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grant · 08-11-2010, 12:57 PM

so i bought replacement sway bar end links because one of them snapped, but the bolts holding them in place are too rusted to easily remove. i dont have a torque wrench so i was going to grind them off and replace them, but i cant find these parts anywere.

any help locating the bolts??

thanks
-grant

**muddeprived** · 08-11-2010, 01:45 PM

Which bolts? There are the 4 bar bolts on the frame rail, and two studs on the axle end. The studs are press in studs. The nut comes off but the stud does not unless you press it out with a ball joint press or special tool. People mistake these as removable but they are not. You can substitute them for grade 8 nut's and bolts if you need to but it might wiggle unless you get it friggin tight.

grant · 08-11-2010, 02:50 PM

sorry, this is my first time working on suspension.

this is the replacement part:

the bottom end seems to be simply bolted to the axle brackets.

i could probably torch the bolt to get the bad part off, but i would prefer complete replacement. i didnt see anything that looked like a press in stud or ball joint, and all the replacement how-to's ive found just say to "unbolt the links from the axle brackets", and replace.

problem is i need a bolt... could i use any grade 8 with a head big enough to cover the rubber disc on the link, or should i be looking for another part?

**muddeprived** · 08-11-2010, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grant

sorry, this is my first time working on suspension.

this is the replacement part:

the bottom end seems to be simply bolted to the axle brackets.

i could probably torch the bolt to get the bad part off, but i would prefer complete replacement. i didnt see anything that looked like a press in stud or ball joint, and all the replacement how-to's ive found just say to "unbolt the links from the axle brackets", and replace.

problem is i need a bolt... could i use any grade 8 with a head big enough to cover the rubber disc on the link, or should i be looking for another part?

Yes that is the link. The top is bolted on to to the sway bar via a vertical stud, the bottom is slipped over a horizontal "bolt" that's pressed into the bracket on the axle. It looks like it's bolted on but it's not. You remove the nut on the left side with a 3/4" or 18mm socket or whatever the size is and then slide off the sway bar link. There's a good chance the sway bar bushing is seized to this stud and may require a big hammer and some pounding to slide it off the stud. Once you have it off you can look into where the stud/bolt presses into the bracket and you'll see splines which keep it from spinning when you tighten the nut. Did you get the nut off this "stud/bolt" yet?

Jeep uses a press-in stud type bolt instead of a regular bolt to keep it from rattling loose. Aftermarket sway bar kits have replacement studs. You remove the factory stud by pressing it out and then installing the aftermarket stud with a nut that clamps it down against the bracket so it's not "loose fitting".

If your grand cherokee's dana 30 is different from this dana 30, I apologize.

grant · 08-11-2010, 05:18 PM

thanks! im soaking it up with wd40 for another go later tonight.

grant · 08-11-2010, 07:01 PM

well, i got the nut off and am taking a break from hammering the old link.

**muddeprived** · 08-11-2010, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grant

well, i got the nut off and am taking a break from hammering the old link.

LOL must be really on there pretty good huh?

grant · 08-11-2010, 07:36 PM

its off, and i feel like a fool for letting this car sit so long. now i need to remove the wasps nest in the driver's side door.

if i ever come into trouble with this car again, ill know where to look for help!

thanks again!

**muddeprived** · 08-11-2010, 07:53 PM

You are welcome. Any questions, just ask and we'll help ya out.

**2000XJ** · 09-20-2010, 07:55 PM

Moved to the right section

6blue6gc · 01-30-2011, 09:22 AM

My '97 end links to frame bracket bushings were clunking (visibly loose when rocking Jeep). I replaced the end links and bushings with Moog and they make even more noise (they're identical to what I removed, just firmer, new bushings). It appears the frame bracket stud is undersized compared to the rolled steel bushing sleeve. I suppose I could shim it or weld in bigger studs? Seems like a part mismatch. Anybody come across this before? Thanks.