DSMblue

I have the front bar off the car, but need advice on the best way to get the end link and bushing off the bar. Torch is not an option, as the rest of the family would not be happy with burning rubber smell.

krazykarl

Soapy water worked for me when I replaced the front bushings on my S2 swaybar a few weeks ago. Then to get them out of the hardware I just cut one of the flared ends off the bushing.

DSMblue

I'll give that a try tonight. Did you just use a razor knife for the bushing end cut-off? Also, were you able to press the new bushings in using a bench vise, or did you take them to a shop?

V2Rocket

non-oil lube/water+soap and a vise is all it takes to get them in.

put some penetrating lube inside where the old bushing touches the bar, you dont need to worry about it eating the bushing since youre replacing it anyway it should slide off pretty easy after that.

while youve got the bar off its a perfect chance to paint it

krazykarl

Don't remember exactly, it was a box cutter or exacto knife I believe. I got the new ones in by squeezing one end in, pushing it as far in as I could with a small bench vice, then pulling the other end out with a set of needle-nose pliers.

This is what one of the old bushings looked like after 115k miles and a power steering leak...

DSMblue

I had thought about painting, and probably will since the car is still down waiting for the upper radiator hose to come from Pelican. I should be able to just paint the outer portions of the bar, the center is fine (due to oil leak from pan gasket!)