2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Sway bar link problems

[TSPowell]

I just attempted to replace the links on my truck and have been fighting it for almost 2 days now. I installed the links to the axle brackets first so they would compress the bushings in a vertical line. I have the old style sway bar where the links connect above the bar to the axle. This made aligning the links and the sway bar holes IMPOSSIBLE. I tried loosening the bar at the frame to give me some play but that didn't work either. So I removed everything, attached the links to the bar then installed to the axle brackets. The angle is horrendous!!. I tightened the nuts and it smashed the rubber bushings at an angle that pretty much makes them ineffective. It also bent my new links because it was trying to straighten itself as i tightened the nut. It looks like the sway bar wasn't made for this truck, but everybody else seems to have the same problem so i know its the right one.

The sway bar pushes the links back and in, they are NOWHERE near vertical!

I'm thinking about making new holes in the sway bar so the links are vertical.

Has anyone tried this with success???

Please post some pictures too!!



The first picture shows how far back the bar pushes the links, which compresses the bushing at an angle.

You can send the bend in my new links in the second pic.



HELP!:{



https://www.turbodieselregister.com...ansmission-1994-1998/50364-sway-bar-link.html

This post shows the same issue, I posted on there but never heard an end result making new holes in the sway bar.

 

[USMCBay]

I need to hear more about this - I have to do this within the next few days.



Where did you get your sway bar end links from?

 

[RHestand]

TSPowell,

IMO, the sway bar is made from very hard metal (temp. steel), and will probably be very hard to drill without special bits.

As another option, can you re-drill your frame and mount your bar farther forward?

Ray

 

[Hammer]

TS...

If you drop Bill(HemiDart) a PM he will tell you what he did to fix his. The posts he did on the early bar on his truck like yours was very informative. I had forgotten that the early trucks had different sway bar mounts than the one on mine... ... . Andy

 

[fest3er]

This may have nothing at all to do with the problem, but I figgered I'd toss it in anyway. Is the ride height of the vehicle the same as it was when new, or at least fairly close? Springs can weaken over time, resulting in the frame sitting an inch or more lower, which will change the stabiliser geometry, causing exactly the problems illustrated here.

If the ride height is factory, forget I said anything.

 

[TSPowell]

I need to hear more about this - I have to do this within the next few days.



Where did you get your sway bar end links from?

I purchased them from Auto Parts Fast at RockAuto

 

[TSPowell]

This may have nothing at all to do with the problem, but I figgered I'd toss it in anyway. Is the ride height of the vehicle the same as it was when new, or at least fairly close? Springs can weaken over time, resulting in the frame sitting an inch or more lower, which will change the stabiliser geometry, causing exactly the problems illustrated here.



If the ride height is factory, forget I said anything.

Thats a really good point, never thought of that. The suspension is stock, but it has 276,000 miles. I dont know what the original height is?? I bet they have settled though.

 

[TSPowell]

Does anyone know what the height of the springs should be?

 

[Bob4x4]

The easiest solution may end up changing your axle backets to the newer style,and using a good quality end link such as these.

Sway Bar End Links for Dodge Ram Suspension Systems



Bob

 

[robbiesworld]

Does anyone know what the height of the springs should be?

That does make sense to me too about the geometry moving the differential forward as the suspension lowers from sagging. I just walked out to my 95 and noticed my links are straight up and down BUT I have springs out of a 2006 CTD and a 2 inch leveling spacer above them so the springs arent sagging and it is 2 inches higher than stock and the links are close to perfect.



Can you jack the body up a little and see what they look like then? maybe just add a little 2 inch leveling kit... ..... but I do see new shocks that won't work with a leveling kit.



pics of mine:

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