Rear Sway Bar connection point broken

[303Fusion]

I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this or not, but I'm looking for some help.

I have a broken connection point for the upper sway bar link on the driver's side. This connection point is welded to the frame and I'm wondering if there's an aftermarket bracket or some sort of repair kit. I know some of you will say, "Good, leave it disconnected!" However, I don't like that as an option so I'm looking for a way to repair it. I have included images of both sides for reference.

Any ideas?

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[Commodus]

It will have to be welded on place. If you are running a lift, make sure you have the correct length links

 

[303Fusion]

Ugh, that's not what I wanted to hear... Thanks for the info though. I'll start looking into it.

 

[jeepdan]

Wow, how did that happen?

 

[Renegade]

I’m guessing your links were about an inch or so too short. I did the same thing. Take it to a local shop and have them fab something up and put a nut on the back. It should be pretty easy.
PS- Metalcloak 12.25” links are well worth the $65.

 

[bigcheeshead]

Just ran into the same exact issue. Can you let me know how you got it fixed Troy and what was the cost?

 

[kevman65]

Dealer, warranty, you're not the first and won't be the last. It is a poor bracket and is weak.

 

[rharr]

Just ran into the same exact issue. Can you let me know how you got it fixed Troy and what was the cost?

find a local 4x4 shop that can weld. I would suggest having them cut a 3/16 steel plate with a hole in it and weld that over the damaged bracket. Figure 100/hr rate and 4 hours time to fab, bang straight and weld plus 100 bucks in material. have them do both brackets.

 

[Renegade]

find a local 4x4 shop that can weld. I would suggest having them cut a 3/16 steel plate with a hole in it and weld that over the damaged bracket. Figure 100/hr rate and 4 hours time to fab, bang straight and weld plus 100 bucks in material. have them do both brackets.

It’s a 1-hour job at the most, using some scrap plate or bar. I made some bolt-on braces for mine, and I have minimal fabrication skills.

 

[Free2roam]

I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this or not, but I'm looking for some help.

I have a broken connection point for the upper sway bar link on the driver's side. This connection point is welded to the frame and I'm wondering if there's an aftermarket bracket or some sort of repair kit. I know some of you will say, "Good, leave it disconnected!" However, I don't like that as an option so I'm looking for a way to repair it. I have included images of both sides for reference.

Any ideas?

Weak ass looking pop nut. Fabricator by trade. Personally I'd either cut out a square part of where the nut is. Just to about where the radius of factory bend starts. Grind out a v-notch as much as you can. Cut new plate to fit in place. With new hole threaded and nut welded to back side. (Thread hole, put bolt in then thread nut down to plate. Tack weld on.) Then install plate and weld in.
Option two.
Take out old nut. Use same process on plate and weld to face of existing plate.
In both instances put nut on back side.
Just my opinion. That's how I would fix if mine broke.
Material not even 50$
Black nuts not galvanized 3$ max
Total cost for shop my guess depending on where you are located.
200$ and that's on the high end.

 

[rharr]

It’s a 1-hour job at the most, using some scrap plate or bar. I made some bolt-on braces for mine, and I have minimal fabrication skills.

I would agree, but seeing what everyone quotes around here for lots of other simple stuff, I figured I would shot high to meet the mark, if the PO is in some fancy town where there are few people who know how to work with their hands then expect a high price compared to a blue collar town where all you have is your hands to earn a living.

1hr is a little ambitions for 2 brackets, it will take 1 hour just to prep and clean the damage.

 

[Casique]

What caused this, is the JT modified with a lift or something else? Or just OEM?

 

[Renegade]

What casued this, is the JT modified with a lift or something else? Or just OEM?

It happens when longer shocks are installed, without the corresponding proper length sway bar links.

 

[Aonarch]

Dealer, warranty, you're not the first and won't be the last. It is a poor bracket and is weak.

If you have stock suspension this is the answer.

 

[mx5red]

I just installed a used AEV 2” spacer lift yesterday, thought everything was looking good.. I just looked around and my rear passenger sway bar bolt is gone! I think it stripped during install (wasn’t to torque spec yet ) but was just gonna leave it as it seemed fine.
The captive nut is still there..

of note, when I got the lift kit I noticed that one of the captive nuts (from previous user’s truck) was still stuck on one of the links and I had to remove with some vice grips. I’m not sure what happened to his truck but I’m guessing the bracket failed. Seems to be a weak link.

so, any recommendations? Try to screw in another bolt? Drill out the old nut and put in a new bolt?

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