1997 Camry front sway bar links and bushings need replacement

[MIK1989]

Hi to everyone. The shop diagnosed that my front sway bar links and bushings need to be replaced. They ask $500 for it, I think it's too much for this kind of job, all the parts cost around $100. So I'm thinking doing it myself.

What instruments I must have? Any lubricants?
I have never done it before, can someone point me DIY for this?

Thank you.

[RU2CHKN]

You'll need a 5 mm hex wrench or possibly some vicegrips and get some lithium grease to lubricate the bushings

[Hajoca]

Rust penetrant like PB Blaster, or Release-All, Kriol will make it alot easier. Torch if you are very rusty.

Above mentioned 5mm hex, You can go to CTire or Sears and get the 5mm hex (like allen key) set into a socket which will give you alot more torque and control.

[ASG14]

1st off, get a can of PB Blaster, a set of hex sockets, and a set of ratcheting wrenches (pics below).

You don;t need grease.

For the sway bar bushings, you really should have the ratcheting wrenches. They are a BITCH to do due to the size. Not really hard, just takes some time is all.

For the sway bar links, chances are they will be rusted on. But it;s worth a try to correctly remove them. Start drenching them with PB Blaster a couple hours before starting work. Spay the 4 nuts a several times over those couple hours. You have to put the 5mm hex into the middle, and then turn the nut with the wrench (you'll likely need to hit it with a hammer). I'll give it a 20% chance it will come off if they are original. If they don;t you'll have to carefullky grind them off with either a grinder or a dremel.

[RU2CHKN]

^Mmm gear wrenches lol

[MIK1989]

I got the hex sockets and ratcheting wrenches. Also I went to get some grease, cuz people say you have to put it on bushings, I'm not too sure. It won't hurt the bushings if I put it on, right?

So, I went to buy links and bushings to the parts store, and for links they gave me these:


But on ebay I found that links should be longer for 97-01 models, these seem to be for 92-96 models.
I went to the store again, and they said that these are the right links for my Camry, for 98 they have different ones, but not for 97. I'm confused.

Did they gave me the right ones or no?

[ASG14]

Your parts stor is full of moron's.

92-96 (Gen 3) and 97-01 (Gen 4) are 2 different types. I'll be honest, I forgot what the gen 4 ones look like. but the '97 one's are the same as the '98-'01 (According to Toyota parts catalogue)

[gcozmo]

I changed the ones on my '97 and they are at least 4 or 5 times longer than those.

[pilce]

Originally Posted by MIK1989

I got the hex sockets and ratcheting wrenches. Also I went to get some grease, cuz people say you have to put it on bushings, I'm not too sure. It won't hurt the bushings if I put it on, right?

So, I went to buy links and bushings to the parts store, and for links they gave me these:


But on ebay I found that links should be longer for 97-01 models, these seem to be for 92-96 models.
I went to the store again, and they said that these are the right links for my Camry, for 98 they have different ones, but not for 97. I'm confused.

Did they gave me the right ones or no?

I just recently replaced my struts and strut mounts on my '97 Camry and in doing so I had to remove my links. Trust me those are not the right links. I would estimate the length at about 8 inches.

[MIK1989]

Ok, I will go tell them I need different ones.
How about bushings. Are these the right ones? (Same bushing from different angles)



I found this picture on ebay that represent front links. Are these right ones?


Also, when you put new ones in do you need torque wrench, to adjust tightness?

[Hajoca]

Links look fine for Gen4.

Bushings... is ther e a number like 18 or 17 moulded on the bushing (that is hole diameter) or measure inside diameter yourself.

[MIK1989]

The number on the bushing says 17

[charley240sx]

return those. those are gen3 sway bar endlinks. dont get the ones off ebay, if there is too much stress on them, they will snap at the welds, ive gone through 2 of them. just get the MOOG part ones. they are thicker and have zirc fittings so that they can be regreased. My car is really low, so when i raise up one side of the front end, it puts a lot of stress on the sway bar endlinks, the moog or OEM are the only ones i trust.
goodluck
Charley

[MIK1989]

I exchanged those for Moog ones. So when I'm going to install them I have to put grease inside? How do I do that?

[PortugalFocus]

Originally Posted by MIK1989

I exchanged those for Moog ones. So when I'm going to install them I have to put grease inside? How do I do that?

The same place you bought the end links should sell a grease gun. Get one with a few tubes of grease. It shouldn't cost more than $20-25.