End link popped off!

**Farace** · #1 (**permalink**) 09-18-2006, 09:16 AM

This morning on my way into work I suddenly started getting a disturbing clunking sound from beneath the car. Once I got here, I peeked underneath and saw that the front left sway bar link has popped off the spring pan.

I won't get a chance to really look at it until I get it home. I just want to be sure it's safe to drive it this way. I assume it's okay, just noisy and not handling very well. Can anyone tell me for sure? Thanks!

**Farace** · #2 (**permalink**) 09-19-2006, 08:22 PM

Had a chance to get under the car tonight. Turns out the rubber part of the bushing slipped out of its sleeve. Meaning the rubber part of the bushing remained on the stud attached to the spring pan, while the sleeve part of the bushing remained in the end link. Anyone seen this happen before?

I removed the end link and all parts of the bushing from the car and brought them down cellar where, with the use of some silicone spray, a couple of strategically sized sockets, and a bench vise, I managed to convince the rubber part to return to where it belongs. Now, I realize this isn't a permanent fix (I can't really consider the bushing to be one piece anymore), but I figure as long as I keep an eye on it, it should get me through until I need to put the car away for the winter, which is most likely less than two months away.

The other side of the sway bar looks okay.

These bushings are two years and a few months old and came from Centerline as part of the complete front end bushing/tie rod ends/ball joint kit. Don't remember the brand of the bushings, but the tie rod ends were Frap . . . installed before I read the negative opinions of that brand.

ossodiseppia · #3 (**permalink**) 09-19-2006, 08:27 PM

I wonder if you put a rather oversized washer on there if it would keep the pieces from coming apart? It's just a thought. Glad you and the car are ok.

**Farace** · #4 (**permalink**) 09-19-2006, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ossodiseppia

I wonder if you put a rather oversized washer on there if it would keep the pieces from coming apart?

**Farace** · #5 (**permalink**) 09-06-2007, 08:41 PM

Well, did I ever get around to replacing the bushing? No. Took a look at it once through the summer and it still looked fine so I left it alone. This morning, though, almost one year later, it popped off again. This time I 1) used some Weldwood to help slide the rubber part back into its sleeve and hopefully hold it in place; and 2) took Osso's suggestion and put a large fender washer on the end of the spring pan stud that should keep it from popping off again, hopefully until the day I decide to replace all the bushings.

Oy.

gtv27 · #6 (**permalink**) 09-07-2007, 01:46 AM

washer trick is a good fix - not dodgy, but get as big and thick a washer as you can and is nice if ID matches the thread so the nut bears on the washer and the washer on the metal sleeve (I had to drill out some custom washers).
problem can be related to not so good quality rubber bushes that were/are available as replacement parts.