OK....I want to fix my smartbar/front swaybar that decided to just fall apart. (*2013 PW) The links look like they might be a bit of a bear to pull off. What is the approved solution for getting them off? I really don't like banging suspension components to get them off if I can avoid it.
If anyone can chime in and let me know how painful it is to take them off and what the best way to do it is, that would be great.
Thanks!
Bakes
How do I remove the front swaybar links?
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DamageWagon
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Re: How do I remove the front swaybar links?
Since you saw my other post on the SmartBar, you can use it as an example.
15mm socket for the frame bushings.
13/16 or 21mm wrench and socket, and 10mm socket for the links. Use the 21mm socket if you have one to break loose the nut on the link. 13/16 will sometimes fit. Then use the 21mm wrench and 10mm socket to remove the swaybar nut. The end of the swaybar link thread has a 10mm hex on it, you will see how this all comes together when you do it.
Don't forget to very carefully remove the SmartBar wiring connector. Look at how it works. There's a plastic bar on top that rotates backwards to open a cam lock. There is a plastic tab that holds this bar locked. Take it easy here. I had to do lots of gentle wiggling the first time to take mine off due to dust.
Once these things are done it should basically pop off. Do the frame bushings last. You can hold the weight of the bar without much hassle on your chest with a creeper. Putting it up can be a little harder. Make sure it is engaged before you reinstall it or you're going to get smacked in the face lol. Happy hunting
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15mm socket for the frame bushings.
13/16 or 21mm wrench and socket, and 10mm socket for the links. Use the 21mm socket if you have one to break loose the nut on the link. 13/16 will sometimes fit. Then use the 21mm wrench and 10mm socket to remove the swaybar nut. The end of the swaybar link thread has a 10mm hex on it, you will see how this all comes together when you do it.
Don't forget to very carefully remove the SmartBar wiring connector. Look at how it works. There's a plastic bar on top that rotates backwards to open a cam lock. There is a plastic tab that holds this bar locked. Take it easy here. I had to do lots of gentle wiggling the first time to take mine off due to dust.
Once these things are done it should basically pop off. Do the frame bushings last. You can hold the weight of the bar without much hassle on your chest with a creeper. Putting it up can be a little harder. Make sure it is engaged before you reinstall it or you're going to get smacked in the face lol. Happy hunting
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Re: How do I remove the front swaybar links?
For the smartbar plug and any other of the locker plugs for that matter, spray the crap out of it with WD-40 beforehand and they open up and are much easier to deal with. The locks slide real nice and easy.
2010 with 37" hooves, controlled by numerous Thuren parts and Thuren Custom King 2.5's (Moved to a new home)
viewtopic.php?f=13&t=2333
I only do what the majority of the 4 voices in my head tell me to. In most cases, I ignore two of them because one doesn't speak English, and I suspect the other is talking to someone else.
viewtopic.php?f=13&t=2333
I only do what the majority of the 4 voices in my head tell me to. In most cases, I ignore two of them because one doesn't speak English, and I suspect the other is talking to someone else.
Re: How do I remove the front swaybar links?
OK....done. Too easy. No pounding required. Sway bar end just slid and "locked" back in no problem.
The c clip that holds the sway bars in the smart bar are probably just a hair too small....which is why they tend to pop out. Poor engineering any way you look at it. Seriously, a sway bar should not just become non-functional. Only reason I looked was because of the excessive rubbing....and I think it had been like that for a long time. After a while, you just get used to all the body sway.
Anyways, I'm submitting a message to NHTSA regarding them. These suckers need to be recalled and fitted with a real c-clip.
The c clip that holds the sway bars in the smart bar are probably just a hair too small....which is why they tend to pop out. Poor engineering any way you look at it. Seriously, a sway bar should not just become non-functional. Only reason I looked was because of the excessive rubbing....and I think it had been like that for a long time. After a while, you just get used to all the body sway.
Anyways, I'm submitting a message to NHTSA regarding them. These suckers need to be recalled and fitted with a real c-clip.