My front sway bar end links are missing???

[Mark2006Z71]

I have been having some noises/vibration during hard acceleration lately, so today I went under the truck to go over all the suspension and I find BOTH of my front sway bar links are missing.  Not sure if this is the cause of my problem, but I find it hard to beleive that they both loosened and fell out.  I lifted in December, and I know for sure that they were there about 45 days later as I have pictures.
I wonder if they got stolen?  I could see losing one, but both??

Now that I see they are gone, it makes sense, as it does seem like it has been really sloppy in turns.


Mark

 

[DougD]

I really doubt they were stolen

Broken due to something not right with the lift is a reasonable prospect, however.

 

[MS03 2500]

Did your lift come with new ones, they may need to be longer

 

[Mark2006Z71]

I agree, it seems really unlikely that they were stolen.  As for broken, maybe....  It is a Pro Comp lift, and the end links are stock; the sway bar is dropped with the kit

I have not had the truck off road yet, so I can't see breaking them.  I installed the lift, and everything lined up fine.  I don't remember hainvg any grief getting the links installed.

Anyways, I am going to look for a stouter upgrade....

Thanks,

Mark

 

[Hug_R_Av]

bigger is better...  Hope you get it squared away soon

 

[m02redl]

very odd, let us know what you come up with

 

[Mark2006Z71]

I ended up finding some end links at Kragen.  At least this will get me by for now.  They had one that was standard duty for $10 and one Heavy duty for $15.  Both were identical in length and basic form.  Both have Grade 5 bolts.  The bushing are shaped a bit defferently and may be different hardnesses.

Anyways,  the length of the sleeve and the bushings seems fine, but the bolt was just a bit short to get the nut started.  I ended up shaving 1/8" off of 2 of two bushings per side and got it all bolted up.  We'll see how it holds up.  I bought the HD models.


BTW, the dealer wanted $37 per link.  No thanks.

Mark

 

[m02redl]

glad you got it back together, hopefully it holds up

 

[DougD]

Toss some thread locker on those nuts this time around?

 

[jimbo53188]

most aftermarket link kits use jam nuts ,the nuts are generally tightened to a specific "crush value" anyway. you only tighten til' the bushings deflect a certain amount,without "jam nuts" they would just loosen by themselves!!

 

[Mark2006Z71]

The new kit did come with self locking deformed nuts so should not be a problem.  I am pretty certain now that my old ones did not loosen, but broke.  Once once goes, its only a matter of time before the other side goes.

The new ones have a 1 year warranty    Wonder if they would hoonor it if there were no broken parts to shown them......

Mark

 

[jimbo53188]

instead of pushing the bolts up from the bottom,drop em' in from the top down.if the bolts break the weight of the bolt will keep some pieces hangin' in the sway bar!!