hypervish

Hey all,

Hope all is well! I'm planning on changing my stabilizer bar links and sway bar bushings soon. After 213k miles, and 15 years they are worn! Especially the rear, grabbing the sway bar itself and trying to move it, reveals quite a bit of play and noise due to worn sway bar bushings. The links themselves are fairly worn as well, especially the rear.

My question...
Have any of you replaced these items? If so, what brand did you use?
And, how difficult is to change the front sway bar bushings? The rear looks easy to change, but there doesn't look like there is much room on the front to work with.

OEM parts are rather expensive, and I can't see myself paying $70 per link. When I can get all four links for under $100.

I'm thinking about getting Deeza Stabilizer Bar Links, and OEM Sway Bar Bushings ($22 per set).

jimsRX300

I replaced my links will all MOOG brand from rockauto. Your front swaybar bushings are available from energy suspension. Hit those bolts with loads of PB Blaster, and I had to heat mine up. The aft most bolts are non impactable because of their close proximity to the subframe.
I bought rear swaybar bushings from Sewell because nobody else sells them. Part# 488180E010 Toyota has used those rear bushings on a variety of vehicles even until today. I broke all 4 bolts back there, replaced with new ones from hardware store. Cleaned up the metal clamps (fresh paint).

Don't forget to grease all moving parts with either chassis grease or my personal favorite nuclear slime Green Grease.

I did the rear first, it's easier. I also did my struts at the same time.

hypervish

Which MOOG links did you buy? The problem solver ($40 each for front) or the cheaper ones ($13 each for front)?

I think I'm going to stick with OEM for the bushings, they are "cheap" enough. But thanks for the info.

Dang, each of the bolts broke! I think I'll be i the same situation. We both are in the rust belt. I'll be sure to start spraying them down with penetrant every day a week before I plan on replacing them.

Did you notice an improvement in handling? I'm mostly doing it to get rid of some clunks.

EDIT: Looks like the $13 links for MOOG, are for European RX300's not USA.

jimsRX300

I did the cheaper ones, the car is 12 years old. I also did cheap sensen struts.

Yes, huge improvement in handling. No banging over bumps, or the feeling of a crosswind while driving on the expressway.

I also replaced the ball joints, tie rod ends and one front control arm. All MOOG or I think the control arm is Raybestos.

Odds are, you are gonna need an alignment when your done anyways. Lots of rust, I need mine to make it 2 more years.

hypervish

I've decided to do just the rear for now. I'll do the front once the weather is warm again.

I went ahead and ordered OEM Sway Bar Bushings ($21.87 for 2), and bought two MOOG K90714 Sway Bar Links ($23.26 each on Amazon).

I've noticed that some people say to apply grease to the sway bar and the bushing itself... Is that necessary for the RX? If so, what grease?

FYI, the part number for rear sway bar bushings on a 1999-2000 AWD RX300 is 48818-20290

salimshah

Be careful in selecting any petroleum or synthetic product for rubber linkages. Check for compatibility.

For ease on installation, only use liquid soap (which you can spray additional water to keep moist)..

Salim

hypervish

Thanks Salim!

As of now, I'm planning on just installing it dry.

I haven't really gotten any suggestions on what type of grease to use, and like you mention I don't want to accidentally use a petroleum based product and have the bushings swell up.

DarthSid

For the urethane bushings I used the provided silicone grease. The grease is applied on the bushings. I'm not sure which grease type is required for the OEM bushings. I recommend you call the Lexus service department and ask to speak to a service technician.