Is it normal to have about an inch and a half of space between the sway bar link and the hole where it goes in on the lower control arm?

http://s1275.photobucket.com/user/si...iuaif.jpg.html

Whats the piece call that connects to the link, not the control arm?

http://s1275.photobucket.com/user/si...tlfki.jpg.html

 

Is that where your link goes? Correct me if I'm wrong but the lower control arm has its own holes where it goes, and that's on the cradle (frame), and spindle. Sway bar link goes on the sway bar itself and strut? At least that's how the 6th gen has it, I don't think they're much different. As far as the space, if both front tires are up in the air, you should be able to install/remove the sway bar link with no problem.

 

Jack up/support the LCA and it should go right in after. Needs a little maneuvering.

 

Yea I figured that but I wasn't sure it the space was to much because I jumped a curb and replaced a few things. I can't see any bends on the piece where the link connects to. The top piece not the control arm. So im safe jacking the control arm up about two inches for it to line up?

 

Are both front wheels off the ground? If so, then you still have issues with something- maybe the sway bar is bent, I dunno. If if there's that much misalignment, something is still bent. You don't want that much preload on the swaybar since there's always stress on the thing.

If the other side of the car is still on the ground, jack up that side too so there is no load on either side of the suspension. Remember that the sway bar's job is to connect left and right sides of the car and attempt to counteract body lean...

 

Yea the car is jacked up. I was able to jack the control arm up enough to line it up. I dont see anything bent. I replaced the control arm, axle, steering knuckle and the tie rod. The only thing that could be bent is the piece the screws on the sway bar link opposite side of control arm. Dont know what its called.

Now im having problems screwing the nuts on the link. They don't look like normal nuts they have a notch on the top. Is this normal?

 

Yes, that is a self locking nut so it will not loosen up. It will be somewhat tight to turn and you need to have a wrench on the lower part of the shaft so that the shaft won't spin on you.

 

Look at the sway bar itself. it looks to me in the photos you posted that there's a bend right about where the D bushing is on the subframe. Is that bend supposed to be there? (Compare it to the other side).

As I said above, if the sway bar is THAT far off its mark, then something isn't right. Keep looking and don't just bolt it together and hope for the best.