2005 S-Type 3.0....

While removing my rear brake pads today, I noticed that the small ball joints in both of my rear anti-roll bar links were pretty much shot with the rubber boots worn out and some of the grease long gone. I shopped around online and ordered a replacement pair of rear anti-roll bar links from Welsh Enterprises ($22.95 each plus shipping). Each link is held onto the rear suspension assembly by one bolt at its top and one bolt at its bottom....

Any tips for efficiently removing the old links and installing the new links? My concern is that once the old links are removed, the remaining rear suspension components may shift and make it very difficult to install the new links without some type of suspension support to be able to gain the spacing needed to get the new links into place....

 

Do them one link at a time. The usual issue is getting the old ones off because the nuts are rusted on and the ball spins when you try to undo the nut.


Often the techs at Mazda just cut them off with a torch.(On Mazdas of course)

 

You can hold the joint shaft with an 8mm spanner whilst loosening the nut.

If you are concerned about articulation of the suspension, you can place a floor jack under the suspension to move it into position.

 

Tisk tisk Jon for not remembering this one:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/s...80/#post356251

 

Thanks Rick, guess I'm just getting too old (or too frustrated) to remember everything I need to keep in mind to maintain our Jaguars. Sure glad I have good friends like you to poke me when I need some help in shaking up the old brain cells....

I'll bring my new sway bar links with me when we do my final S-Type ZF drain-and-fill in September and we'll knock off this task at the same time while the car is in the air on your jack stands. Should I start squirting something on those four bolts a few days before I make the trip? Sounds like if the bolts don't give us any problem it should be no more than a 15-minute task to change those two sway bar links....

 

You can always use WD40 a day or so beforehand.

 

Why would one use WD for a use that it is not intended for? Now a TRUE penetrating oil like PB Blaster would be far better choice.

 

Far better and smells like a dead kangaroo. Ventilation is essential.

 

I think people use WD40 because they don't realise how much better a proper oil is.