Loose Sway Bar?

[Thundra04struck]

So, got back from the stealership (actually, it was nice - they didn't charge me to look at it) - but here's what they said:

Shocks are fine. Nothing appears to be loose / bent / broken / etc (from a visual inspection, with the car up on the lift) - though, he took it for a test drive, and it's definitely 'clunking' - sounds like metal on metal, as if there's a bump-stop missing, or bushing that's just gone.

Any idea where I could / should look with this information? Front passenger side.

It is hard, no, make that impossible for me to believe that no one has noticed what you have already went through at the dealer and they STILL did not tell you what exactly was wrong with the truck?, other than "Yes, it's definitely clunking."

WTF???

Yeah, it was nice, they didn't charge you but they didn't find out what was wrong either. Like going to a dentist for tooth pain and they tell you that they have looked all around your mouth but you leave with the same pain you went in with. That is F-ed up.

[Thundra04struck]

So, got back from the stealership (actually, it was nice - they didn't charge me to look at it) - but here's what they said:

Shocks are fine. Nothing appears to be loose / bent / broken / etc (from a visual inspection, with the car up on the lift) - though, he took it for a test drive, and it's definitely 'clunking' - sounds like metal on metal, as if there's a bump-stop missing, or bushing that's just gone.

Any idea where I could / should look with this information? Front passenger side.

It is hard, no, make that impossible for me to believe that no one has noticed what you have already went through at the dealer and they STILL did not tell you what exactly was wrong with the truck?, other than "Yes, it's definitely clunking."

WTF???

Yeah, it was nice, they didn't charge you but they didn't find out what was wrong either. Like going to a dentist for tooth pain and they tell you that they have looked all around your mouth but you leave with the same pain you went in with. Then later you go back on Do It Yourself Dentistry and ask the guys what they think the problem might be. That is F-ed up.

[kerryman71]

One more thought. Are you 100% positive it's coming from the front end?

John

[kylekruchok]

Hey all, sorry for the lack of reply -

I haven't had the time during daylight hours (when the weather is decent enough to get under the truck) to look at the problem... Hopefully this weekend. I'm just babying it going up and over bumps - I still haven't really taken it off of the asphalt (save for one instance).

In any case, here's a video of my problem, and how the truck is parked, when I notice the bar being loose.

Given this information, what should I look at? The sway bar bushings?



Thanks!

[bobbygail@aol.com]

I would replace the sway bar bushings. You should not be able to move the sway bar by hand like that at all. Make sure the bushing clamps and the sway bar links are tightened to FSM torque specs. Due to the excessive movement by hand, I would also replace the sway bar links. Seems like you are getting side to side movement which is coming from the sway bar links. The link bushings are probably shot. Check this thread out for replacing the sway bar links....Downey H.D. Sway Bar End Links Install

[Stone_Blue]

Yeah, you definately need to change the bushings. I just got a set of Prothane bushings myself. You can buy just the two frame bushings by themselves, or they have sets that include 4 link bushings also.

If you get aftermarket bushings, you may have to measure your sway bar first. Not sure if its an issue with the later 1st Gens, but I found out the '00-'01s, there were 2 differenst sizes of bars: a 23mm and a 24mm. I couldnt find what the application differences are, as BOTH say they fit ALL applications. I used a set of calipers to measure the bar diameter.

[CoachRon]

Like they said. ^^ Bushings are bad. May also be loose bolts/something else, but those bushings are definitely bad.

[kylekruchok]

I managed to get the truck into the garage today after a quick bath, and sure 'nuff - the sway bar is still loose when parked on an even surface (but I'm sure many of you could have that figured out).

New sway bar bushings, and end links ordered - should have everything by the 2nd or so!

Since I don't have a torque wrench, are the torque specs required for these fixes needing to be *exact* or - can they just be estimated?

Also - as far as diameter goes - the 04 model came in a 24mm, or 28mm - depending on whether or not the offroad package was installed (assuming that's what the TRD is?) - I've got the TRD, so I opted with the 28mm.

[buzz&duff]

CoachRon has it correct No matter how truck is parked bar will not be loose. If loose it is installed incorrectly, broken or has excessively worn parts. You say sometimes it is tight so links are still connected.
By the way you say dealer service dept. inspected, but did not say what they told you was problem. Oh yes I reread tech drove it clunked he did not inspect to find out what noise was. Wow great mechanick.
Google anti sway bar install.
I have broken bars and end links off roading in extreme crawler type terain where bar should have been disconnected.
There probably isn`t much of any thing I have not broken over the past 60 years of automotive use and abuse except for rod and main bearings and ring and pinions.
Watched your video. You have excessively worn parts.
If you are going to offroad a lot leave it loose for better articulation , unless the noise bothers you. If you want to offroad a lot and want to replace the worn out parts use stock or softer bushings instead of the aftermarket urethane (harder) bushings for the best articulation with bar hooked up. Or use the good stuff ( for road ) and disconnect bar when offroad. Prefered but a PITA unless you can use quick disconnects.

[CoachRon]

They can be estimated. Tighten them pretty good too (don't get crazy though). There is quite a bit of force on those parts and if the bolts/nuts aren't tight enough, you'll get a "clunk".