2005 Toyota 4Runner sway bar bushings and Sway bar end links

if you have a clunk over bumps in your 4th gen Toyota 4runner then watch this. This 4runner is a 2005 or 2006 and it had a clunk that was very loud on rough roads. with the help of a partner you can rock the vehicle back and forth while you look under the vehicle for the source of the clunk. On this 4runner the cluck was coming from the sway bar bushings but since the sway bar end link has damaged boots I changed those at the same time.

[@afellowinnewengland6142]

Folks, DO NOT use an impact wrench to tighten the main sway bar bushing bolts. Factory spec is 30 ft lbs and you risk breaking off the nut inside the frame. Also, if you live in the rust belt soak these on the inside of the frame and outside on the bolt the day before and then again an hour before you start.

[@OptimusIsHere]

This video was phenomenal thank you. Simple and exactly what I needed

[@a4achtung]

Replacing these parts today, thanks for the great vid 👍🏼

[@mountainstomarshes8966]

dude, this video is SO helpful!

[@ThePracticalMechanic]

Thank, I’m glad it helped you out. Did yours need links and bushings? Most replace the links first and then realize the bushing are also shot.

[@mountainstomarshes8966]

@@ThePracticalMechanic I just ordered bushings last night off Amazon. Going to try those first, have some end links in the garage if I need to bring out the big guns!

[@josemarquez86]

Thank you sir 😊👍

[@dand1654]

Nicely done. Subscribed

[@ThePracticalMechanic]

Thanks. 🤙🏻

[@jlemus256]

Great video.

[@ThePracticalMechanic]

Thanks and thank you for stopping by and watching.

[@1984bgonzalez]

Great video super helpful. Would that work on a rear wheel drive one same year?

[@GiulioSciorio]

Thank you for making this video. I'm about to replace my links and bushings and I'm planning on greasing the bushings. Curious why you did not?

[@franksaralegui2788]

I have a 30mm front bar. Which bushing did you use?

[@KingZoneOne]

What are the link bolts torqued to?

[@gideongwadaputtu4270]

very helpful to me . how much is the parts?

[@MikeSwartz]

Any need to lift it up to replace the sway bar bushings? Didn't know if tension on the sway bar would be prohibitive with wheels on the ground vs wheels off the ground.

[@ThePracticalMechanic]

Mike Swartz no need to lift it up at all. The sway bar can rotate in the bushings and the link can rotate at each end so there won’t be any adverse load or binding if you do it the air or on the ground. The links are just harder to get to when on the ground.

[@MikeSwartz]

@@ThePracticalMechanic This was exactly the clunk noise I was having that the Toyota dealership I used to have service my 4Runner could not figure out multiple times (expensive diagnostic without ANY result from them). Was rather easy to replace on the ground. $18.50 for www.napaonline.com/en/p/NCZ2652636 and half an hour, all good! Thanks for this video, great to see the actual reason for the clunk and get it fixe at home for not much $.

[@ThePracticalMechanic]

That’s awesome. It always good to save some cash and even better when you can complete a repair on your vehicle yourself.

[@mikeys4463]

do you need to grease the bushings before install??

[@ThePracticalMechanic]

Mike C the factory repair manual does not mention the application or any lubricant. If the bar is pitted at all I will clean up the bar with sand paper and apply wheel bearing grease lightly on the bar to prevent future rusting.

[@poophead123758]

Are the sway bar links supposed to move left and right, or are they supposed to firm and not move at all?

[@ThePracticalMechanic]

CaptainChris the joint at the end of the link will allow pivoting motion but should allow up and down motion. New ones are typically very firm and they loosen up over time.

[@poophead123758]

@@ThePracticalMechanic thank you for the insight and taken the time to respond, very much appreciated, thank you

[@joecerda630]

Any torque specs or do you just run the impact till it stops?

[@ThePracticalMechanic]

Joe Cerda Bushing bolts ~30 ftlbs and links 52

[@tugboats6328]

Nice Video! Very helpful. Sorry if I missed it, can you provide the make and model of the replacement parts? How do they compare to OEM? Thanks

[@ThePracticalMechanic]

Tugboat S the parts I typically use are the premium chassis parts from NAPA. They are usually comparable to the factory units but carry a better warranty. The factory OEM parts are always the best fit and function but many people don’t like the one year warranty that the factory part has.

[@dwall3329]

Is the sway bar bushing procedure identical with a 2009 RX 350 ?

[@ThePracticalMechanic]

No it’ll be quite a bit different. The RX 350 will likely have the swaybar on top of the cradle behind the engine. It is a little more difficult to do but not terrible.

[@mikeys4463]

What is the torque spec ?

[@ThePracticalMechanic]

Bushing bolts ~30 ftlbs and links 52

[@jd6660]

Thanks

[@travelteam89]

Next time dont tighten the otherside down itll help align the opposite side better.....

[@burnsraps7884]

Little learning by each video

[@ThePracticalMechanic]

That's the best way to do it. I try to learn something new each day. Problem is I forget something else twice a day it seems.