Front Sway Bar - Removal and Installation?

[Gordinho80]

Has anyone figured out how to remove the front sway bar that mounts through the frame? Before all of this confusion with my truck, I tried removing mine in its entirety, but was unsuccessful, and therefore, I cut it in order to remove it. I did this because I had been running without the bar attached for over a year. I didn't realize that I would be bringing the truck back to stock... so now here I am without a front sway bar and a stock suspension. Its not terrible, but its not great either.

Would love to throw a bar back in. I would just put mine back and weld it back together... but I scrapped it after I took it out.

Pic of the frame where the bar mounts through...

[bgwolfpack]

Mario,

I know, in one post a while back, James said that there are two different styles for different years regarding removal of the stabilizer link.

Page 3-22 of GMT/04-STNS-1 says that the bar can be removed and replaced. Only saying that the bend of the link must be in the down position while installing.

My guess is this can only be down with the truck on a hoist in the air to get the correct angle for removal and installation.

[bartonmd]

Mario,

I know, in one post a while back, James said that there are two different styles for different years regarding removal of the stabilizer link.

Page 3-22 of GMT/04-STNS-1 says that the link can be removed and replaced. Only saying that the bend of the link must be in the down position while installing.

My guess is this can only be down with the truck on a hoist in the air to get the correct angle for removal and installation.

He's talking about the entire bar, not just the end links.

Mike

[Gordinho80]

After looking into a little more... I'm going to see if an 02-03 swaybar will work. I called local junk yard and they've got one that I'm going to pick up this week.. $60. Hopefully I should be able mount it on my truck, even if I have to drill holes for the bolts. But I think it should be an easy enough install.

[bgwolfpack]

He's talking about the entire bar, not just the end links.

Mike

Mike,

If you look in the book for the '04 you will see this info is for the bar (stabilizer name in the book) not the links. The links are referred to in the next section of the chapter 3 pages 3-23 and 3-24.

[Trail X]

When I tried to remove mine, I think the conclusion was that you'd have to jack the engine up in order to get it out or in in one piece.

[bartonmd]

He's talking about the entire bar, not just the end links.

Mike

Mike,

If you look in the book for the '04 you will see this info is for the bar (stabilizer name in the book) not the links. The links are referred to in the next section of the chapter 3 pages 3-23 and 3-24.

OK, cool. I don't have the '04 manual, and I haven't looked at that page on the '07.

Mike

[v7guy]

The location to mount the brackets for the swaybar from the 02/03 trucks doesn't exist on the 04 up trucks.

The procedure to install/remove the swaybar in the later trucks is to lift the motor.

[Gordinho80]

Well, I will do my best to fabricate the location required... Picking up an 03 Envoy swaybar today.

[Wahugg]

That's what it looks like in case you need a picture for reference.



-Wahugg

[Gordinho80]

Awesome! Thanks! Doesn't look like it would be too difficult to weld some brackets up.

[Wahugg]

I'd just be careful in doing this. It looks as if your sub-frame is missing the column to which the brackets mount. Welding up home made brackets may work, but I'm not sure how much force gets transferred through the sway bar on full flex. Could be an issue. Also it may actually be faster and easier to just take off the motor mount nuts (only two I think) and jack up the engine with a shop jack. That could give you the room needed to re-insert the sway bar.

This looks like it will defiantly be an interesting project for you! Best of luck!

-Wahugg