How to Rebuild A Stabilizer Bar - 1973-87 Chevy & GMC

[@jasonperry1680]

Great video. Lots of questions about getting the eye bushings installed. Without a press, you can purchase two piece poly bushing that can be tapped in from each side off of Ebay. These work great and all you need is a mallet.

[@MechanicLife]

Thanks for the tips!

[@salvatorelivreri]

What a difference the right tools make! I have a good bit, but I could have used a smaller ratchet and the right size of extension to get at those rearward bolt heads on the front frame bracket, especially on the passenger side as my brake lines were positioned much worse than yours. I ended up using that front access window like you but I used a 5/8” socket attached to a short extension with a u-joint to which I was able to fasten a vice grip that went through the “window” In the frame. Unreal! Thanks for the tip on punching out the old bushings. I was dreading that tomorrow.

[@gmtech0]

Loved the Video nice and simple Sir !!!!!!!! I got a set of energy suspension bushing kit and the rear bar bushings are split with a tube to that goes through, Super easy. Thanks again

[@MechanicLife]

You bet!

[@dudemanguyfella3736]

Liking your videos. Ive got a 76 GMC that needs some tlc Subbed

[@MechanicLife]

76 is an awesome year. I would like to get an older one...fully removable top!

[@nathanaelvillalba7838]

can you tell me the bushings you got for the end links? pretty sure I have the wrong ones. thank you.

[@leogetsome]

Cool video 👍🏼

[@Garth2011]

Good review and a best method to clean up and paint while you are at it. Forget to show us how you pressed in those rubber bushings. My mechanic said all of that takes a special "tool" when pressing them into the sway bar eye. I didn't believe his story.

[@gerardovazquez4665]

I just got and eye bushing from the auto store and looked nothing like the one you put on you have a part number or somthing?

[@MechanicLife]

There are a bunch of different styles. Dont have the part number for that one.

[@scottfell5293]

Great video, dont forget to grease the i.d. of your bushings too!

[@gdc818]

Where did you get the bushings kit? I have a 82 k10 and the bushings need to be change

[@MechanicLife]

Autozone. They will look it up for you and help you out.

[@Garth2011]

Buy good parts like Moog. Cheap aftermarket parts will not last long.

[@user-ds9zd8eq6u]

Moog is Chinese!

[@mobilemike8500]

Anybody looking at this video trying to figure out how to press in the eye bushings you're probably working with the one and a quarter inch sway bar those bushings have to be pressed in with a special tapered installation tool as the rubber is so tight and the center sleeve is not supposed to slip out ...you're not getting the wrong bushings they're just really impossible to install they do make a two piece neoprene or polyset they don't really show it 4 the year of the truck but I believe they're going to fit.. getting the old bushings out is simple you just Heat with a torch and drive them right out kind of fun actually cuz the rubber burns like those snakes on the 4th of July

[@Garth2011]

Seems true, our mechanic told us he could do this job for us but once he got all taken off and started to press in the bushings, he found out the special tool was needed to install the new bushings, he didn't have one. What an idiot...got us all set for a simple job and then he spends a bunch of time trying to round up a special tool which he should have had in the first place. I have no idea how mechanics can think they made a profit doing business like that.

[@jaytank31]

Where did you find the bushings lol ive bought 2 sets and both are wrong.

[@MechanicLife]

I got them at Autozone. I bought 4 sets before I found the right ones and even then I had to have a shop with a press set them in place.

[@Garth2011]

Best to look into Moog parts...

[@jaytank31]

@@Garth2011 I still haven't got them lol. I just took the bar out.

[@CTrane82]

Hey Luke do you know the torque specs for this application? I’m finding a lot of different info. Thank you, Sir

[@MechanicLife]

Try this table. It should get you what you need. www.gmsquarebody.com/threads/k20-sway-bar-torque-specs.26163/

[@jaytank31]

I need these bushing.

[@MechanicLife]

Autozone! MOOG;)

[@michaelhendrix8995]

Wait……. How did you get the bushings in??????!!???!?

[@MechanicLife]

The bushings were a bear to get in. I had to take it a tire shop and have them use their press to make them seat.

[@jaytank31]

Did you rebuild the springs

[@thatguy_jose]

Anyone know the size of the bolt holding the sway bar bracket in the front??

[@thejakein7867]

My 76 K5 would wonder on the road. Got under it today and noticed a one of the bushing brackets was completely missing and all bushings are shot. Hopefully this is the culprit of the wondering steering.

[@MechanicLife]

Holy crap! Probably a contributor for sure.

[@jaytank31]

What does a bad bar look like

[@montanamade1114]

Basically just like the one I had;) Old nasty bushings and rust.

[@nathanjett7051]

Me and my dad are rebuilding an 86 Chevy crew cab long bes

[@MechanicLife]

Thats awesome!

[@MustObeyTheRules]

I can’t find the bracket that the front of the sway bar bolts to. Mines a 73 k20 and looks nothing like these 80s trucks

[@bigcat2679]

Just run the sway bar over to a powder coated and get It blasted and coated for 15 bucks.

[@MechanicLife]

Yep, also a good option! If you can in the area where you live, not always possible in rural spots.

[@leonardcherry1314]

Anyone replacing these bushings need Energy Suspension part# 3-5118

[@andyk3950]

thanks for the tip. I used the part number you provided to search up the pieces....Energy Suspension now lists the part/kit as #31580

[@jacobstrouble7666]

Anyone know what the part number for the bushing drive kit was?

[@MechanicLife]

I dont remember what it was. I had is spec'd by Autozone though when I did it.

[@jacobstrouble7666]

@@MechanicLife Guess I'll have to buy the two piece bushings at summit. I've had 3 shops attempt to press them but no luck there and I'm quite competent mechanicaly so there must be a tool designed to compress the bushing enough to press it without tearing it up. Do you remember what shop installed them for you? If so would you be willing to pass on their contact info? Thanks for getting back.