Rear stabilizer bar bushing replacement

grthor82 · #1 (**permalink**) 11-05-2008, 08:01 PM

I'm in need of a little expertize. I'm working on a 82 spider and have removed the rear stabilizer bar. In order to remove it I had to drill out the upper bushings to free the left and right rods and then work the bar around to remove. Then I was able to remove the inner steel sleeves that were left on the bar from the bushings. I'm replacing the rod bushings. It does't look like I'll be able to assemble the bar and rods and install. I looks like I'll have to install the bar and then"press" on the rods, and it appears the rods need to be in a certian position when pressed onto the bar?

Thanks, Gary

**ossodiseppia** · #2 (**permalink**) 11-06-2008, 05:51 AM

You just need to remove the bits that are getting in the way of installing the sway bar as a complete unit. The arms need to be pressed on at the same angle they were on, before. It's important because if they are not, the bushings will be stressed when the car is at rest and will fail prematurely.

grthor82 · #3 (**permalink**) 11-06-2008, 08:09 AM

Thanks ossodiseppia, It seemed as if there was no way to install the complete unit but sounds like you've "been there done that". I'll give it a go!

dharold · #4 (**permalink**) 11-06-2008, 04:48 PM

Gary,

I just went through the same thing. I tried in vain for hours to press the links on the bar in the car and no-o-o way. I then approximated the correct position (no way to be perfect), pressed the ends on out of the car, and then threaded it back in. There is a *lot* of flexibility in those rubber joints, both rotationally and laterally, which you need every bit of to get it back in. It took a few tries to manage that too. It seemed impossible, but it did work out, and no bits removed other than the bolts for the sway bar.

BattleBug · #5 (**permalink**) 11-06-2008, 05:00 PM

Gary,
See here for my lessons learned with rear sway bar end link bushings.

grthor82 · #6 (**permalink**) 11-06-2008, 07:02 PM

dharold, Battlebug, OK I'm ready to go; I got the bushings out of the link rods and the new ones in the freezer and we'll press them in tomorrow. I'll "mic" them and install. It
didn't appear they were tappered though, just tight fit on the bar. I've got a lot to learn.
Thanks again!