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2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission MAXX Links Installed Today.....

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Hammer

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I'd like to first send some thanks to my fellow Mopar Enthusiast from here,Hemi Dart,for being the person to first show us these in an earlier post. I honestly never even would have looked twice at mine until he posted them awhile back and am now glad he did because mine were SHOT!.



I was out having some work done to the driveline of my ride and thats when I really looked underneath while she was in the air,trying to make a mental note of what needed attention for this years show season. While my truck was up I looked the sway bars and bushings over and the end links to see what,if any,needed to be done to them knowing what Bill found on his 94 recently. What I found answered some other questions I had and quite frankly I was shocked to see how bad I allowed them to get. The left sway bar end link was cocked at an crooked angle with the bushings flattened the same way and the right one was not much better.



I had to go back today to the shop for a few other minor details underneath on the driveline and while there I addressed the sway bar and end links. Doing the install of the MAXX Links was quite easy and the hardest part was taking the old ones out of the axle housing. A little coaxing with a Big hammer and out they came and thats when I found out how bad they really were. The left one was slipping in and out of the link as the ball-joint was so worn there was nothing left to keep it in and the link bushings were flattened. The right one was ready to pop out of its socket and it too had destroyed link bushings.



The install was easy,just disassemble the MAXX Link and slide the bottom mount into the tapered hole in the front axle and torque to 40ft lbs. All you need to do is make sure you keep the mount level while tightening and the rest is easy. With the truck on the lift I also installed Energy Suspensions Poly Greasable Sway Bar Bushings. To finish the MAXX link install we lowered the truck down almost to ride height and slipped the links and bushing into place from the new lower mount through the sway bar and tightened to MAXX's specifications. We then lowered the truck down and were finished and the install was so easy I was amazed.



What a difference in how the truck handled when I drove it home. It was way more stable going through the corners,didn't dip and dive,and handled the rough spots on the interstate alot better.



I owe Bill a BIG Thank You for showing them to us and would like to thank East Coast Diesel for all their help also with the recent projects. Its nice to know that when you need answers or help there are still some who enjoy our trucks enough to keep us rolling... ... ..... Andy
 
Here is a photo of the left side sway bar end link that came off of my truck. Now I know its has some 175,000 miles on it but I was really shocked to see ust how bad it was.
 
Here is a shot showing both links...

The one on the left side of the photo is the drivers side link and you can see how the ball is pulled out further. The one on the right is the passengers side and was very worn but was still intact. Both links show the effects of many years of street abuse on the bushings by seeing how distorted they are.



Also shown here is the sway bar bushing themselves. If you look at them you can see how egg shaped they have gotten over the years. Take note inside them at how rough the rubber has gotten and when they were removed pieces of them came off due to the wear patterns.
 
Here is a shot of the MAXX Link installed and in place. With my truck having the SkyJacker D-25 coils I used the kit made for the lifted suspension(SMX-1224L). It has allowed the sway bar to return to about where it was when the truck was at factory ride height. The MAXX Links are a easy to install product for our trucks and I am very happy with them... ... ... . Andy



P. S. -Now if I just can find an answer for the rear sway bar end links,doooohhh. And BEFORE you bust my stones Bill,just because I know you owe me one:-laf,YES,I DO need to get some cleaning and paint work done:-laf.
 
You must be gentle on your torsion bars:-laf



I think mine were replaced at about 80-100K, and are probably due for another replacement:( Less than a year after I replaced the front ones I actually got the rear ones to come apart. One of th ebolts holding the link onto th ebar was loose when I bought the truck and the hole was already eggshaped, I figure that means when I go to replace I might as well upgrade
 
man them shocks are filthy



Thanks Jim... . Grrrrrr... LOL.

I actually do have new ones ordered and they should be in next week. Before they get installed I am going to have the covered with the 3M sheeting to keep the external coating nice as I have tired of them getting all nasty since I drive the truck all year long



did you purchase them from a website or a parts store?



I got them from the local speed shop here in York. If you PM SFrey he will get you all fixed up with them as Scot got them for me.
 
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