Should I replace these suspension parts?

[AnotherOldJeepGuy]

It looks like these rubber parts are not too difficult, or expensive, to replace.  They are original and full of cracks.  Should I replace them?  And are the parts below the right parts?  Clearly the new rubber would look better, but what are the benefits beyond looking better?  (Will I even be able to tell the new parts are there unless I am looking at them?)  My truck runs smooth, although it doesn't take bumps as well, that it, "I hear things thump a bit" on a bump.  It looks like replacement is pretty straight forward, it is?  Any special tools or "not obvious" things I would need to know first?  Like, if I take off a nut will thing fly apart that I can't get back together without a LOT more trouble that is looks like!?  Thanks in advance for the advice!

 

NAPA Parts

[GonzoTheGreat]

Super straightforward. You can do it with the truck on the ground. The only thing that can really cause a problem is if you snap that top stud on one of the links, or one of the frame-mount bolts, but your truck doesnt look super crusty. Just make sure you use plenty of PB blaster before you attack.

 

Oh and that frame-side bushing is available in different diameters. I think 23mm is the most common, but you might want to measure yours before you buy the new ones, just to make sure.

[AnotherOldJeepGuy]

Thanks! I would have not thought I could do this with the truck just setting there, that's good to know that weight on wheels isn't part of the equation.  I'll be sure to try and soak some oil into the threads.  Which are you referring to that I need to measure (A, B, C or D)?  And are you referring to the diameter of the bushing itself or the hole?  Although if I get them out, I can just measure everything! :)

[pizzaman09]

Those parts are still functional but there is a tremendous amount of compression set.  The cracking is due to ozone attack over time.  They are ready to be replaced, you probably won't notice any difference driving but theoretically your sway bar will react better.

[Pete M]

just a heads up, those sway bar bushing bolts in the first photo are incredibly prone to snapping, even on otherwise clean trucks.   be careful.

[derf]

8 minutes ago, pizzaman09 said:

Those parts are still functional but there is a tremendous amount of compression set.  The cracking is due to ozone attack over time.  They are ready to be replaced, you probably won't notice any difference driving but theoretically your sway bar will react better.

There can be a little slop and new bushings will potentially improve the ride quality.  Though the swaybar is a minor contributor.

 

I had an old XJ.  I bought it and replaced all suspension and steering parts (swaybar, control arms, track bar, and tie rod ends).  I even did unit bearings and axle shaft u-joints.  It went from vaguely going in the neighborhood of where you were trying to steer it to being pretty well behaved.  But everything was completely shot.

[AnotherOldJeepGuy]

1 hour ago, Pete M said:

just a heads up, those sway bar bushing bolts in the first photo are incredibly prone to snapping, even on otherwise clean trucks.   be careful.

Yikes!  OK.  I'll give the penetrating oil lots of time to work in, and I'll not use the extra large breaker bar!

[AnotherOldJeepGuy]

1 hour ago, pizzaman09 said:

Those parts are still functional but there is a tremendous amount of compression set.  The cracking is due to ozone attack over time.  They are ready to be replaced, you probably won't notice any difference driving but theoretically your sway bar will react better.

Well, I guess we'll see if I can tell.

[Pete M]

if you buy poly bushings, be sure to add a bit of grease to the surface to prevent squeaks   

[DirtyComanche]

3 hours ago, AnotherOldJeepGuy said:

Yikes!  OK.  I'll give the penetrating oil lots of time to work in, and I'll not use the extra large breaker bar!

Sometimes the threads are stretched from the bar and link pounding against each other.  So they will just break, nothing can be done to stop it.  I would order new links and plan on changing them too, but that's me.

 

Edit, a Mevotech link with bushings is around $11 USD on Rockauto (my pricing is in CAD and I convert back, but it's about that), so $22 would get you both links and you only need to buy the bushings that go around the bar.

[AnotherOldJeepGuy]

Ah, it sounds like there is potential for any/all of the bolts, or things that are threaded, to be damaged either already or when the job is done.  @DirtyComanche, I think this is what you are recommending, (although this is the NAPA part, I didn't look up RockAuto yet.) Plus the "blue" bushings in my OP.

 

 

[hgeranium]

My links and bushings look just as crusty as yours lol. And I agree with dirtycomanche. If you're going through all the work to take em off you might as well replace the whole link. They're not too expensive and I'd bet it'll be the last time it would ever have to be done for the life of the truck.

[DirtyComanche]

5 hours ago, AnotherOldJeepGuy said:

 @DirtyComanche, I think this is what you are recommending, (although this is the NAPA part, I didn't look up RockAuto yet.) Plus the "blue" bushings in my OP.

 

 

Yes, that's what you want, but $82 seems steep.  Swaybar end link is the more proper term for them, my post was unclear.