Stock Sway Bar Bushings

I need to replace the stock bushings for my front sway bar. The two options that I have come across is GM and Energy Suspension 9.5163R (28mm bushings). I would like to use the Energy Suspension bushings because they are cheaper and are a little stiffer than stock, but it doesn't look like it includes the bottom flat piece to take up the empty space in the subframe due to the different bushing shape.

The GM option is a quite a bit more expensive than the energy suspension option. Here is the information that I found incase anyone else can use it. Gmpartsdirect doesn't show any bushings for our sway bars. I did some digging and it looks like GM came out with new bushings and new bracket that will fit our front sway bar. The new gm part number for the bushings is 25699776. It says it only fits 97-99. The new bracket part number is 25699779.

Is there anywhere I can find the bottom flat piece like the one that comes with the Addco package? I would rather buy it premade instead of having to fabricate anything. Thanks for the help.

98riv wrote:

I need to replace the stock bushings for my front sway bar.  The two options that I have come across is GM and Energy Suspension 9.5163R (28mm bushings).  I would like to use the Energy Suspension bushings because they are cheaper and are a little stiffer than stock, but it doesn't look like it includes the bottom flat piece to take up the empty space in the subframe due to the different bushing shape.

The GM option is a quite a bit more expensive than the energy suspension option.  Here is the information that I found incase anyone else can use it.  Gmpartsdirect doesn't show any bushings for our sway bars.  I did some digging and it looks like GM came out with new bushings and new bracket that will fit our front sway bar.  The new gm part number for the bushings is 25699776.  It says it only fits 97-99.  The new bracket part number is 25699779.

Is there anywhere I can find the bottom flat piece like the one that comes with the Addco package?  I would rather buy it premade instead of having to fabricate anything.  Thanks for the help.

you might want to ask a local dealer or 2 to quote you a price on those bushings, you might (or might not) get a pleasant surprise. Same dealer might be able to get the old style links (if you want them) from Vintage Parts, but you have to ask, VP has many SKUs not available to the public and Riv parts would be some of those. I recently (a couple weeks ago) bought a replacement windshield seal and a set of the C pillar-fender seam seals thru a dealer that were sourced from Vintage Parts.

The spacer plates that are used with the Addco kit are pieces of zinc-plated steel, cut to length and drilled. It's going to be difficult to find these pre-made, but Addco, ES, and UMI probably have them if you ask.

Based on dimensions of ES brackets I have in the garage, I'd be happy to make you a pair of spacers for a small fee. They would be made of stainless bar stock, so won't rust. PM me if interested.

FWIW I replaced my front bushings today and I have some suggestions on how to make the job easier.

If you jack up the lower control arms you can actually get a full movement on the ratchet by slipping it between the sway bar and tie rod instead of the typical click-turn-click-turn that everyone else does.

I noticed a SLIGHT decrease in body roll. It was so minimal that I'm not even sure it was worth doing. It's probably one of those things that you should just do when you upgrade your sway bar.

Which bushings did you use? If the brackets are the stamped steel type, check them periodically to see if they bend. Deekster, turtle and myself have had issues with brackets failing under stress.

I got the poly ones like you find at AutoZone. I saw you all had issues with bending so I will keep an eye on them, but you all are using Addco bars and I'm using the FE3 bar.

In case this is new info, Dorman has introduced a front sway bar bracket and bushing kit, model #928513. Rock Auto is out of them already but others are selling them - carid.com for instance. Their part number is 79756109. Appears to fit my 1997 but I didn't check other years.

KenBluder wrote:

In case this is new info, Dorman has introduced a front sway bar bracket and bushing kit, model #928513. Rock Auto is out of them already but others are selling them - carid.com for instance. Their part number is 79756109. Appears to fit my 1997 but I didn't check other years.

That's good info. It does look like it would fit based on how it looks in the picture. I ended up buying Energy Suspension 9.5163G bushings and some 3/16" steel to fabricate a plate for the bushing to sit on.

Does anyone know where to get two replacement bushings for the stock rear sway bar?

98riv wrote:

Does anyone know where to get two replacement bushings for the stock rear sway bar?

Stock bushings part number is 25604734. They are discontinued but maybe you can find some. Not sure if I still have my old ones. I upgraded to the Addco bars. Let me know if you want me to look for them.

LARRY70GS wrote:

98riv wrote:

Does anyone know where to get two replacement bushings for the stock rear sway bar?

Stock bushings part number is 25604734.  They are discontinued but maybe you can find some.  Not sure if I still have my old ones.  I upgraded to the Addco bars.  Let me know if you want me to look for them.

Thanks for the offer. My stock ones aren't too bad, but thought it would be nice to replace them since I had things apart. I'll have to do some searching and see if anyone has any in stock.

98riv wrote:

LARRY70GS wrote:

98riv wrote:

Does anyone know where to get two replacement bushings for the stock rear sway bar?

Stock bushings part number is 25604734.  They are discontinued but maybe you can find some.  Not sure if I still have my old ones.  I upgraded to the Addco bars.  Let me know if you want me to look for them.

Thanks for the offer.  My stock ones aren't too bad, but thought it would be nice to replace them since I had things apart.  I'll have to do some searching and see if anyone has any in stock.

Some energy suspension upgrade ones would be nice.

Mine are modified bushings from OEM Ford (Contour, I think?), made by ADDCO when I bought their bars years ago. If you search, I posted a drawing of camlifter's homemade nylon bushings with dimensions - might help you in selecting a replacement.