HOW TO:- Sway bar link pin BUSH replacement

[BOMI]

I decided to replace my Link pin bushs as they were squashed and worn and at only $20 for the 4 bushes I thought "why not, ill do it myself and see if it (noise) goes away.

http://www.trackchat.com.au/media/data/500/medium/IMG_8750.jpg


So here is How to replace a VY C'dores front Sway link pin bushes.


First take the wheel off. Now there are no photo's of how to take the wheel off because if you need photo's to do this then dont try this HOW TO.


The top of the Link pin bush LPB has a small 16mm nut attaching it to the wheel strut. The spanner is attached to the nut in the photo below.

http://www.trackchat.com.au/media/data/500/medium/IMG_8744.jpg

Now undo this nut, I didnt have an open ender so used a ring spanner. This made the job very fiddly. BUY A 16mm OPEN ENDER if you do this.


Now that you have the top of the LPB off place a 14mm spanner on the lower part of the link pin. Spanner is attached to the nut in the below photo.

http://www.trackchat.com.au/media/data/500/medium/IMG_8745.jpg

Now remove the 14mm spanner. After you do this the LPB will come off and you can replce the old bushes.



Here is the LP with Bushes attached. See photo below.


http://www.trackchat.com.au/media/data/500/medium/IMG_8746.jpg


Below is a top view of one of the bushes, you can see that it is worn.


http://www.trackchat.com.au/media/data/500/medium/IMG_8747.jpg


Below is a photo of the sway bar link pin on its own, you can see that in comparison to the screw driver next to it, it looks slightly bent, it is.


http://www.trackchat.com.au/media/data/500/medium/IMG_8749.jpg


Now get your new bushes and place the non and make sure they fit and that you know where you are going to place them. See photo below.


http://www.trackchat.com.au/media/data/500/medium/IMG_87511.jpg


Now place the Link pin and bushes back on the car in the reverse order of taking it off. Tighten the 16mm nut untill the bushes is seen to squash between the washers, then tighten 1 to 2 more times.



Below is the LP and the bushes back in place. All up this should take about 45minutes. It took me longer as I didnt have an open ender spanner.

http://www.trackchat.com.au/media/data/500/medium/IMG_8752.jpg

I dont think this will stop the Clunk but it will rule the LPB's out if its still there tomorrow.


Troy :thumbs:

[Febs]

Great guide Troy. :)

I had a similar problem with mine, but my link pins were pretty bent (worse than yours). Replaced with Nolathane ones and all good (they're thicker than the standard Holden ones). :) Cost was around $65 from memory...though maybe that was each. I remember the standard Holden ones were cheap, but they bend too easily.

Hope it sorts your problem. :)

Cheers,
- Febs.

[35R]

Good post Bomi, well done.

And whats this.. the gramps calais is bending the LP's them more than Troys SS? You're not pushing hard enough mitta.

[Febs]

And whats this.. the gramps calais is bending the LP's them more than Troys SS? You're not pushing hard enough mitta.

I think it's because Troy spends his time drifting around corners, which doesn't load up the link pins like going around a corner normally does...

...or something. :confused:

:D

[lautray]

I think it's because Troy spends his time drifting around corners, which doesn't load up the link pins like going around a corner normally does...
:lol: :lol: :lol:

[OLS108]

Great Thread BOMI, this is fast becoming the most informative LSX forum around.
Cheers i will give mine ago on the weekend, any different for VX?

[BOMI]

Thanks fellas, Febs this is my second set of LP's and third set of LPB's.



Great Thread BOMI, this is fast becoming the most informative LSX forum around.
Cheers i will give mine ago on the weekend, any different for VX?


Thanks mate, should be absolutely zero difference IMHO :thumbs:


Troy :)

[DaveHAT]

Thanks fellas, Febs this is my second set of LP's and third set of LPB's.

Thanks mate, should be absolutely zero difference IMHO :thumbs:


Troy :)

Correct Troy, however VT and earlier link pins didn't have the articulating ball joint at the bottom and they look like this:

http://www.trackchat.com.au/media/data/500/medium/new_link_pins_2.JPG

I replaced mine with these HD suckers after I bent the 3rd set. That was with no track work or hard steering inputs. They are just a shit design from Holden unfortunately.

[seedyrom]

they're monsters!!!

Where'd you get em Dave? and how many of your Australian pesos did they relieve you of?

[DaveHAT]

they're monsters!!!

Where'd you get em Dave? and how many of your Australian pesos did they relieve you of?

Seedy,

Pedders sell them for $70 or some shit but I found the same things on ebay as seen here:

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/COMMODORE-HEAVY-DUTY-SWAY-BAR-LINK-KIT-VN-VP-VR-VS-VT_W0QQitemZ250081026260QQihZ015QQcategoryZ102357Q QrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Much better design the OEM as they are heavier and are designed with the bend in mind. :thumbs:

[VXCHEV8]

Thanks Bomi for the post and Tiger SS for the link :)

[aussie372]

dragging up an old thread , i had a rego inspectio today and it appears that my link pin bushes are shagged so , following daves lead i located the same seller on ebay and purchased the following http://cgi.ebay.com.au/COMMODORE-HEAVY-DUTY-SWAY-BAR-LINK-KIT-VN-VP-VR-VS-VT_W0QQitemZ250100491031QQcategoryZ102357QQtcZphot oQQcmdZViewItem
total cost $38 delivered to my door .. He has 2 sets remaining also ..
cheers mark

[highlander_69r]

great writeup bomi:bravo:

ill have a look at mine when the ss gets back from the Hi torque........rather sad seeing it go on a tow truck :(

[VooDoo]

Here is a set inc the pins for $35

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/COMMODORE-HEAVY-DUTY-SWAY-BAR-LINK-PIN-KIT-NOLATHANE_W0QQitemZ140104218529QQcategoryZ102360QQ tcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

[firebug]

I went looking on ebay too, but only seem to be for VN - VT. No VX onwards yet. Does anyone make HD pins for VX onwards? Any competent fitter could make the VT items, but the ones with the ball lower end would be a hassle.

[DaveHAT]

Here is a set inc the pins for $35

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/COMMODORE-HEAVY-DUTY-SWAY-BAR-LINK-PIN-KIT-NOLATHANE_W0QQitemZ140104218529QQcategoryZ102360QQ tcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

Tried those, worse than the OEM link pins. :puke:

[Stevie_D]

After hitting a massive pot hole two weeks back during the heavy rain at night (that popped two brand new tyres and buckled one mag :headbang: ) my link pins too are now bent.

Dr Shocks in Brookvale are supplying and installing 2 new heavy duty link pins for $120 with nolathane bushes.

I'll take some pics and post them up.

[BOMI]

Cheers Steve :cheers:

Hey did you go after the council that looked after that part of the road where you stuffed your Rim etc?


Troy :)

[Stevie_D]

Hi Troy,

No I didn't, do you think it's worth a try? Do you know of anyone that's successfully done that?

Steve

[BOMI]

Steve I dont know mate.

If the coucil leave it there too long then its their fault IMHO.

Troy :)

[Stevie_D]

For the cost of two tyres I don't have time to go on an endless goose chase.

I do believe in justice and holding people accountable but I also know how to spot a situation that will be like trying to suck blood out of a stone.

I am happy to just let it go and move on and enjoy my life and my car :)

I'm also looking at getting all new bushings as my car has now clocked up 32,000 clicks and they must be getting pretty ratty.

Atm I'm looking at Noltec and will be chasing prices in the next few weeks :yep:

[Stevie_D]

Regarding sway bar link pins, after being advised by my mobile mechanic that they were bent and needed replacing I have today found out that they are already heavy duty link pins and they are meant to have a slight bend in them.

I'm glad I got a second opinion and didn't pay to have them replaced with std items :yep:

[chrishsv]

Have a question for the suspension guru's. The Vt is due for link pin bushes but instead of replacing them with heavy duty items does anyone know if its possible to swap out a complete swaybar from a vx into a vt to allow for the type with the lower ball joint? Pressumably it should work considering they're the same body although the strut could have a different offset?

[VooDoo]

YEs it will fit but its a BIG job. You need to drop the K frame, support the engine and its fiddly as hell. If your going to that trouble id get a whiteline sway bar put in.

[chrishsv]

Thanks Voodoo just what i wanted to hear.

cheers