2001 GC sway bar bushings

[mfahey]

I did the passenger side first and while not the easiest thing in the world, got er done. However, the driver's side is another issue. There is a cannister/filter(?) of some sort to the rear of where I need to be in order to get access to the head of the bolt that holds the bushing's bracket.
My question is, what is this cannister/filter and what's the best way to move/remove it? I'm asking now so that I don't regret digging into it, only to realize I should've taken it to the mechanic.

[buzzkill]

The cannister is for the evaporative emmissions system. ya know the EPA..no raw fuel vapors to the atmosphere.

2 ways to go about this -

flat rate it - 15 mm wrench on the nut..15 mm socket, extension and swivel (ball and socket type) for the right angle on the bolt..rip it out, flip the bracket up and remove/install bushing and then fumble the nut back onto the bolt, turn the bolt to start the threads and wait for the arm to burn as ya tighten it up

complete removal - remove hoses, same side as hoses a 13mm nut and bolt hold the cannister onto the bracket..remove it. NOW there are 2 nipples that fit into rubber grommets on the front side. Spray em down with some lubricant ( just a bit) and gently..pry..one side a bit then the other side go back and forth untill she comes loose. Pry straight out while wiggling/pulling on the back end. If one nipple should break, dont worry a bit of epoxy and it will be fine.

[mfahey]

Thanks, buzzkill. All I can say is I pity the line workers who had to assemble this jigsaw since the power steering gear is right in front of the nut and bracket for the sway bar bushing.
I'm not sure what I'll do since I'm a little tired of being on back.

[kabhatti]

Being a common problem, would it be at all possible that someone has and be able to post step by step photos of replacing the front sway bushings?

[mfahey]

I just thought of something else. The Moog replacements are urethane and while I'm sure they'll last the life of the van, the one I did was extremely stiff and difficult to separate(they're split) in order to get it onto the sway bar. Looking at the other side, I'm not sure there is enough working room from the tire side to be able to get the new one spread apart and over the sway bar. I'm thinking of taking the one I already did and sliding it over from the passenger's side.

[buzzkill]

hmmm..removing the left tire may give ya the little extra needed to pull that sucker apart. Moog are great and it will last forever, notice how the old ones kinda got ovel..not with the urethane, but there is no easy way without having a lift..on your back though, I give ya props for that. good luck.

Step by step photos kabhatti? not a bad idea..

[mfahey]

I finally got it done, thanks to buzzkill. Without him telling me that the cannister is retained by two bushings, I think I would have given up trying to get it out of there for fear of breaking something.
I agree that pictures would be good but in their place, I'll list what I had to do.

Tools and supplies: 15mm socket and wrench
2-6" extensions
Permatex or equal teflon grease
anti-seize compound(not absolutely necessary)

Procedure: 1. Place vehicle on jackstands
2. Remove tires
Passenger's side
3. Remove bolt retaining bushing bracket. The
bolt head faces to the rear and must be accessed from the
rear. Using anti-seize on the threads will make things easier.
4. The bushing is split so find the parting line, pry it open and
slide the bushing towards you until it can be removed.
5. Very important-Clean up the sway bar and
area around it. Apply liberal amounts of the teflon lubricant to
the shaft and inside the bushing. For as durable as the
urethane bushings are, they will drive you crazy with their
squeaking unless they are lubricated.
6. Pry open the new bushing(use a wide screwdriver to start it
and then your fingers to get it open the rest of the way).
7. Slip it over the sway bar and slide it into place, flat side
towards the frame.
8. Reinstall the bracket.
Driver's side
9. Remove the evaporative cannister to the rear of the bracket
bolt head by first removing the 13mm bolt at the rear of the
cannister. This bolt retains the cannister to it's bracket.
Unhook the two hoses attached to the rear of the cannister. At
this point, the cannister is held in by two grommets at the
front of the cannister. Insert a screwdriver between the front
of the cannister and the bracket and wiggle it around and when
it is loose, remove the cannister.
10. Directly underneath the retaining nut for the bushing
bracket is a relatively small black box that is retained to its
bracket by 3 small phillips screws. Remove them and push the
box aside.
11. Now you have access to both the bolt head and nut.
12. Repeat steps 3-8.
13. Reinstall the cannister and black box.

Hope this helps. Without a lift, let's just say it was good exercise.