Broken front sway bar - DIY?

[Garth Schindel]

Hi
I had our 2014 in to the mechanic for a general check - we want to sell it. He found that the front sway bar is broken. Says that it is a $1000 Canadian part unique to mopar and is on a 6-8 week backorder. I found this on amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/Stabilizer-Co...8690789529-B0D5B4ZT4Z-&hvexpln=0&gad_source=1

or this with a few more pieces https://www.amazon.ca/55398938AC-Su...6755265681-B0GX66SC8B-&hvexpln=0&gad_source=1
That is supposed to fit. For that price I'm very tempted to try. I've never changed a sway bar but it doesn't look that hard?? DIY type job? Will it need an alignment after?
Thanks for your help.

After watching a video and having a look this looks dead easy to me. I gave all the bolts a good spray of penetrating oil. When the amazon part comes I'll give it a try. If I've missed anything let me know.

 

[06 Dodge]

Hi
I had our 2014 in to the mechanic for a general check - we want to sell it. He found that the front sway bar is broken. Says that it is a $1000 Canadian part unique to mopar and is on a 6-8 week backorder. I found this on amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/Stabilizer-Co...8690789529-B0D5B4ZT4Z-&hvexpln=0&gad_source=1

or this with a few more pieces https://www.amazon.ca/55398938AC-Su...6755265681-B0GX66SC8B-&hvexpln=0&gad_source=1
That is supposed to fit. For that price I'm very tempted to try. I've never changed a sway bar but it doesn't look that hard?? DIY type job? Will it need an alignment after?
Thanks for your help.

I would look for another brand as that one is so new no one had left feedback for it and with so many parts included would guess its from china, who knows of its a quality product would not risk my life by using it, jmo

 

[DILLIGAF]

Just throw it in the trash it's free front sway bars are not needed on IFS trucks.

 

[1999 White C5 Coupe]

Hi
I had our 2014 in to the mechanic for a general check - we want to sell it. He found that the front sway bar is broken. Says that it is a $1000 Canadian part unique to mopar and is on a 6-8 week backorder. I found this on amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/Stabilizer-Co...8690789529-B0D5B4ZT4Z-&hvexpln=0&gad_source=1

or this with a few more pieces https://www.amazon.ca/55398938AC-Su...6755265681-B0GX66SC8B-&hvexpln=0&gad_source=1
That is supposed to fit. For that price I'm very tempted to try. I've never changed a sway bar but it doesn't look that hard?? DIY type job? Will it need an alignment after?
Thanks for your help.

After watching a video and having a look this looks dead easy to me. I gave all the bolts a good spray of penetrating oil. When the amazon part comes I'll give it a try. If I've missed anything let me know.

Several months ago the original front sway bar broke on my 2014 Ram 1500 Outdoorsman 4WD, at about 120,*** miles. I had it repaired at the Ram dealer, using OEM parts.

The bar was expensive. I had them install new bar bushings, and sway bar links and bushings.

There are several OEM front sway bars used on the 2014 models, and of course the one for my truck was the most expensive. It was about $700 USD. The dealer ordered the bar and bushings, and they arrived in one day.

I did not attempt to repair the vehicle as I have had too many surgeries that limit my vehicle repairs.

 

[pacofortacos]

Look on car-part.com

 

[Wild one]

He's about 20 miles north of me in Alberta,so the one he found on amazon,if it fits is probably his best option,especially since he wants to sell the truck.

 

[Garth Schindel]

I replaced it yesterday with this kit from amazon.

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0GX66SC8B?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

It fit well and installed easy enough. Parts seemed to be of good quality - hard to tell for certain though. I needed to reuse the main frame bolts as the kit's had the wrong threads. I'd do it again even if I was going to keep it.

How important is it to have the right torque on the top connector rods? I didn't have space to use my torque wrench - I went for snug plus a bit. Guess I should have torqued them before putting it on.

 

[Jeepwalker]

That's pretty reasonably priced ..if the quality is even 'ok'. Is it the same diameter?

 

[04fxdwgi]

I replaced it yesterday with this kit from amazon.

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0GX66SC8B?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

It fit well and installed easy enough. Parts seemed to be of good quality - hard to tell for certain though. I needed to reuse the main frame bolts as the kit's had the wrong threads. I'd do it again even if I was going to keep it.

How important is it to have the right torque on the top connector rods? I didn't have space to use my torque wrench - I went for snug plus a bit. Guess I should have torqued them before putting it on.

Are you asking what to torque the nuts on the links (connectors) to? I don't think there is a torque spec, especially after going from rubber bushings to polyurethane ones. I've always tightened so the washer contacts the bushing with zero play. Don't squish it, as that'll deform and weaken it.

 

[Garth Schindel]

The looked exactly like the old one - seemed the same weight too.
I won't worry about the torque on the nuts. I don't think I squished anything but I'll check - Sometimes I get a bit exuberant on tightening things that look like they would be bad if they fall off.

I stopped by the mechanics yesterday to tell them to not bother ordering me one - I told them what I did - they just smiled. Weird. I didn't ask why they couldn't have gotten the part from Amazon - an insurance thing for them??

 

[04fxdwgi]

The looked exactly like the old one - seemed the same weight too.
I won't worry about the torque on the nuts. I don't think I squished anything but I'll check - Sometimes I get a bit exuberant on tightening things that look like they would be bad if they fall off.

I stopped by the mechanics yesterday to tell them to not bother ordering me one - I told them what I did - they just smiled. Weird. I didn't ask why they couldn't have gotten the part from Amazon - an insurance thing for them??

LO... They probably thought what most of us sometimes do: "Ha, Amazon junk. Good luck with that". But, it's not all the stuff, all the time.

 

[Garth Schindel]

I'd be willing to bet that lots of the time its the same factory making the same stuff - just different labels. Still gives me a bit of a bad feeling about a mechanic that I used to completely trust. Why couldn't he have given me the option?

 

[aszumilo]

I'd be willing to bet that lots of the time its the same factory making the same stuff - just different labels. Still gives me a bit of a bad feeling about a mechanic that I used to completely trust. Why couldn't he have given me the option?

Many shops will only buy from known sources, like dealerships or auto parts stores. It is due to them knowing what kind of warranty they will get and what process they have to go thru to warranty an item. Going thru Amazon, e-bay. or similar can be a pain to get the warranty claim approved. Some parts don't even list what the warranty is, especially on Amazon, and say to contact the seller for details about it. They don't want the hassle. Plus they know if they have the right part, right then and there. Can't say I blame the shop for not offering the Amazon option.

 

[Wild one]

I'd be willing to bet that lots of the time its the same factory making the same stuff - just different labels. Still gives me a bit of a bad feeling about a mechanic that I used to completely trust. Why couldn't he have given me the option?

There isn't any shop that's going to use Amazon parts to repair a vehicle,they aren't going to spend the time on a computor to hunt up parts on Amazon,and then pray to hell they're any good.That's on you if you want to use Amazon parts.
Bashing the shop because they didn't give you an Amazon option is whacked thinking on your part

 

[Jeepwalker]

There isn't any shop that's going to use Amazon parts to repair a vehicle,they aren't going to spend the time on a computor to hunt up parts on Amazon,and then pray to hell they're any good.That's on you if you want to use Amazon parts.

That's exactly right. Mostly due to the 'time' it takes. Shops can only do so many cars/trucks per day. And they have limited staff. If they did one fewer repair b/c they were hunting through ebay or amazon for a cheaper part... that's going to cost way more in shop time & reduce their revenue by a noticeable percentage.

The easy and most certain path (and I don't blame them) is to have their order-person in the shop call their person at NAPA or the dealer & tell what parts they're looking for (including other cars they're working on at the moment). The parts vendor organizes their end and the parts show up at the repair shop the next day (often the same day if it's in stock). And should there be a problem they do enough volume with their vendor, the vendor will take back or replace the part. Not that easy with Amazon. Anyway, the Mechanic installs the part and out the shop door it goes. Next repair project in the shop.

There are probably some certain instances where independent shops will sometimes use Amazon.

There've been times I bought a hard-to-find part, or an NOS part for my Dad's older car from Ebay or amazon. I've told him to go to the shop he uses, and use me as the 'bad guy', and say, "Hey my boy was going to install this but it's been a long time and he just hasn't gotten it done ...can you (mr shop) install this part?" He knows there won't be a warranty, but that's ok in some instances. But yer average joe-blow won't understand that... so shops generally won't install parts they don't supply, or won't warranty the work. I wouldn't either. Dealing with the general public is tricky. There are a lot of morons out there. Most think you're trying to rip them off.. or something shady or expect lots of free work.

 

[mdc1990zr1]

That's exactly right. Mostly due to the 'time' it takes. Shops can only do so many cars/trucks per day. And they have limited staff. If they did one fewer repair b/c they were hunting through ebay or amazon for a cheaper part... that's going to cost way more in shop time & reduce their revenue by a noticeable percentage.

The easy and most certain path (and I don't blame them) is to have their order-person in the shop call their person at NAPA or the dealer & tell what parts they're looking for (including other cars they're working on at the moment). The parts vendor organizes their end and the parts show up at the repair shop the next day (often the same day if it's in stock). And should there be a problem they do enough volume with their vendor, the vendor will take back or replace the part. Not that easy with Amazon. Anyway, the Mechanic installs the part and out the shop door it goes. Next repair project in the shop.

There are probably some certain instances where independent shops will sometimes use Amazon.

There've been times I bought a hard-to-find part, or an NOS part for my Dad's older car from Ebay or amazon. I've told him to go to the shop he uses, and use me as the 'bad guy', and say, "Hey my boy was going to install this but it's been a long time and he just hasn't gotten it done ...can you (mr shop) install this part?" He knows there won't be a warranty, but that's ok in some instances. But yer average joe-blow won't understand that... so shops generally won't install parts they don't supply, or won't warranty the work. I wouldn't either. Dealing with the general public is tricky. There are a lot of morons out there. Most think you're trying to rip them off.. or something shady or expect lots of free work.

I have a garage door business. When I need something that isn’t on the truck, I place an order with my well established vendors and suppliers. Orders are filled and shipped within reason or picked up as needed. The nature of the business is that some things must be picked up because at size or weight where shipping is cost prohibitive. The problem with customers is that once you leave, they expect you to finish this job as if you are their only customer. They expect you to pick whatever you need up as soon as you leave and “what time will you be back today?”. You instantly became their concierge.

 

[04fxdwgi]

Won't even get into some of the garbage that O'Rileys and Autozone are selling now for prices much more than the stealership. But at least the warranty is well stated and honored.

 

[Grams]

I'd be willing to bet that lots of the time its the same factory making the same stuff - just different labels. Still gives me a bit of a bad feeling about a mechanic that I used to completely trust. Why couldn't he have given me the option?

I’ll tell you why: Because he is a professional at a commercial repair-shop that has Liabilities if they fail to supply “traceable” parts.

While Amazon can be a source for quality parts…they also can supply counterfeit parts….and that means trouble for a professional repair-shop if someone is later injured or killed in your vehicle.

That’s why.

(not because they were trying to gouge you.)

 

[Grams]

I have a garage door business. When I need something that isn’t on the truck, I place an order with my well established vendors and suppliers. Orders are filled and shipped within reason or picked up as needed. The nature of the business is that some things must be picked up because at size or weight where shipping is cost prohibitive. The problem with customers is that once you leave, they expect you to finish this job as if you are their only customer. They export to pick whatever you need up as soon as you leave and “what time will you be back today?”. You instantly became their concierge.

Sounds like you have a communication-problem.

 

[EdGs]

There isn't any shop that's going to use Amazon parts to repair a vehicle,they aren't going to spend the time on a computor to hunt up parts on Amazon,and then pray to hell they're any good.That's on you if you want to use Amazon parts.
Bashing the shop because they didn't give you an Amazon option is whacked thinking on your part

While Amazon can be a source for quality parts…they also can supply counterfeit parts….and that means trouble for a professional repair-shop if someone is later injured or killed in your vehicle.

Rook same, you buy!