Better sway bar links?

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Well, my front sway bar end links are gone again. Seems like every 6 months or so I'm replacing them. I've ordered them from shops in Canada and from cheap eBay stores with no discernible difference.

Anyone else experienced this problem? Also, anyone have a line on some hardier links?

[Big-Bird]

Any suspension lift will always place stress on bushings and the ball-socket joints found in our sway bar links.

There are 2 things to address:

1) A stock height sway bar link is designed for a stock height vehicle so you can get longer links which will reduce the amount of strain on the joints at their top/bottom range of suspension flex.

2) The second option is to fabricate a set of spacer blocks that moves the sway bar to a lower position relative to the frame and more inline with the center position (or at rest position) of the vehicles suspension.

If its just the rubber bushings that fail consider getting a set of poly-eurethane bushings from Engery Suspension. Energy Suspension can sell you stuff based on sizes....not just vehicle application.

Another option and a bit more expensive is to purchase small HEIM joints and make your own links or purchase prefab units. You can go threaded rod type or sleeve type. Both are equally strong and both come in various lengths for custom applications.

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Hmmmmm yea I kind of assumed that's what the cause was.

I have an account at HD supply/Brafasco, they sell heim joints. Is there any variety of grade with those things? I mean, they only need to be 2" longer. Might just be easier to make spacer blocks though.

Has anyone else with a lift noticed that they cruise through sway bar links? I can't be the only one.

[thelazygreenfox]

BB I like those Heim joints. Thx

Mat Are your torsion bars soft? I wondered if that might be the reason for extra strain on the bushings? I just installed my HD TB's and was waiting a while to test them out before posting.
Wayne
TLWF

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BB I like those Heim joints. Thx

Mat Are your torsion bars soft? I wondered if that might be the reason for extra strain on the bushings? I just installed my HD TB's and was waiting a while to test them out before posting.
Wayne
TLWF

Where did you get them??!?!?!?!

YEs, they are soft. I mean, they're fine, but I get a heck of a lot of dive under braking. I want HD bars, so I'm really hoping I didn't miss an opportunity to split shipping costs with someone!

[thelazygreenfox]

Mat
Yes you missed that opportunity but I won't start bragging till I've come back from hunting n 2 weeks. Then I'll know how they drive and perform under rough off road conditions.
Wayne

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Mat
Yes you missed that opportunity
Wayne

God. Dammit.

[thelazygreenfox]

No problem with poly sway bar links but you're right on the extra strain on all the suspension parts when you lift. More ball joints, tie rods and other suspension bushings but.... MD carries more weight, drives on more rough 4X4 rock climbs and has the shocks wound up tight for a stiffer ride on the highway.

I just love what MD can do and where it can go . Great vehicles, just keep changing the parts when they break or wear out.
Have fun
MD

[thelazygreenfox]

BB
Just found those Heim joints on Summit Racing for $A142 and links similar to the delicas with grease nipples for $A104.
A bit expensive but sure are nice.....
MD

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[poochike]

I just blew through my second set of front stab links also. Interested in how you guys end up dealing with the problem.

[thelazygreenfox]

PC
-Look for real source of the problem, ie: understand the entire suspension and how it works.
-Buy the parts needed-- here or offshore/online
-Wait for the parts and install
-or take it to a shop for repair

Sounds simple but there's more involved

eg: Find the time, find the money, plan the repair, find a location/garage, wait for good weather, arrange for a friend to help and buy the tools needed for the repair.
Then there's building trust in a local mechanic and hoping they did the repair correctly and returning the deli when the repair didn't go well.
Not to mention developing confidence in your own mechanical abilities and laughing at yourself when you did it wrong.

Is that "dealing with the problem"????
LOL
MD

[poochike]

Love it Greenfox!

[stever1000]

I hate to ask a stupid question, but I want to make sure I am correct before biting the bullet and buying new sway bar links. When I am on the highway, cornering, or going over speed bumps (at an angle), my l400 sways quite a bit. It's to the point that I get anxious turning a corner into an alley or other situation where I have to turn and go over a bump at the same time. It sways so much!

My torsion bars havent sagged (measurements are close to stock), and my shocks are brand new, so I can only think the sway is from my sway bar links? I visually checked them but dont have enough experience to be sure either way. Thoughts?

[thelazygreenfox]

Remove the ASBL from the front and back sway bar and push/pull the ball socket joint. If it has a noticeable clunk inside replace all four links. Grease nipples would be a positive change, see my post above.

The rest of your question is a bit more complicated. All delicas seem to have some of that motion . IMHO it's front and back shocks and torsion bars/coils that restrict some of the body roll and ASB that prevents the rest.

Have you cut off your bump stops? Is your deli raised? What mods have you done? Are the rear coil springs sagging? Are the suspension bushings cracked or torn? Check the top and bottom control arm bushings for wear and replace bushings if they appear cracked or torn.

I'm replacing suspension parts as we speak and will report what I find later this month. If you drive rough, 4X4, overload or have a 20 yr old vehicle, parts will need replaced. Sucks to be us. I still love my Delica

Please post your results.
Good luck
MD

[stever1000]

Remove the ASBL from the front and back sway bar and push/pull the ball socket joint. If it has a noticeable clunk inside replace all four links. Grease nipples would be a positive change, see my post above.

The rest of your question is a bit more complicated. All delicas seem to have some of that motion . IMHO it's front and back shocks and torsion bars/coils that restrict some of the body roll and ASB that prevents the rest.

Have you cut off your bump stops? Is your deli raised? What mods have you done? Are the rear coil springs sagging? Are the suspension bushings cracked or torn? Check the top and bottom control arm bushings for wear and replace bushings if they appear cracked or torn.

I'm replacing suspension parts as we speak and will report what I find later this month. If you drive rough, 4X4, overload or have a 20 yr old vehicle, parts will need replaced. Sucks to be us. I still love my Delica

Please post your results.
Good luck
MD

Thanks, that seems easy enough to check the ASBL, I will do that first.

My bumpstops are stock/unmodified as well as the rest of the deli (no lift, 30" tires) I checked the suspension bushings and they look fine visually. No tears. I will double check the control arm bushings, though they look like a pain to change
I can't tell if the rear springs are sagging but - if it is it's not noticeable when parked on a flat spot...
If I torque my torsion bars one turn, that would increase the spring rate and stiffen up the front suspension, correct? I may try this after I check the other pieces.

Thanks