How to replace sway bar bushing?

[Binder307]

I have a 78 chevy K20 and I am trying to replace the front sway bar bushings. I took the bar off and had to burn the old bushings out that connect to the leaf spring brackets. I bought some Moog bushings from O'Reilly and went to put them in but they seem way to big. I have searched trying to find any help on the internet but can't seem to find a solution any where. I know I can't be the only one who has done this/tried this. I don't know if maybe they sold me the wrong size or whats going on here. I tried putting it in my vice and pressing it in but it wouldn't even budge a little. So has any one done this before and can your offer some advice?

Thanks

[bake74]

     What size sway bar do you have ?  They came in 2 different sizes, 1.25" & 1.5" If memory serves me right.

[Engineer]

Nope, no mistake, I'm sure they are the right size if you bought the rubber replacements. Those have to be pressed in. To be done correctly without tearing the new bushing they need to be pressed through a die.

I avoided that headache when I did mine. I used the polyurethane bushings from Energy Suspension.

[frotosride]

I used the poly ones as well but here is a simple trick.get some rubbing alcohol and use that as a lubricant. the alcohol flashes off and causes the rubber to cool really quick and will actually shrink it but it will still have to be pressed in with something. The rubber ones are the right size but if you want to do it easy and get better performance out of the sway bar spend a few more bucks and get the polly ones.They will slide right in. My old rubber ones came out easy on the sway bar but the leaf springs I burned and used my air chisel.

[Binder307]

sweet thanks for all the info. I am just going to get the ones from energy. I like the sound of better quality and easier to install.

[79brent]

yeah, you'll be happy with the better performance from the poly bushings. I was surprised at the difference when I did mine. Good luck.

[mechanic58]

I'm discovering that I am having this same problem. I have a '76 K20 that had non-existent bushings in the ends of the sway bar. I bought some replacement bushings - they are one-piece. They are poly with a metal sleeve in them that appears to be molded in. The OD of the bushing is bigger than the ID of the hole in the bar. Not a 1/4" bigger, but enough to make it 'impossible' to install them. Is there some kind of tool used for this? Does freezing them make it easier? Does anyone make a three-piece bushing that's easier to install?

[frotosride]

Freezing them can help and the alcohol makes them shrink as well. I usually use a c-clamp to help squeeze it in. If you absolutely cannot get it in then you can rent a ball joint tool from any parts store and press then in with that. Just liube them up well