EVO sway bar end links

M

MORedJeep

Member
I installed a set of EVO sway bar end links in 2020 when installing a 3” lift and yesterday, while on a family vacation in Michigan, I heard some rubbing so i crawled under the Jeep and both the end links on the rear have come complete apart. It looks as if the bar unscrewed from the end but when trying to fit it back together it just slid in about 1/2”, as if the threads have partially sheered off. So at this point I’m not sure what is going on. Needless to say I don’t have any tools with me and I don’t really want to spend any time while on vacation to try a parking lot repair.
My questions for now, has anyone else experienced anything similar and is it safe driving it this way until I return to St Louis on Monday?
 

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Lack of maintenance is the cause. I would go to harbor freight and get a set of box wrenches and a wire brush. With that and some WD40 you should be able to clean it up and get it back together easy enough. If you had to do all four you could have it done in an hour.

You can drive without a sway bar. Sometimes it isn’t fun with high wind. But instead of driving without a sway bar I would personally fix it. There is nothing broken with anything in your picture.
 
So i crawled under the Jeep to take a look and see if I could get the links back together and it seems that the bottom heim joint on each side is seized up and i can’t turn the hex bar. I will need to spend some more time on it tomorrow. As the last commenter pointed out, it has not been maintained since install. Any additional suggestions on whether these are salvageable and/or next steps would be appreciated.
 
Maybe hitting it with a torch to cause expansion and then throw water on it might help loosen things up. And/or totally saturate with penetrating solvent. Don't catch your Jeep on fire. A rusty mess!
 
MORedJeep said:
So i crawled under the Jeep to take a look and see if I could get the links back together and it seems that the bottom heim joint on each side is seized up and i can’t turn the hex bar. I will need to spend some more time on it tomorrow. As the last commenter pointed out, it has not been maintained since install. Any additional suggestions on whether these are salvageable and/or next steps would be appreciated.
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Soak it in PB blaster overnight.
 
Thanks I will try that when I get back to STL and get them off the Jeep.
bobfriesenhahn said:
Maybe hitting it with a torch to cause expansion and then throw water on it might help loosen things up. And/or totally saturate with penetrating solvent. Don't catch your Jeep on fire. A rusty mess!
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I don’t know if I trust myself with a torch, bad things tend to happen when I play with fire lol.

OverlanderJK said:
Soak it in PB blaster overnight.
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Personally I would order a set of Raptor Series sway bar links off Amazon and replace the EVO links. I’ve got them on the front and rear and very happy.

Amazon.com: RSO Suspension 170107-420201 Sway Bar End Links Adjustable Front or Rear 0-4 inch Lift Kits for 2007-2018 Jeep Wrangler JK/JKU : Automotive

Buy RSO Suspension 170107-420201 Sway Bar End Links Adjustable Front or Rear 0-4 inch Lift Kits for 2007-2018 Jeep Wrangler JK/JKU: Link Kits - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
www.amazon.com
 
bmkrinne said:
Personally I would order a set of Raptor Series sway bar links off Amazon and replace the EVO links. I’ve got them on the front and rear and very happy.

Amazon.com: RSO Suspension 170107-420201 Sway Bar End Links Adjustable Front or Rear 0-4 inch Lift Kits for 2007-2018 Jeep Wrangler JK/JKU : Automotive

Buy RSO Suspension 170107-420201 Sway Bar End Links Adjustable Front or Rear 0-4 inch Lift Kits for 2007-2018 Jeep Wrangler JK/JKU: Link Kits - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
www.amazon.com
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Why? A little tlc and his evo links should be good to go.
 
jesse3638 said:
Why? A little tlc and his evo links should be good to go.
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I took his comment about the threads sliding a 1/2” in to mean the threads have pulled and damaged the female threads. This along with the seized joints would be enough for me to order new parts. The EVO end links are overpriced in my opinion so I offered a cheaper, but solid option.
 
bmkrinne said:
I took his comment about the threads sliding a 1/2” in to mean the threads have pulled and damaged the female threads. This along with the seized joints would be enough for me to order new parts. The EVO end links are overpriced in my opinion so I offered a cheaper, but solid option.
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Lol thats comical really. The ones you posted is a $6 rod end and a piece of all thread for $75.
 
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Thank you all for your suggestions and help, I removed the EVO links and the rods are pretty rusted along with the seized Heim joints I think I’m going to replace them with another brand.
I did contact EVO about new heim joint cost and asked about maintenance and was told they are maintenance free wear items that do need to be replaced from time to time. I bought these in July 2020 so if replacement every 2 years is to be expected I’ll pass. If anyone has suggestions that they have used and likes I would appreciate it.
 
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OverlanderJK said:
Lol thats comical really. The ones you posted is a $6 rod end and a piece of all thread for $75.
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So the $9 rod end EVO supplies is worth the extra $50. Or if you like spending additional money, you could order the $6 rod ends from Synergy for $15 and get a name brand logo on the bag.
 
bmkrinne said:
So the $9 rod end EVO supplies is worth the extra $50. Or if you like spending additional money, you could order the $6 rod ends from Synergy for $15 and get a name brand logo on the bag.
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The rod end evo uses are way nicer than the ones you linked. Also the bar itself is way stiffer. I have twisted links like the ones you posted easily. The evo ones I have never seen bend.

And if the evo rod ends are only $9 why would you suggest he replace the entire link with a $75 link?
 
MORedJeep said:
Thank you all for your suggestions and help, I removed the EVO links and the rods are pretty rusted along with the seized Heim joints I think I’m going to replace them with another brand.
I did contact EVO about new heim joint cost and asked about maintenance and was told they are maintenance free wear items that do need to be replaced from time to time. I bought these in July 2020 so if replacement every 2 years is to be expected I’ll pass. If anyone has suggestions that they have used and likes I would appreciate it.
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The maintenance I suggest is simply checking the torque on them. A wire brush and some WD40 would clean those joints up in a second and they would be like new. If you don’t want to do that you are going to be replacing links every two years regardless.
 
OverlanderJK said:
The rod end evo uses are way nicer than the ones you linked. Also the bar itself is way stiffer. I have twisted links like the ones you posted easily. The evo ones I have never seen bend.

And if the evo rod ends are only $9 why would you suggest he replace the entire link with a $75 link?
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Some people prefer to order a kit instead of sourcing parts individually. I offered a cheaper viable option. I personally don’t like the heim joints and prefer the sealed rod ends, but that’s just me though.

These links have been on my Jeep for about 2.5 years and have had no issues. Trips to Moab, Rocky Mnts, Windrock, etc with no issues. I wouldn’t recommend them unless I was running them successfully.
 
OverlanderJK said:
The maintenance I suggest is simply checking the torque on them. A wire brush and some WD40 would clean those joints up in a second and they would be like new. If you don’t want to do that you are going to be replacing links every two years regardless.
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Thanks, checking the torque on the jamb nut is definitely something i should have been doing.
I will take a closer look at the links but along with the joints being seized the ends of the rods looked to be rusted inside and out.
 
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