What is this rod?

[Yonzy]

Where my fingers are, this rod came loose and was dangling when I jacked up the car. It goes back on the head but it's really loose. I just don't know if I'd have to hammer it in or not?

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[Hank3]

That would be your front endlink. It's toast; time to replace it...and might as well replace the other side while you're at it if these are the original ones.

https://www.amazon.com (commissions earned)

 

[Yonzy]

Ahh, I see. Am I safe driving to the auto store the way it is?

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[Hank3]

Yeah. You should noticed improved steering response once you get new ones on. Have you been hearing clunking from the front end?

 

[Yonzy]

I stuck it back on and went for a drive. I heard a clunk, I assumed the endlink popped off which it did.
I'm looking to order those Moog ones you had in your post, I doubt autozone would have quality ones?

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[Hank3]

I stuck it back on and went for a drive. I heard a clunk, I assumed the endlink popped off which it did.
I'm looking to order those Moog ones you had in your post, I doubt autozone would have quality ones?

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Yeah...I had the Moog ones in my previous post, but took it off as I wanted to read up more on it before recommending it. Seems like other members have gone with it and have had pretty good results - especially the revised ones. They're available on Amazon and that's probably the best deal if you have Prime...or know someone that does since you can get them pretty quickly. You might want to check your local auto parts as they may have the Moogs in stock? I'll probably go with the Moog ones myself when my current ones go bad.

FYI - torque specs for the endlinks nuts are 32-44 lbs per the service manual.

Some links for reference:

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/show...way-Bar-End-Links-and-Front-Sway-Bar-Bushings

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123821305-Why-moog-endlinks

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123842982-New-Moog-P5-End-Links

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123813916-Sway-bar-end-Link-nuts-removal

 

[Yonzy]

Thank you for all the info, you really went further than you had to in order to help me.
I'm seeing threads about using Ford Escape endlinks, I may give it a try tomorrow after seeing what autozone or car quest carries.

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[Hank3]

From what I gather, the Ford didn't fare so well and people eventually settled with the Moog ones.

 

[nickthaskater]

From what I gather, the Ford didn't fare so well and people eventually settled with the Moog ones.

That has been my finding, too. When time comes to do my end links, I'll be going with the revised Moog units.

 

[mp5la]

The revised moog p5 end links are a huge improvement. The escape ones barely lasted 6 months on my lowered car. The revised moogs are beefier than the escapes and the correct length.

 

[Inside]

The ford escape end links do not work - I had to replace mine. The issue is with the zerk fitting - the fitting doesn't fit in there so you have to either plug the hole or leave it open and that's just not good for the end link.

 

[Yonzy]

I ended up getting the Moogs. After a lot of sweat and cutting bolts in half with a dremel they are on. Except one side was easy to get on and tighten up, the other side is harder because when I jack it up the sway bar and the part it attaches to the strut is way short. I had to put it on with the car on the ground and I can only get the bottom bolt to tighten. How do I get to the top ones if when I jack it up it kinda gets out if it's hole and way too tight to push through and tighten?

Edit: anyone ever try using a jack to compress and throw their endlink on? I'm guessing the only way I can do this is trying my ramps again or squeezing through while the car is on the ground.

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[P-Funk!]

Check to make sure they are the same size!

Are you using jack stands? You should. For your safety and to protect the car from damage if it falls.
That also frees up the jack if needed to get the end link on.
But I don't remember having to do that... [scratches head]

 

[Yonzy]

Check to make sure they are the same size!

Are you using jack stands? You should. For your safety and to protect the car from damage if it falls.
That also frees up the jack if needed to get the end link on.
But I don't remember having to do that... [scratches head]

I don't mean the endlinks I have are too short, they are the exact length of what came off. I guess what I'm saying is that the swaybar is only level and easily put through the holes is if the tires are both on the ground. I just didn't know if there was some way to put the other side on whilst having only the one side jacked up. I could try using a jackstand to have both sides up in the air, I used my tire as a safety only. I used ramps to tighten down the bottom bolt, but the top is a pita.

 

[nickthaskater]

There's a bump under the front bumper where you can jack up the entire front end. You can then place jackstands under both front quarter jack points. Maybe that would help?

 

[Yonzy]

Well I finally got it. Jacked up the side and removed the tire, used my rhino ramp and placed it directly under the rotor then slowly lowered my car back down which compressed everything. It made the endlink bolt reach the hole perfectly and tightened it down. Thank you everyone for the help!

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