TRD rear sway bar install

Finally got around to installing my rear TRD sway bar in my 14’ Sequoia. 115,479 miles
I thought it would be pretty straightforward, the only big hassle was disconnecting the driveshaft at the rear. Got the end link on the passenger side off. Got the first nut off the second end link but I had to cut of the other end cause it was too rusted. No biggie I bought new ones to replace them with. Go to unbolt the first bushing strap and one of the bolts breaks off in the frame!
Ok, let me get the other side off and I’ll deal with it. Break off another bolt in the frame on the other side!!!!! Are you kidding me!?!?!
Unbolt the driveshaft at the rear and it pulls away from the studs enough to get the sway bar off. I rested the driveshaft on a jack stand.
Go to the first broken bolt, center punch it and carefully begin drilling it out. Took about 5 different sized bits to finally get it opened up. I had an 8mm tap/die that I find out later is the exact size. Carefully tap the hole and start on the next bolt. Same process just slow and meticulous work and it tapped just fine. Mount my new bushings on the new bar, lubed up with lithium grease and start to assemble. Luckily I had 4 stainless 8mm bolts that worked out perfectly. Put on new swaybar end links and tightened everything back up.
Weird thing, I got the endlinks from Rockauto, Ultra-Power brand, they had hearts by them and seemed decent, but only one end link had the Allen hole to hold the threads while you tighten the nut. It all worked out and they both went on fine. I imagine these will get cut off if I ever have to mess with them again. Secured the driveshaft and torqued nuts to 52ft lbs. Lubed my driveshaft while I was under there and called it a day.

 

Congratulations!

Sorry about the hassles.

 

That’s how it always goes…

 

My sway was easy (except dropping the driveshaft on my face)

The rear springs, otoh....

 

I have the TRD rear sway to install on my wife’s sequoia

You can’t take both rear tires off and finagle it up in there? I thought i saw somewhere that’s an install option

I haven’t climbed under there to attempt an install though

 

Driveshaft has to come down.

 

I thought the same thing but I really don’t think so. At first I thought maybe if it was up high on a lift , that would give you more room to pull it down and around. I didn’t even think about it today, the drive shaft isn’t too bad, just four 17mm nuts.
Funny thing is the service manual tells you to take off the tailpipe! Absolutely no reason to do that!

 

Looks good.. Congrats

 

Great job and thanks for a detailed write up of your experience. Did it calm down the rear end wiggle?

 

Thanks! I really haven’t had it out on the highway yet but I did do a quick trip down the road and around a roundabout pretty fast and it felt really nice, very planted!

 

I'm envious. My sway bar is in storage for over a year now along with my UCA, LBJ, and other parts waiting to be installed. I need to pull the trigger and do it soon before it gets too cold to work on it.