Sway Bar Link Install?

[nparente]

So I've been having some trouble installing rear sway bar links on my 91 iX.

The part that connects to the sway bar is just a rubber bushing that has to be slid onto the sway bar, and I cant seem to get it on there. I'm using a lube to try to help, but it's still an absolute pain.

Any tips?

[Mr. Tasty]

use a jack to press it in. that's what I have always done.

[nparente]

use a jack to press it in. that's what I have always done.

That would work, but I hate to push them on horizontally rather than vertically.

[bmwguy325is]

Is this the stock bar? Let me see if I can find a pic to look at.

[nparente]

Is this the stock bar? Let me see if I can find a pic to look at.

Heres a pic of it off of the car:

http://www.nextgentuning.com/admin/images/ar19-099-rear.jpg

and this is the link im trying to put on

http://www.bavauto.com/fland.asp?part=33%2055%201%20126%20932&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=googlebase&utm_source=33%2055%201%20126%20932&gclid=CJL9kKbv8LYCFcJo4Aodm2AAjA

[bmwguy325is]

So it looks like you are tring to fit a OE part with an aftermarket bar?
Are the ends of the bars the same diameter as the holes in the links?

[nparente]

It's an OE Bar, but the same shape as that aftermarket one.

I ended up getting them on a couple hours ago. I had to flip them around so that they were braced against the sway bar, and then squeeze it together with a pair of channel lock pliers. Quite a pain in the ass, but its now on, and good for another 21 years.

[rtwaits]

I dont have channel locks. So I futzed around forever on one side. Tried C-clamp, spring compressor, etc. Used dish soap for lubricant. double checked the part number.

Then I took my 24mm wrench and wedged it between the endlink and the spring. Pried it on a little bit. Then pulled down on the sway bar and wedged my 18 inch breaker bar and put the end all the way up to the sub frame, just inside of the top of the spring. Used it as a lever and it went right on. The left side was on in a few minutes (more difficult with the muffler there).
Hope this helps others with an alternate method

[ArtClassShank]

Dish soap worked for me. I've also heard of putting the endlink in hot water.

[Mr. Tasty]

Dish soap worked for me. I've also heard of putting the endlink in hot water.

No.

Put it in the freezer. It will make the bushing shrink.

[kronus]

hot water will make it more pliable.