Does this sound safe?
 

I’ve been hearing a clunking noise in the front end for about a month now. Did a search on the forum and found a likely culprit, loose front sway bushings. Finally got a chance to put it up on the ramps today and sure enough there was my clunk. I never got around to ordering the bushing kit. Phil has it L1049-36181 for $30.33. So I undid the 8 nuts and bolts and had a look at the bushing and the sway bar. The bushing were really worn out and the sway bar seems to be worn where the bushing hold it. I found it hard to believe that rubber could wear steel so maybe they are made with a slightly smaller diameter where the bushings hold it in place. Since I couldn’t get the bushings on a Saturday, I took some EPDM (1/16” rubber roofing) and rapped it around the sway bar where the bushings go. I put it back together and took it for a test drive, my clunk was gone. So do you think it’s ok to leave it like this until I get the bushings?

Chris

Probably fine...that old rubber can't be any better.

ditto,

Thanks guys.

I thought it was ok, but it's nice to have a second and third opinion. I sure love this forum.

Chris

it probably wont last very long though.

rubber roofing is a lot different than sway bushings.

tom w

It's the grit that gets between the rubber and the bar.

So it's not just me, the bar can actually wear. I read in another thread that someone had ordered new bushings and they were too loose. So when I get new bushing if they are to loose, I guess I need to replace the sway bar. Sure hope Phil can get them.

Chris