So I bought ne sway bar links with urethane bushings. First the torque arms on the sway dar are short so the link end goes through allot of angle from un loaded to compressed suspension. But with the car on the lift the mismatch is so bad the bolt can barely go through and the link cant be tightened enough to close the gap. It gets to the point that crushes the bushings and still doesnt close. I also noticed some clunking and I think it is the gap shown closing when suspension moves, frees the bolt, the clunks when it hits the bolt. I think the original bolts were 5/16” and aftermarket is 3/8”. Is this a common problem? Would soft rubber bushings be better? Both pictures are with car on lift AFTER tightening them even with suspension half compressed.
If you can’t tighten them correctly the spacer bar on the link is to short . And you should be doing your final torque with the wheels in the ground and the suspension loaded not hanging off the hoist .
The Jalopy Journal
