suspension issues

So i was replacing the brakes on my dads truck i found this



Not sure if u see whats happening there but the bolt that goes through the sway bar and into the lower a arm is completely missing. I bought the new part and im having a hell of a time replacing it. No matter how i do it i cant get the bolt to go straight enough to get the last bushing and nut on through the axle. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Looks like you need to replace the swaybar endlink? Not sure what the issue is. They can be a real bitch to install. Is it still connected on the other end of the swaybar? You may have to compress the suspension on the other side to get this one to swing down far enough (or jack up the suspension on this side until it fits.

Yep its the endlink, i couldnt think of the right word for it. It is still connected because i cant get to the other bolt to undo it either. I have tried jack it up but it has not worked so far

has the swaybar slid over to the other side causing misalignment or something? They suck to fix, but it's not that bad usually.

well im thinkin the sway bar may be damaged, it has probably been off for months. my dad is horrible at maintenance. it doesnt get done unless i do it

doing just 1 is a motherfucker. its much easier to do them both at the same time and having the whole front end raised (by the frame, not suspension).

Put some weight on the suspention, trying to do this at full droop is the issue. It will line up once you have the front end either on the ground, or with its weight fully on the suspention.

i jacked it up on the frame and put it on a jack stand, then i lifted up on the a arm with a jack and it still wont line up

I have put a bob cat tire underneath the spindle and let the weight of the truck come down on it. To get things to line up.

does does jack up the a arm not have the same affect. i can under stand that if the whole suspension needs to compress

You have to have both a arms up, or its going to be a pain in the ass. Basically, you want the truck to sit like it would normally on the ground. Id do both sides too. When you get them started, put the thing on the vround with the eheels on (if you can) and tighten the nuts until the rubber bushings squish to the same size as the washers.

ok thanks ill try that

3vs197 wrote:

doing just 1 is a motherfucker. its much easier to do them both at the same time and having the whole front end raised (by the frame, not suspension).

This

91tsi wrote:

does does jack up the a arm not have the same affect. i can under stand that if the whole suspension needs to compress

it does have the same effect kinda, except this ^ way put a lot more pressure on it. also this ^ way puts more pressure on the side that your working on. which i found worked the best cause it brings it REALLY CLOSE. ( the last one I did was on a 02 2500 diesel)

thanks for the help guys, i finly got it in since i had a free night to finish it