getting sway bar link inserted?

[Rolomoto]

I am trying to get a sway bar link inserted on a 2001 Echo but can't see how to do it. In the pics I have the two interior bushings and retainers shown. The problem is I can only get one in at a time because the sway bar is in the way. As you can see there are little notches on the link that the retainers sit against. If I get the bottom bushing in I would have to lift the sway bar up and over the link to get the other bushing to fit but the sway bar only moves a little bit.
Thanks

sway bar link (top retainer is upside down)

top bushing inserted

bottom bushing inserted (not visible)

 

[eljefino]

Is the car jacked up with both wheels of that axle off the ground? The sway bar will fight it if it's just one corner up.

You may have to dismantle both sides, or jack up on the lower control arm a bit on the side you're on.

 

[yonyon]

Exactly as eljefino said. Let the other side of the car sit on it's wheel or jack up the control arm to give yourself more working room. The easier solution being to dismantle both sides. Usually, if those links have rusted enough for one to break then replacing just the one will help the other side also break within a few months anyway.

Other alternatives:
If you can unbolt the swaybar pivot bushing at the side you're working on that should give you all the room you could possibly ask for. Also consider that it's a torsion bar; with a long enough lever you can twist it just like the car does when you corner.

 

[JamesBond]

I had to do some links like that on an Escort.

I ended up just turning the steering wheel to one side and reaching in and bolting them together with the car on the ground.

 

[asand1]

You need to flip this washer, they should always cup the bushings or the bushings split faster.


As stated above, disassemble both sides and life will be much easier.

 

[Rolomoto]

Thanks for all the replies!

 

[Merkava_4]

Yeah the book says you gotta have the car down on its feet before you tighten those end links. Same thing with upper and lower control arms. I imagine ramps would be a necessity in this case.