clunking noise. think its the sway bar bushings???

[Cody Coy Ote Wesley]

clunking noise coming frpm the left side of the front end when i hit some bumps but not all the time. It also does it ehrn the car shifts hard but again not all the time. I took a look at my bushing and it looks like the bushing has shifted and the seam is not completely lined up on the left side. just ordered the GMPP front sway bar from my local GM dealership. Do you think I'm on the right track and also how hard is it to replace the sway bar any tricks for it.

 

[FordMan77]

Sounds like a plan. These bars like to crack at the endlinks. Make sure you flip the bar when installing it so the bend in the center is facing down to avoid it hitting the downpipe for the exhaust. I put the solid Dorman bar on mine and it slid in just fine. Might have had to pop the driver outer tie rod. Can't remember. Search for front sway bar replacement and see what comes up as it's a popular issue.

Also check your motor and trans mount. If they are leaking or look wet then they are shot as well. That could cause the clunk as well. Not knowing what year you have it's just a guess.

 

[Cody Coy Ote Wesley]

Alright thank you very much. And its a 2002 gpgt

 

[BillBoost37]

I find that jacking the car up about a foot and pulling both tires makes it relatively simple. The bar might fight a little. However if you want the worlds easiest install.

Put a 4x4 or whatever across the back of the subframe to support both sides. With the car on jackstands (not on subframe) put the jack and 4x4 on the rear of the subframe. Then remove the two rear subframe bolts and lower it 2 inches. Now you'll be able to get the center bushing bolts w/o fighting space constraints. and the bar will come out/go in like butter. Raise the subframe back up and put the bolts back in when you are done.