Thread: Sway bar link installation issue

01 Grand Prix......
I hit my wheel, bent control arm and inner tie rod end. Got the inner tie rod end on, and lower control arm on.
I'm trying to install the sway bar link, and the sway bar is too close to the lower control arm to get my sway bar link bushings in place.
I started to loosen the two bolts holding the sway bar itself to the sub frame but the front one (of course, the hardest one to get at)
Is fighting me the whole way out.
I wasn't going to replace the sway bar link on the other side at this time.
But do you think I need to cut the sway bar link off of the other side so the sway bar will swing up enough to install the 1st. side?
I can't see where the sway bar might have also bent, causing my issue, because the sway bar where the link mounts, and the mounting boss on the control arm are still in line.

Maybe there is not too much activity over here any longer?
I guess I might have to just cut that other side off and see what happens I haven't tried to do anything with it yet since I posted.

May have to let the control arm droop down a bit to get the links in place if you have a jackstand under it. If you hit the wheel hard enough to bend all of that they swaybar may be shoved over some. If you haven't unbolted it see if there are any clean marks on the bar where it mounts at the bushings that may indicate it moved over. Could possibly be more bent up things that were overlooked.

I know. I un-did the other side and got the 1st side on.
I didn't tighten the first side link yet, it's just started.
Tightened the other side
(good side)
With the control arms hanging
Down it ( the link kit) looks
A bit closer to the axle, so I think it's tweaked slightly.
I'll have to tighten the link kit and set it on the ground, or put
a jack under the control arms, making it about at ~ride height
And see what it looks like.
I was hurting too bad to continue today.
I'm sure hoping to NOT have to change the sway bar too.
Maybe I can tweak it back slightly somehow if need be.
Thanks for the reply.
I'll let yin's know.
Hope I made sense, I'm tired.

Looks like everything is clearing ok, with the sway bar link end's tightened, when jacked up under the control arm, and also wheel on and let down on the ground.
Link looks slightly closer (forward towards axle) on the side I had to work on,
than the passenger side, but it's clearing ok.
Yes, sway bar may be treated slightly, but all seems ok, visually and also on road test.
Thank you for the replies.

Originally Posted by mrbreezeet1

Looks like everything is clearing ok, with the sway bar link end's tightened, when jacked up under the control arm, and also wheel on and let down on the ground.
Link looks slightly closer (forward towards axle) on the side I had to work on,
than the passenger side, but it's clearing ok.
Yes, sway bar may be treated slightly, but all seems ok, visually and also on road test.
Thank you for the replies.

(Sway bar may be tweaked, not treated)
I don't see an edit option.

Originally Posted by mrbreezeet1

(Sway bar may be tweaked, not treated)
I don't see an edit option.

That car is driving real nice. I still have to do the lower control arm on the right side and I found some play in the right side outer tie rod end how we replacing those as well probably next week.
I hope the Detroit Axle lower control arms hold up for me.

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Originally Posted by mrbreezeet1

That car is driving real nice. I still have to do the lower control arm on the right side and I found some play in the right side outer tie rod end how we replacing those as well probably next week.
I hope the Detroit Axle lower control arms hold up for me.

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Did the lower control arm, and the outer tie rod end on the right side yesterday.
Got a little careless though, and pulled on the axle a little too much, and pulled the inner boot off the inner CV joint.
Tried to straighten the crimp on the oetiker style clamp, but couldn't get it open enough.
Put a long zip tie around the boot for now.
Anyone have a link to a good replacement oetiker style clamp?
Most of the oetiker style clamps on Amazon have poor reviews.
My research indicates that a lot of guys just use a zip tie.
Do you guys think the zip tie would hold up?


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The zip tie will hold. I tried my hardest to even use the same clamps, bought the snippers. Was a waste. The zip tie proved to be the best method. I had two put together.

Originally Posted by mainecrab

The zip tie will hold. I tried my hardest to even use the same clamps, bought the snippers. Was a waste. The zip tie proved to be the best method. I had two put together.

Sorry I just saw this I guess there's no provisions for notifications, and I've been reading the archives lately.
Yes, so far so good the zip tie is holding up thanks again.

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Glad to hear. Yes is nice to get into a new forum or even one you haven't had to use in a while and read back through threads and find something new.