Date:         Tue, 29 Jul 2008 20:02:26 -0400
Reply-To:     Mike S <mikes@FLATSURFACE.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mike S <mikes@FLATSURFACE.COM>
Subject:      Re: Sway bar connection link - where to find one?
Comments: To: Jeannine Goren <gorenj@COMCAST.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <072920082332.9133.488FA87A0000A479000023AD221475640206020A
              9D0109@comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed

At 07:32 PM 7/29/2008, Jeannine Goren wrote...
>I'm wondering if anyone knows where to find a sway bar connection
>link.  We have an '84 Vanagon.  I've called around to a lot of places,
>and searched online.  I found one at the dealership for $170 (gasp!).

I'll assume that the threaded portion broke off. That's common - rust
gets in the joint and freezes things solid, and that breaks off.

You could take it to a local machine shop - they could drill and tap it
and put a piece of threaded rod in to make it workable. It doesn't even
really matter if it's metric or inch, unless you're picky about that
sort of thing. You would need to take all the old pieces in, so they
don't put to large a diameter in.

And check the other side, it's likely to go soon, too. You want to lube
it good with grease to try and keep the water out. Most likely, the nut
will be frozen on - don't force it, or you'll twist off the threaded
piece from that side, too. A nut splitter, hacksaw, or Dremel tool
w/cutoff wheel should let you get the nut off without damaging the
threaded piece. A new nut is then needed, obviously.

Good luck.