Stabilizer link

bucko · Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 8:25 pm Post subject: Stabilizer link

Heard a clunk noisee today in the right front suspension. Noticed that the passenger side stabilizer link broke, at the lower bushing. Ordered a new one with upper and lower bushings. Installing the link into the lower bushing looks as easy as raising the front (jack) high enough to allow the lower link to slide down, then install the washer/nut.

It's the upper I'm not sure of. Section 40 shows the link, but no detail on installation. Do I install the bushing into the stabilizer link, then grease it and push (or hammer) it onto the sway bar, or do I put the bushing on the sway bar, then press (hammer) the stabilizer link onto it?
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Current VW drives: 1984 Westfalia

Past VW drives: 1967 Beetle, 1973 Beetle, 1977 Bus, 1971 Military Type 181

Luckypabst · Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 9:02 pm Post subject:

I put the bushing into the link and pressed the sway bar into the bushing. No way could I have done it with the sway bar installed on the van. Maybe you can figure out some apparatus to press them together but I had to use a hydraulic press and some dishsoap.

The little donuts at the arm were not easy either. I had to compress them with a combination of C-clamps to get the nut started.

Chris
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'82 TD Westy
'81 NA Caddy

bucko · Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 4:37 am Post subject:

I plan to grease that upper bushing, and hope I can use a decent weight hammer to slide it over the end of the sway bar.

Thanks for the heads up.
_________________
Current VW drives: 1984 Westfalia

Past VW drives: 1967 Beetle, 1973 Beetle, 1977 Bus, 1971 Military Type 181

MarkWard · Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 12:44 pm Post subject:

You will need to take the other side apart anyhow most likely. They break because the 8mm stud siezes in the control arm bushings. Glad they are available new. I repaired my broken one by drilling the link and welding in a new 8mm bolt.
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bucko · Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 3:09 pm Post subject:

pioneer1 · Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 5:32 pm Post subject: stabalizer

Bucco: Great news...I did it!
I removed the stabalizer bar and the passenger link that was still intact. It too had seized and was probably due to break. I had to heat up the metal bush that is inside with a torch and used an old 3/8 socket to pound on so as not to strip the threads.
To instal the upper rubber bush
1-place stabalizer in vice
2-heat up rubber bush in hot water to make plyable
3-spray all components with silicon/wd40/soap
4-start the bush into the link and the bar and then hammer them together!
I was done in an hour.
Be sure to put antiseize compound on the metal pipe/bushing so it doesn't seize up again.

msinabottle · Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 7:54 pm Post subject: Yayyyy!

Another neophyte has proved that, yes, IT VAN BE DONE! Er, can be done. Congratulations on your skill and determination. I'm scared to death of suspension work.

Best!
_________________
'Winston,' '84 1.9 WBX Westy
Vanagon Poet Laureate: "I have suffered in
many ways, but never, never, never in silence."

foodeater · Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 9:03 pm Post subject:

I did the "weld on" stud repair on my syncro. it lasted for years until the van was totalled. If i remember correctly, with a lot of grunt it went on pretty easily.
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89 Bluestar-2.5 Subaru Powered-RIP
'84 Westy Tiico-daily driver-sold
'82 Caddy diesel-sold
'87 Vanagon Syncro-RIP
'81 diesel rabbit-sold
'82 Vanagon auto-RIP

MarkWard · Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 6:40 am Post subject:

I drilled the link so as to insert the cutoff bolt or stud into the link before welding. So it is not butt welded. In looking at the design, I don't think there is much side load on the stud until it becomes frozen. Where did you get the new link and bushings? I was leaving on a trip when I noticed it had broken so the repair was necessary at the time.
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m2008s · Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 8:21 am Post subject:

i just bought a whole bar links and all used for 80- shipped all here. F replacing those links.
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Sigeats · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 2:15 pm Post subject: Antiseize

Broke my driver side stabilizer link this morning. Just ordered a couple new links along with upper and lower bushings. Wondering about the antiseize? Could someone recommend which type to use, and exactly where it should be applied? Does it go inside the metal pipe that runs inside of the lower bushings so the bolt of the control arm doesn't seize to the metal pipe?

Thanks!
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'84 Westfalia

tencentlife · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 6:25 pm Post subject:

You're supposed to dip every part in it.
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Sigeats · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 6:42 pm Post subject:

Thanks tencentlife . . . never used the stuff before. I try Napa or Kragen or something.
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'84 Westfalia

tencentlife · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 7:00 pm Post subject:

OK, you know I was kidding, right?

You should use anti-sneeze during hayfever season (like now; ahh-choo! damn juniper!), and use it to coat any and all threads, and especially bolts where they go thru sleeves and bushings in suspension applications like you're considering. I don't use it everywhere, but on and around engines I'm careful to use it anywhere there's the potential for water to find its way in. Under the car, water gets into the sleeves around bolts in the middle of rubber bushings and ends up fusing the parts together.
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Please don't PM here, I will not reply.

Experience is kryptonite to doctrine.

Sigeats · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 7:06 pm Post subject:

Um . . . yeah, sure . . . of course.

Actually no.

But I got it. Just finished removing all the old parts, and it's obvious what parts needed it, and which parts didn't.
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'84 Westfalia

honkyg · Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2010 8:34 am Post subject: stabilzer link

Greetings,
I'm a newer westy owner (bought an '82 last August). While crawling around under the bus last night I notice my passenger side stabilizer link was not only broken but had been abandoned completely. The link is just hanging off the sway bar and a bolt was placed through the lower bushing to keep things together. I can't believe I hadn't noticed this on previous inspection sessions. I've driven this thing a LOT! I plan on fixing it asap but was wondering how dangerous it was for me driving like this? Also, could you guys tell me where you bought your new link components?

Thanks,
Dave

insyncro · Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2010 8:52 am Post subject:

I have 2wd and Syncro links available.
Complete sway bars with all mounting parts as well.
pmail please.

dylan

randywebb · Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2010 1:06 pm Post subject:

re: which type antiseize to use

silver colored stuff is fine for most uses; the copper colored stuff has Cu in it and is for high heat applications, such as around the exhaust

FWIW - Porsche says to use Optimolly brand - but no idea if any brand from a local FLAPS is as good or not...

- it goes a very long way

- some controversy as to whether it alters torque spec.s or not... the Optimolly HT does not

ancient trick is to use Milk of Magnesia...
_________________
1986 2.1L Westy 2wd Auto Trans.


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