrometer or using the adjustable wrench (which I used). Just have to tighten the wrench to the sway bar diameter, then back it off very slightly (just enough to get it off). Then measure the distance between the two "prongs". If you have to convert from inches to millimeters, should be about 1" 4/18 if you have the 31mm swaybar.
If you used another method to measure your sway bar; post up that method.
I should've snapped a few more pics, but I didn't want to ruin my camera when my hands had grease all over em.
All captions for the pics are ABOVE the pictures
First, locate the swaybar bushing, find the 2 15mm bolts, one on the front, one on of back, this pic shows the one on the back.
Start to loosen these bolts. You will find a 15mm deep socket will work at first, but then you will need to switch off to the shallow socket.
When both are taken off, the bracket will still stick to the bushing. It will take some slight force to take it off. After that is taken off this is what you will see...
Slide this to the left and then where it splits, lift on both sides of the split and remove it.
Now compare the two bushings, make sure you have the same diameter hole. I had the 31mm sway bar. If you have too big of a diameter even by a few millimeters you'll get a clunking noise
I greased everything under the sun on these parts. From the bracket to the bushing. I don't ever want to hear this thing squeak again!
To reinstall, just take the new bushing, you'll have to get dirty here to get it back on, but put your hands inside of the bushing and lift (pushing towards the spilt) and then push in onto the sway bar in a similar loaction, then slide back to the location its supposed to be at.
Then reinstall the bracket and as you can see I have grease all over the bushing. Repeat for the passenger side.
Why I say use a 1/2" drive ratchet on this write-up, is the passenger side is very difficult to re-install. There is little room and not much leverage to tighten it up. Some advice: turn your wheels all the way to the left, and use the larger 1/2" ratchet to tighten it up.
Torque THE BOLTS to 52 Ft-Lbs
Questions, comments, are all welcomed. If I forgot to mention anything on this, let me know.
I will report back on how well this works out and if my squeaky front end is gone. Lets hope it is.
So I got tired of my squeaking front end. It was getting too noisy and sounding horrible. So I went down to NAPA auto parts to get some replacements. They cost $20.00 for the 2. I have yet to test em out, but I packed these full of grease everywhere I could. So here's the pics
3/8" Drive, 15mm deep socket, 15mm shallow socket, a shorter extension; 1/2" drive ratchet, 15mm socket
MAKE SURE to measure the swaybar diameter by either; using a micrometer or using the adjustable wrench (which I used). Just have to tighten the wrench to the sway bar diameter, then back it off very slightly (just enough to get it off). Then measure the distance between the two "prongs". If you have to convert from inches to millimeters, should be about 1" 4/18 if you have the 31mm swaybar.
If you used another method to measure your sway bar; post up that method.
I should've snapped a few more pics, but I didn't want to ruin my camera when my hands had grease all over em.
All captions for the pics are ABOVE the pictures
First, locate the swaybar bushing, find the 2 15mm bolts, one on the front, one on of back, this pic shows the one on the back.
Start to loosen these bolts. You will find a 15mm deep socket will work at first, but then you will need to switch off to the shallow socket.
When both are taken off, the bracket will still stick to the bushing. It will take some slight force to take it off. After that is taken off this is what you will see...
Slide this to the left and then where it splits, lift on both sides of the split and remove it.
Now compare the two bushings, make sure you have the same diameter hole. I had the 31mm sway bar. If you have too big of a diameter even by a few millimeters you'll get a clunking noise
I greased everything under the sun on these parts. From the bracket to the bushing. I don't ever want to hear this thing squeak again!
To reinstall, just take the new bushing, you'll have to get dirty here to get it back on, but put your hands inside of the bushing and lift (pushing towards the spilt) and then push in onto the sway bar in a similar loaction, then slide back to the location its supposed to be at.
Then reinstall the bracket and as you can see I have grease all over the bushing. Repeat for the passenger side.
Why I say use a 1/2" drive ratchet on this write-up, is the passenger side is very difficult to re-install. There is little room and not much leverage to tighten it up. Some advice: turn your wheels all the way to the left, and use the larger 1/2" ratchet to tighten it up.
Torque THE BOLTS to 52 Ft-Lbs
Questions, comments, are all welcomed. If I forgot to mention anything on this, let me know.
I will report back on how well this works out and if my squeaky front end is gone. Lets hope it is.