This suspension part is broken. What's it called? (pic)

[Gork]

Newbie here, and I want to credit the discovery of this forum as a big reason why I'm keeping my camry.

So I've got a 1995 camry LE with lots of suspension problems, big and small. 178k miles. I'm very new at fixing cars, but I decided that it was time to get my hands dirty and learn.

This weekend I replaced the front lower control arms with MOOG. The bushings were completely shot, and it was impossible to do an alignment on it. Without alignment, I was chewing through the inside tread on tires at a dangerous rate.

With the control arms fixed, the next step is to take it to a shop for alignment. While I was working on the control arms, I noticed that this part also needed to be replaced:



The rubber around the ball part is gone, and so it's just kind of loose and rattling.

- What is this part called?
- Is it important?
- Do I have to wait until I replace this part before I can get alignment done?
- If I get it aligned now, will I just have to get it done again after I replace this part?

Thanks!

[Billiam]

That's a sway bar link. It will not effect your alignment. However, if it breaks it will cause the sway bar to clank around. You'll also lose the effect the bar has on the vehicle in turns.

[pmesfun]

That part is called the Stabilizer/Sway Bar Link.

I would go ahead and replace both sides. Deeza is a good choice and they are $14.95 each from RockAuto.com. Part Number- TYL609, the Driver and Passenger side have the same part number.

RockAuto Discount Code:63007665234977

[pmesfun]

Originally Posted by Gork

1.Do I have to wait until I replace this part before I can get alignment done?
2.If I get it aligned now, will I just have to get it done again after I replace this part?

1. No, you can go ahead and get an alignment if you wish.
2. No, this part doesn't affect alignment.

[garytho]

I also replaced my front & rear links with Deeza's. They are noticably thicker and also come with a grease fitting for long life. They are much easier to get off if needed in the future as well.
Nice!!

[GA-Guy]

If you're gonna replace the sway-bar end-links then you should take a look at the sway-bar bushings. Follow the sway-bar under the tie-rod. You should see a small bracket around the sway-bar with a rubber bushing in it. There is one on each side.

You should be able to replace them without removing the tie-rods (just turn the steering wheel to one side to extend tie-rod, stick in a wrench and undo 2 bolts) but if u're taking them off anyways it should be no hassle. Will make the ride less clanky.

[Gork]

I'll check that!

All four struts are on my list as well, but I've been getting lots of clunking from the rear, so maybe it's just the rear sway bar bushings/links. That would be nice, they seem to be much cheaper to replace than struts.

Thanks everybody, I'm getting alignment done tomorrow morning!