Middle of job.. little help here, please.

[chefduane]

So I've got the rear end links out of my '98 XLT and also have the rear sway bar out. I can probably get the existing sway bar bushings off the existing bar BUT, how do I get the new ones on?? The bushings are 1 piece design and there is virtually no way I am going to be able to get on over the bar eyelet. The old bushing I can deform enough or cut them to get them off, but the new ones are much stiffer and I don't think I can deform them enough to get them over the eyelet. Am I missing something here? Is there a way to slip them over the eyelet that I am not understanding. I'm sitting here in the middle of the job and could use some sage advice!
Thanks!

 

[MrQ]

You could try heating them up before sliding them on.

 

[chefduane]

Crisis averted! While I was there sitting swearing about how to get them on my amazing wife came out and asked what all the ruckus was about. I explained the situation and she thought for a moment, left, and came back with a tube of some stuff called XY or KZ jelly or somesuch(!) She suggested I lube up the bar and bushing and try to get them over the eyelet. Well the stuff worked like a charm! The bushing slid right on like it was made to! Thanks to the wife! (And she is quite amazing.. 15 year cancer survivor and published author, owns her own successful candy business - 10 employees.)
So on to finishing the job...

 

[Turdle]

KY jelly is everybody's friend

 

[chefduane]

Finished the job. Just got back from a test drive. Much less sway as compared to previous. Nice and tight in the rear. (Wonder if it has anything to do with the KY.)
Now on to front sway bar bushings, Moog front end links with ES bushings, and Moog outer tie rod ends. But that is for another day. Cigar time beckons.

 

[WoodyEdmiston]

Now, if you really want to stop the sway...get the bar out of an Expedition, heat the ends and bend them out a little and get the Energy Suspension bushings for an Expedition. (1.3/8" bar)

 

[swshawaii]

Need to get rid of the stock 19mm (3/4") rear FIRST. Replace with the 1 1/8" EE X-Spec, Addco 633, or Hellwig 7648 both 1".

 

[chefduane]

I think I'll be sticking with the stock front and rear. F&R end links, F&R sway bar bushings, new shocks all the way around (coil overs on the rear) should give me pretty solid suspension for a while. Had a new rack/pinion setup installed last month and with the outer tie rod links and new front hubs the front end should be solid. Did both u-joints sometime back and changed the xfer case fluid and rear diff fluid and cover. A $2k tranny rebuilt in March also. At this point I'm running out of things to do!

 

[swshawaii]

Excellent Duane, your high mileage XLT is in good hands. Stay posted on the Moog/ES front end links. IMO, BEST cheap mod EVER.

 

[chefduane]

Will do. I'm off a few days next week and my intent is to tackle the bushings, links, hubs, and tie rod ends if they arrive in time. I think all that will take a day or two and I'd like to seek some input about the sequence of doing things. I know I will have to remove the hubs first so I am thinking about doing those last. That is... get it up on stands, pull the calipers/mounts/dust shields off, pull the hubs off, do the bushings and end links, then the tie rod ends, then put the new hubs on, grease gun as needed, button everything up and do a test drive, then go get an alignment. Do y'all think that is doable in one day? I have air tools so that will help some. Any input on sequence of items? Any advice from anyone would be much appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[Flash]

The usual thing to do is use slippery soapy water or rubber grease.

KY is a water based lubricant so it's safe to use on rubber parts.