Sway bar link replacement - jacking question

GST · Post by **GST** » 13 Jul 2012, 22:09

I need to replace my RF sway bar link and I have a question that may reveal my naivete:

Is there a problem with just using the little jack that's meant for changing spare tires to raise the one side of the car? I have the sense that I need to have the whole front end off the ground to relieve any tension from the sway bar itself. If that's true, can I use the little jack to raise one side at a time to get it up on stands? I don't have a trolley jack and live in an apartment where I can't really store one.

Post by **asc325is** » 13 Jul 2012, 23:39

I would NOT recommend that.

Post by **jmailloux** » 14 Jul 2012, 02:00

I'd have to agree; I wouldn't use the little Volvo scissor jack for much of anything. I have heard a lot of stories of those failing. I won't use mine unless I am at the side of the road. I think your best bet is to either buy or borrow a floor jack and jack up the whole front end at once (I jack under the main frame member that goes across underneath the front of my engine, on a V70R) and put it up on jackstands that way, or just pay a mechanic to do the work and be done with it.
I haven't done my sway bar links or the sway bar, but I think you are probably correct about the need to get the whole front end off the ground to relieve the tension on the sway bar and sway bar links.
Good luck.

Tonyx · Post by **Tonyx** » 14 Jul 2012, 06:33

I've done both fronts and back links. I highly recommend not attempting it unless you have air tools. The ball joint will spin and be stuck just enough too make it near impossible to do by hand.

RaymanSean · Post by **RaymanSean** » 14 Jul 2012, 07:57

Buy a small floor jack and keep in in the back of your car. The scissor jack is for emergencies only. My sway bar lings had a torx pattern in the stud of the ball joint. Using a torx driver and an end wrench I had no problem replacing them using hand tools.

GST · Post by **GST** » 14 Jul 2012, 11:51

Ok, thanks everyone. I think I knew the answer to my main question about the scissor jack, but just wanted to see if anyone would tell me I could get away with it. I won't attempt without a floor jack. @Tonyx, I've seen a sway bar link replaced successfully with hand tools, as per RaymanSean's advice.

Post by **igel513** » 14 Jul 2012, 12:58

I believe you can use the scissors jack to lift the car but you have to put a jackstand while working on the car for safety. I've done it when I painted my calipers red.

RaymanSean · Post by **RaymanSean** » 15 Jul 2012, 21:38

igel513 wrote:you have to put a jackstand while working on the car for safety.

Please do not get under your car unless you have some thing other than the jack to prevent the car from crushing you. Even if you don't plan to be under the car, once you remove the wheel and go to removing parts your head will be under the fender and more than likely your legs will slide under the car. The cost of jack stands, or whatever you use to prevent the car from falling is a lot cheaper than the ambulance ride to the ER, not to mention your hospital or heaven forbid funeral bill. Please don't let me discourage you, as the job is very easy and within the scope of anyone that knows the difference between a left handed and right handed monkey wrench.However, I would hate to read the tragic story of how someone was injured or worse while doing $70 worth of work on their car.

Post by **priapism** » 15 Jul 2012, 22:11

Best way to do sway bars is to put the car on ramps. That way the suspension is compressed and the sway bars aren't pulling against themselves at full droop.