2008 TB Front Sway Bar Links/Bushings Suggestions Needed

[mtb34]

So my 2008 TB front sway bar doesn't have links that mount on the ends ... has a stock plastic type bar that mounts through the top/bottom.

Anyone have any suggestions on replacing this with something that can disconnect?

Should replace the entire sway bar with one that can accommodate end mounting links?

Thanks.

[v7guy]

I wouldn't go to the extreme of changing the sway bar, especially considering what is involved.

You have a few choices. Just disconnect it when needed and deal with the extra few steps. Remove the links and try driving it without a sway bar. I find the removal not a big deal, but I seem to be in the minority. You can always cobble something together that will fit your needs with your less common setup, and then document it so others can copy it.

[mtb34]

Are you familiar with the type of sway bar links I am talking about? Do I need to post a picture?

They aren't like the ones that came on the early TB's. That is one of the reasons I am considering replacing them.

The sway bar that is stock ... won't accommodate end mounted links (I think ... that is why I am asking here to see if anyone with a newer model TB has replaced these links).

[dvanbramer88]

Here is the stock 08 ones.


They do have a quick disco for this style end link. Let me look for a picture.

[dvanbramer88]

And you'd want something like this for quick disconnects.


I'd imagine these would be fairly easy to make or at least emulate.

A piece of all thread
Some steel bar
Some steel tube
4 pins
8 bushings
8 washers
4 nuts.

Cut the all thread to make 4 studs. Weld the 4 studs to 4 pieces of the bar. Drill pin holes in the pieces of bar. Now you have you permanent pieces. You could use an allan key or small screw driver through the pin hole to hold it while you tighten the nut. Use a ny-lock nut.

Now take the tubing and make the removable center pieces. Cut to length and drill pin holes in the appropriate places. Install on the truck, Install the pins.

[The Roadie]

I'm thinking the GM change was because they had YEARS of customer complaints about the crappy lifetime of the old end link design. Keeping the force in line with the mounting axis is just mechanical common sense. You have the far superior design and it should be easier to fab up disconnectable links. I was just thinking that 2008 might not have so much aftermarket support for the new LCA design, but I was amazed to see it's the other way around. 2002-2007 LCAs are $100-150 at rockauto, but 2008, with the only change being the anti-sway bar bracket design (I think that's the only change) are around $90! With inner bracket and ball joint pre-installed. Man, if I ever need another LCA, I'm getting the 2008 style and the anti-sway end link can sort itself out. What a deal.

[mtb34]

Nice pictures of the disconnects. Looks much more professional than something I could turn out.

I did see some replacement links online that were pretty much all-thread with some bushings ... no disconnecting though.

Are those pics for a TB part or from another vehicle. I might be interested in purchasing some of those.

And Roadie you are right ... the LCAs seem much cheaper for the newer TBs ... not sure why but when the bushings go bad in the LCA mount ... just cheaper to but the whole LCA with the mount, arm, and ball joint ... go figure.

[v7guy]

yup, what Dave posted is what I had in mind.

I'd still suggest driving without it for a couple weeks and see what you think. it's a lil more squirrely, but nothing that slowing down a bit doesn't fix

[dvanbramer88]

Are those pics for a TB part or from another vehicle. I might be interested in purchasing some of those.

They're not for a trailblazer and as far as I know nobody makes a dis-connectable sway bar end link for 2008 trailblazers.

I think they are for a Toyota or something.

[Trail X]

If the overall lengths are close enough, and the thread will fit through our hole, then it will work for your truck.

[Ole Blue]

Has anyone heard about these or have any experience with these quick connects?

[Moots1288]

Has anyone heard about these or have any experience with these quick connects?

They will work, I have looked into them but they're to expensive. I believe AlecG uses them.. But you can build your own for half to 3/4s of the price of those. Just use the search bar and you'll find em.

[DirtyBacon04]

Man, if I ever need another LCA, I'm getting the 2008 style and the anti-sway end link can sort itself out. What a deal.

Is that the only difference between the two? What about the sway bar? Isn't the pinch 90 degrees off?

[Gordinho80]

I've had the front disconnected for years. I've just now removed the swaybar entirely. Also running swaybar-less in rear.

[HARDTRAILZ]

JKS are nice products, but the simple answer is to build your own or have someone build them. I think I still have supplies for at least one more set. Simple to do really.

I would go to the 08 style links in a heartbeat given the chance. Even simpler to build.

[Moots1288]

JKS are nice products, but the simple answer is to build your own or have someone build them. I think I still have supplies for at least one more set. Simple to do really.

I would go to the 08 style links in a heartbeat given the chance. Even simpler to build.

Like Kyle said they're incredibly simple to build I think I also have some material left to build a set. The only things I don't have are the lug nuts

[TBYODA]

Any way to make these for the 08 version with out a welder?

[HARDTRAILZ]

Neither needs a welder...

[Moots1288]

Any way to make these for the 08 version with out a welder?

Just some full threaded rod and some link bushings and lynch pins