Front link pin movement.

[VYMAD]

Just wondering guys, If I grab hold of the front sway bar link pin, and pull/push it to and fro, should there be any movement in them at all? The entire top assembly of the bushes and the washers have some sideways movement. If the answer is "No, should not have movement" then is it worth replacing the entire link pin with the ball joint on the bottom? Or is it better to only replace the top bushes? Car has done 127,000 and has standard suspension. I always assumed that there should be no slop in the top bushes.
Cheers for responses.

[vr1uz-fe]

just do the bushes

if you grab the ball joint part and feel a knock then you need new links but otherwise the balllinks are faily good

[db_notso]

a little is normal
but if you can hear a noise like keys jangiling when going over small bumps there gone
if they are split like cracks through them there gone
if you lift BOTH front wheels of the ground they should be firm and not clack when you jiggle them about

DONT REPLACE THE WHOLE THING!
just replace the bushes unless the joint is noisy and moves in and out from its socket when BOTH wheels are jackep off the ground

new ones come with two new nus for a reason just fit them so they dont work loose on you!~

hope this helps!~

[VYMAD]

Yes, this does help, maybe they're ok then. I noticed a strange noise today when doing a full lock turn to the right and then straightening up again, was hoping that might have been the problem.

[VYMAD]

If I do buy new bushes, are repco ok or is there a preferred brand that is better quality? (I don't want to go nolathane)

[db_notso]

nolathane makes some very long lasting bushes so does superpro but no NORMAL preson would notcie the difference in "performance"

[vr1uz-fe]

If I do buy new bushes, are repco ok or is there a preferred brand that is better quality? (I don't want to go nolathane)

why dont you want nolathane ????? plz explain

[db_notso]

holden sells the bushes cheap too only about 35 bucks or so just ask for trade price

[wortus]

holden sells the bushes cheap too only about 35 bucks or so just ask for trade price

I've got the 4 bushes from Holden and will replace them next service, a mate picked them up for me and they only cost about $12. I wouldn't be bothering with replacing the links themselves with either standard or Nolathane unless the lower "ball joint" ends were worn out as well. I haven't looked at the top nuts, are they like the nuts on a VN link, crimped on 3 sides so they stay tight? If so I'll get some new ones as well or use nylock nuts. Does anyone know what the thread size is?

[VYMAD]

Holden's price sounds ok, I felt the top nut with my fingers and it just felt like a normal nut.

[db_notso]

yeah is a normal nut but when undoing and tightening the thread stretches on them if you dont replace sometimes they strip the thread of link pin.. so i just replace
wowowo you got better than trade price good on ya!~

[VYMAD]

why dont you want nolathane ????? plz explain

Because I've read that they are prone to cracking or splitting. I am quite happy to go with the standard rubber bushes.

For the price, I might just go ahead and stick some newies in as I occaisionly hear a rattle/jingling from there and there is a bit of sideways movement at the top of the pin when the wheels are on the ground. When the wheels are off the ground the bushes are easily spun around on the link pin and with wheels on ground the bushes spin round too, but with quite a bit of effort.... Time for a change. eh?

[db_notso]

agreed replace them but just so you know they seem to only have a lifespan of about 18 months and you have too tighten them again

[VYMAD]

agreed replace them but just so you know they seem to only have a lifespan of about 18 months and you have too tighten them again

Holden replaced mine 4 years ago under warranty, do you think it might be worth tightening the existing bushes? They don't appear to be cracked or anything. Cheers.

[db_notso]

lol 4 years is longer than 2 or so years...
if you tighten it and the nut gets really tight but bush still moves stop or you will strip the thread but yeah tightening is the short term fix normally...

[VYMAD]

Ok, thanks, I shall def go with the new set, cheers for your quick responses.

[VYMAD]

Ok I can get a new set of bushes off Holden for $28.55 So to change them should I undo the nut on the bottom of the link pin where the little ball joint is to lower the link pin out? Or is it not necessary to do this, just undo the top only and push it down or something?

[vr1uz-fe]

lol urathane out lasts the rubber ones what you probaly read was them spliting from ppl installing the washers wrong lol

[beauzo]

undo the bottom one first. you should be able to wriggle it out and then undo the top one. take a picture so you remember the order of all the washers and bushes before you remove it all though.
I think rubber bushes have a better feel than urathane anyway, especially in a lowered car with not much shock movement. and urathane can get an annoying squeek to them. Its each to there own for bushes as there isn't much of a difference between the two

[vr1uz-fe]

omg i install these all the time use the urathane if unsure get it done by a mechanic with warrenty then if you dont like it you can winge

[VYMAD]

Thanks Beauzo, I'll nut it out, I'm sure.

Get a mechanic to do it? LOL! The only person who touches ANYTHING on my car other than me is the tyre fitter.

I will go with rubber for sure, I reckon nolathane is overrated from what I have read and been told. Each to thier own, eh.

Cheers for replies guys.