Topic: Need help with rear sway bar bushing install.

[dexetr30]

I removed the rear anti sway bar today in hopes of changing the bushings. Well the bushing on the down links are wider on the ends then they are on the middle and of course they don't want to go into the down links. Can anyone give me a tip or something on getting these in. Oh, and the downlink is plastic! What the heck is that all about?

[dexetr30]

Anyone? 

[lanulos89]

use a bench vise and slowly work the bushing in place, also some wd 40 or something like that never hurt anyone.

[dexetr30]

I tried that. No matter how slow I went or how centered everything was in the vise it just wouldn't go in. The bushing would shoot out and go right for my eye every time. Thank got for my goat like reflexes. At this point I'm just thinking of leaving the anti sway bar off the Jeep. Took it for about a 45 mile drive yesterday without it on and it wasn't much of a difference. Just felt like it would if the tires were a little under inflated. It wasn't as drastic as having the from disconnected. If anyone has any suggestions I'd greatly appreciate hearing from someone.

[dexetr30]

Ok, the vise jaws were to small and causing the bushing to distort. So, I added some larger pieces of scrap wood that I had laying around to make the jaw temporarily larger. Worked like a charm. Oh, and since I am out of wd 40 I used some bar oil from the chainsaw. 

[lanulos89]

glad to hear you got it, sway bars arent nessesary on a tj but track bars are

[aw12345]

the rear swaybar helps stability on the highway at higher speeds not a big difference but it does help

Art

[dexetr30]

I had the sway bars off my 2000 Sport and I didn't mind it at all. I was perfectly willing to leave the rear off of the current tj but my wife gave me a funny look when I said I might not put it back on. She drove the sport a few times when I had it and hated the way it leaned into the corners.  Although I got the bushings in I still might not put the bar back in. I think the front is going to get some discos.