Completed on a 2005 Uplander

For those people who still have the stock sway bar links, here's what I wen through yesterday. My wife and I drove the van for 50 miles after the fix, and the steering is much firmer, there is no more "clunk" after going over any bumps, and there is much less vibration from the front end (I need to balance my tires). If you need more help, I'll see about taking some pictures of the finished product.

I replaced my sway bar links yesterday with a set of Moog Sway Bar Links that I bought from rock auto dot com. $58 shipped to the door. You will be disgusted with the stock links when you compare them to the new ones. The Moog set is about an inch longer, greasable, and is at least double the thickness (diameter). It took me about an hour to install the parts, that included jacking the vehicle up and removing the tires.

A quick list of tools and supplies that you will need is:

1. 15mm socket and wratchet, a 3" extention helps with upper side
2. needle nosed vice grips (for removing the stock links. the back side of the thru bolt is round)
3. jack and jackstand. You will need to use the jackstand to keep the vehicle raised and use the jack on the lower ball joint to raise the wheel assembly to remove/install the links easily
4. grease gun (if the new links are greasable, if not, not necessary)
5. torque wrench (only if you are **** retentive about correct ft/lbs like I am)
6. box end wrench for installing the new link (whatever size the thru bolt is on the new link)
7. new links.
8. 2 beers (optional).

I give the job a 2 beer ranking on the degree of difficulty.

Degrees of difficulty:
1 beer: changing a tire
3 beers: replacing serpentine belt
5 beers: replacing ball joints
10 beers: top end rebuild on engine

Hope this helps someone!
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Thanks for posting this thread.. I was kind of sick with my stock sway bar link so I decided to replace them with a better one. So i searched the forums and found this post. I was successful in the replacement just a while ago and this really helped me a lot.

 

I wished I had seen this post or had the personal knowledge to change my sway bar links.

I too have a 2005 Uplander and I have had the dealership change both left and right links within the last 5 years.

This is an excellent post for any do it your self person who is willing tackle the job. It is posts like this that really get me revved up to keep reading this forum.

 

Did the dealer replace them with OEM links? Quality replacement links like MOOG are cheaper and better.
Take a look at the links on your van and next time you are at NAPA, AAP etc ask to see a pair of MOOGS.

 

No... I think the dealership replaced my sway bar links with GM stuff. I am not a mechanic... wish I was sometimes. The cost was $120 including labor. I no longer have the clunk sound. As for the steering, it seems okay.

If the part ever fails again, I will look for upgraded replacement parts.

Even though I am not a mechanic, I have learned now to consider upgraded parts for replacement after the vehicle is clear of warranty.

Thanks for your advice about upgraded parts.

 

Is there any way you could post the part number of the Moog sway bar links that you used.

Thanks
Doug

 

Federal-Mogul Resource Center - Part Details

Hope this link works

 

Here it is on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...01_i01_details

Only $31 on here. Mine should be delivered today (along with new front struts, also off of Amazon)

 

I believe RockAuto had them cheaper. I may be wrong.