goldmax

Can anyone tell me how tight or loose the ball joint portion of the front sway bar end links (shop manual calls them connecting rods) should be? I was changing out the bushing portion of the end links last night and noticed that the ball joint portion rotates very freely. I'm getting some noise from that side and am thinking that it may be the cause of the problem. The shop manual says it should rotate freely in all directions, but this seems a little too free to me. My first guess is that they are worn out. Any thoughts? Any idea what they cost?

PRPmax

I thought sway bars was a after market deal? You sure your talking about the bar that crosses your engine and connects to your suspension set up? if so those have to be TIGHT not loose.

CullenJ76

iTrader: (3)

No The max comes from the factory with a front lower sway bar. The maxima comes with a dog leg style end link set up. I just replaced my end-link bushings with ES bushings about a week ago. Great results for the money btw. Yes, they are supposed to move freely in all directions. Are you sure the noise is coming from there? There are so many noise causing problems that can happen in the front suspension. The most common is the strut bearings. you should check it out by getting out of your car and pushing the top of the tire/wheel in towards the car and if you hear the noise it is most likely your strut bearings.

Mishmosh

iTrader: (3)

I just put in the rear control arm bushing on the driver's side due to suspension noise. The old bushing was shot but that is another matter. Like you, I had disconnected the sway bar bushings and noticed that the end link was WWWWWAY loose... so much so in fact that I doubt it would make the sway bar any good at all and probably was responsible for the popping noise I've been hearing at low speed over small bumps. Sure it moves in all directions, but there was a ton of free play as if the ball had dislocated from the joint.

I went ahead and ordered end links from Jerry Rome Nissan today so hopefully will be able to report how loose compared to stock they are and if my suspension noise has been reduced. The control arm bushing definitely helped with a metallic popping/creaking noise, but I still get smaller popping noises in the general vicinity. The (control arm) ball joint is fine so this VERY loose joint on the end link is very suspect. Best of all JRNissan has 30% off right now! You really don't appreciate how loose the joint is until you disconnect it from the sway bar...

njmaxseltd

iTrader: (19)

The joint should move freely but have no play in it.

nismos14

iTrader: (56)

hmm im interested to find out if that was the cause of ur noise MishMosh keep us posted

2KxSEx

Check this link out
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?threadid=240034

goldmax

Thanks to all for the great feedback.

I'm going to get two new links today. I think they are only $17-18 each at the dealer. Mine seem way too loose an definitely have play in them. It only makes sense that they may be a little worn after 96K miles. Replacing just the end link bushings only fixes half of the problem. Will install them over the weekend and give feedback to the forum.

I'll also check out the strut bearings as described. Thanks all.

Mishmosh

iTrader: (3)

When I went to my dealer a couple of days ago, they quoted me $24 a piece for the end links (part #54618 0E000)!!! Jerry Rome Nissan lists this as being $12 each (before discount). Sometimes pricing from my dealer is WAY off base--I just don't get it! Seems to me they should have one set "list price" that applies for all dealers.

goldmax

One dealer quoted me $24 and another one quoted me $17!!! I went and bought the $17 version today at lunch. From what I can tell the ball joints on the new ones are MUCH stiffer than what I have on the car = the old ones are SHOT! Can't wait to try them out!

Mishmosh

iTrader: (3)

glad to hear it! I'm with you on how loose my old ones are! Definitely can't be right... Good luck with yours. The one problem I see with installation is that on my 95 with 95k miles, the bolts that attach the end link the the control arm are seriously rusted out. I may have to cut them off somehow...

goldmax

The left side was definitely shot. Right side was not bad. Overall a great improvement in handling!