Problem with TJ suspension - Clunk

No this isn't a runaround Just typical kryco crap, like my two piece rod for my jack. Went to use the jack for a different purpose (lift my ski-doo, which is way lighter than the Jeep) And the plug just spun in the socket of the two piece rods that crank the jack.

snipped-for-privacy@gmail.com wrote:

Thanks, that still shows a solid pin with rubber bushings, not a ball joint or is that just a crappie photo?

The skyjacker replacement sure has bush>

I believe this is the sway bar for a TJ.

benito -

Mike Roma> Thanks, that still shows a solid pin with rubber bushings, not a ball

Gotcha, that's a ball joint by the angle on it.

I like how the aftermarket ones go back to bushings.

Mike

John Benito wrote:

Yup, I took the ones on my TJ off some time ago and put on after market with bushings. Much better!

benito -

Mike Roma> Gotcha, that's a ball joint by the angle on it.

That is an anti-sway bar link. The factory part number is: #52087771AB. The dealer list price is $45. Same part number fits either the right or left side.

The factory link has a plastic "ball joint" on the top. The joint fails and is not replaceable. You must replace the entire link either with the factory or aftermarket part. I had both the right and left side fail about a year apart. When the joint fails, it makes a loud "clunking" sound. My first one was replaced under warranty. I replaced the second one myself.

You just un-bolt the bottom of the link, then un-bolt the top of the link. The top of the link has a tapered shaft that is pressed into the anti-sway bar very tightly. It must be pried loose. I used a Tie-Rod Separator tool that is inexpensive and can be purchased at any auto parts store. It is a "forked" shaped tool that you jam between the link and the anti-sway bar, then lever it up and down until the link breaks loose from the bar.

Here is a photo of the tie rod separator tool

You can't just change the bushing. You must change the entire link.

Tom

The original factory stabilizer bar link can be ordered here:

Tom

They look like JKS disconnects. That lift looks like a Rubicon Express, but those don't look like RE links...On a stock TJ, Mike, the sway bar links have a bushing at the axle and a ball joint at the top, the shaft of which fits in a hole in the end of the bar. In Bill's pic, U-brackets were installed on the retrofit to allow for links that have a bushing on the upper end of the link.

Correction...to remove the bushing you will need to remove the Torx bolt...Mike's going by the aftermarket links in the pic...

I was totally thinking the sway bar bushing at that point. Still not sure what bushing he is changing....

Mike

Matt Macchiarolo wrote:

From the factory, the entire link has to be replaced...once the upper ball joint goes, the whole thing is toast. He should replace them with some nice disconnects.

Or at least ones with bushings top and bottom like those aftermarket ones are. A ball joint lined up in line on the end of a push pull part is a really silly design in my mind.

Mike

Matt Macchiarolo wrote:

Thanks Tom. That was hugely helpful.

Andrew

You're welcome!

Tom