I'm trying to replace the two front sway bar to frame bushings on my 05 Durango, hoping to get rid of the popping noise in front suspension when going over bumps.
I've already removed the bolts securing the bushing clamps/brackets to the frame, however I cannot figure out how to remove the bushings from between the upper and lower bracket.
The upper and lower brackets that hold the bushing in place do not seem to be made to come apart. I thought once the bolts were removed the bushing would just slide out sideways. However the bushing only moves up/down and not sideways, it is in there pretty tight and the brackets dont seem to give enough clearance for them to slide sideways
Not sure if Im missing something, per previous threads on these bushings it appeared to be a simple job but im not sure what im doing wrong.

Appreciate any advice from anyone familiar with these bushings, Thanks

 

They may need to be pressed out,
FF

 

Any specific tool needed?

 

An alignment shop will have the press. You could try to heat the bar up and then burn the bushing out if all else fails,
FF

 

You need to just bend the 4 tabs down, and hell leave them on the bar just slde them to the side. You do not need to press anything out to change the front swaybar bushings. If you look close you can see my old black one jsut slid over a little . A hack say will cut a slot in it then remove.

 

Hello, this is to the OP or anyone really. On my 2007 Durango I've been having a loud squeak in the front end as well as some rattling when I hit both sharp bumps as well as easing over a speedbump. Over speadbumps it's more of an up and down "eee rrrr eee rrr" sound.

Wondered if what you are explaining here with your swaybar is the same issue?

I've been suspecting bushings but not sure yet if it would be swaybar or maybe control arms...

 

After spending half a day on them I returned the bushings and was planing to take it in to a shop. I thought this would be an easy job but it turned into a headache. I was thinking of bending those tabs, however they were pretty solid and did not appear to be made for bending. Mike, what did you use to bend the tabs?

To ramtate, im not experiencing any type of squeking. Just poping from the front end when going over bumps or rough surfaces. Already replaced lower ball joints, truck feels better and not as "loose" but still pops when it wants to.

 

You have to straighten the tabs. I used a screw driver, hammer then channel locks. I wrote an entire article about the swaybar thump and for testing i made a shim out of aluminum and placed it between the rubber bushing and the metal U bracket. When i tighten it up the shim caused the rubber to be a bit tighter and the noise went away. That’s when I knew they where bad.

Do this park on very level ground. Maybe drive the D up on 2 pieces of 2x4 to lift it another 2 inches. Crawl under the D and grab the swaybar like you are going to bench press it and try to shake it. If you feel that 1/8" play that’s the problem. BUT it has to be 100% level or the sway bar will be doing its job and will have a twist to it and the rubbers will feel tight. I think many Durango have been jacket up on 1 side to check out or where on uneven ground only to find that the sway bar bushings are tight. The bar is doing it thing on uneven ground and trying to level the dam frame.

 

Thanks for the tip, ill try that.

 

Did this solve the popping noise?