The sway bar bushing that come standard on the xB leave more than a little to be desired. They are small and compact easily leaving slack and play in the sway bar end links. This DIY will show you how to replace the stock bushings with new and better polyurethane bushings from Energy Suspension.
PLEASE READ AND FOLLOW ALL DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY. I ACCEPT NO RESPONSIBILITY IF YOU SCREW UP YOUR CAR. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS...ASK ME!You will need the following tools to complete this DIY:
1. 10 mm wrench
2. 12 mm wrench
3. 12 mm deep socket
4. 9/16" wrench
5. 9/16" deep socket
6. Energy Suspension Performance Sway Bar End Link Bushings
(part no. 9.8105R) Available at Auto Zone among other places
7. (2) Grade 8 bolts size 3/8" X 4"
8. (2) Nylon Lock Nuts size 3/8"
9. Lubricating grease
First either jack up your vehicle or use ramps
If using a jack on your vehicle always use a jack stand before getting under it.
Locate the stock sway bar end link assembly and notice the condition of the bushings. (these only have 18,000 miles on them)
Now remove the stock bushings by loosening the two 14mm nuts. You can do this easily by holding the top nut with a 14mm open end wrench and turning the bottom nut with a 14mm deep socket.
To remove the top nut, use a 10mm open end wrench and hold the stock end link bolt while turning the top nut with a 14mm open end wrench.
(You can also use a pair of vise grips to hold the stock bolt while turning the top nut but I found this way to be easier)
Unbolt both sides of the sway bar end links to ease in the removal of the bolts. I did not remove the wheels when I replaced mine.
Here are the replacement end link bushings from Energy Suspension:
I purchased them from Auto Zone for $13.00. You can find them at other auto parts stores and on line as well.
Here are the replacement bolts and nuts. I purchased these at Home Depot. You can find them at any home improvement store or hardware store.
Notice the difference in size between the stock bushings and the replacement Energy Suspension bushings.
Before reinstalling the bolts, nuts and bushings in the end link, you may want to apply a small amount of grease to the bushings to prevent any squeaking noise where the bushings rub against the end links.
All greased up and ready to go
The installation is just the reverse of the removal. Place the new bolt in from the top with a washer, a bushing...the sway bar...a bushing, a washer, a washer, a bushing, the end link, a bushing, a washer and the nylon lock nut.
Tighten the lower nylon lock nut by using an open end 9/16" wrench on the top of the bolt and a 9/16" deep socket on the bottom. Tighten the bolt until the bushing starts to compress just a little.
Here is the end result, a much stronger set of sway bar end link bushings.
I suggest if you can't find Grade 8 Nylon Locking Nuts use a Grade 8 Nut and then use a Nylon Locking Nut for safety.The total cost of the modification was less than $17.00. I found on the test drive that the front end felt much more secure and there was less tracking on the grooves in the road. This is how the front suspension should have felt from day one in my opinion.
If you have any questions regarding this DIY feel free to send me a PM.
