Hello all, long time lurker (years and years), and have enjoyed the forum. Now - I am totally stumped on something and I must post it!

I recently purchased a 2008 SXT Single Cab at a price I couldn't pass up. It has front end issues, so I decided to get underneath and do a good inspection. What I came across had me scratching my head! The sway bar links seem to be ajar and put into a bind. Would this possibly mean a bent sway bar overall? I have never seen sway bar links look this way. The drivers side lower ball joint is bad, as are both wheel bearings (and obviously the sway bar links). Any advice is appreciated.

 

No responses yet so I will take a guess. Yep, doesn’t look right to me, but my experience is with 4 wheel drives. Does look like it’s been worked on in the past due to the difference in lower ball joints. Maybe someone put the wrong lower control arms on ???

 

Might see if you can find a similar year 2wd, and see if it looks the same. The angles appear to be fairly close to each other..... I doubt you got a uniform 'bend' that ain't supposed to be there. Or, maybe the sway bar was replaced at some point in the past, and the wrong one was installed??

 

It kinda looks like your sway bar is not centered. My 2003. EDIT: But based on everything you say is wrong with the front end, that may be it.

 

Any recommendations on specific brands for specific parts? While I have the front end dropped, what bushings, parts, etc, should I go ahead and replace? Shocks and springs as well? Control arms? Control arm bushings?

 

I've used Detroit Axle cheaper on Amazon(a kit). Have no idea of your budget. Upper ball joint is sold in the upper control arm already. Lower is not(that's a bear of a job. Sway bar links/bushing. Might inspect your brakes since you'll be removing for them. Maybe outer tie rods. Not sure about shocks, springs. How many miles? Also price on Rockauto.com.

 

I"ve had good experiences with Moog, Mevotech, and Centric.
Aleekat, I believe you can replace the upper ball joints on the 2wd separately without replacing the control arm.
You mention front end issues, what symptoms are you seeing?

 

jrsick. Your are correct but much easier doing the upper arms.

 

I’ve had good experiences with Moog, and I’ve removed ball joints from before from both upper and lower arms. I’ve never removed control arm bushings though. Id like to go the cheapest yet most quality product out there. I’m wanting to do shocks, wheel bearings, sway bushings, sway links, and all ball joints. Any suggestions on these?

 

I think its a crap shoot on brand. Mevotech will give you a longer warranty. Mostly I buy from RockAuto to save $. Knowing I'll likely have delays for have warranty exchange issues. I put some really cheap sway bar links and they were junk within two years, but so cheap I just tossed them and bought a better set.

I push grease into the bearing areas on the wheel bearings before I install them. I think it helps, haven't had one fail when I do that.