Sway bar bolts loose

[mattwill]

Hi all

This is probably a bit of a stupid question but here goes. I noticed the explorer was making a bad rattling sound in the front end like something was bouncing around. Climbed under the car and the bolts at either end of the front sway bar are seriously loose. As in the whole bolt is bouncing up and down a couple of inches!

Why would this be so? Like what would have caused them to come loose?

Also, would fixing this just be a matter of doing up the bolts and if so how tight do they need to be?

thanks

Matt

 

[jremington59]

About 30 foot pounds. Although when I change them I just draw them up till everything is touching and snug and give them another turn. Probably not recomended.

 

[mikepier]

Hi all

This is probably a bit of a stupid question but here goes. I noticed the explorer was making a bad rattling sound in the front end like something was bouncing around. Climbed under the car and the bolts at either end of the front sway bar are seriously loose. As in the whole bolt is bouncing up and down a couple of inches!

Why would this be so? Like what would have caused them to come loose?

Also, would fixing this just be a matter of doing up the bolts and if so how tight do they need to be?

thanks

Matt

Which bolts were loose, the U-brackets under the frame, or the end links on the lower control arms?

 

[mattwill]

The end links on the lower control arms. When I tried to tighten them I couldnt budge them, So I think maybe the bolts havent come loose but maybe there were rubber bushes there which have completely disintegrated and left play in the bolt.

There is rubber bush thingys on the "inside" at both ends but nothing between the nut and the lower control arm or between the head of the bolt and the sway bar.

Do you think I should just try and tighten the bolts up or does it need a new link kit with new bushes?

thanks

Matt

 

[mikepier]

The end links on the lower control arms. When I tried to tighten them I couldnt budge them, So I think maybe the bolts havent come loose but maybe there were rubber bushes there which have completely disintegrated and left play in the bolt.

There is rubber bush thingys on the "inside" at both ends but nothing between the nut and the lower control arm or between the head of the bolt and the sway bar.

Do you think I should just try and tighten the bolts up or does it need a new link kit with new bushes?

thanks

Matt

Your suppose to have in order:nut,washer,bushing,lower control arm, bushing,washer, and nut.

something like this

If the bushings are gone, you might as well replace the entire links. There not expensive, like $12 each at the local auto store.