Replaced first stabilizer link today (rear left)

[My98RT10]

I finally tackled this, had the Moog replacements sitting on the shelf for a while... did it in my garage w/o a lift. Apart from getting the lower stud out of the control arm (it is essential to punch it out in an angle perfectly aligned with the stud itself) it was pretty straight forward.

Now, I have to tackle the other side. My front links are actually looking good, don't know why the rears look so bad....

I am thinking to overhaul the OEM's by just replacing the dust boots. I believe the joints are still ok. Any idea where to get the right boots for these? Thanks!



Old one removed:



New one installed:

[dave6666]

Good work. But for others wanting to tackle this, an air hammer with a blank punch and they come out instantly.

[Tom, F&L GoR]

I did mine this weekend also, and will resurrect mine with these
Energy Suspension 9.13103G

Look around as they come in two packs and 4 packs

[My98RT10]

I did mine this weekend also, and will resurrect mine with these
Energy Suspension 9.13103G

Look around as they come in two packs and 4 packs

Thanks for the hint, Tom! Will check these out...

[blownrunner]

Why is the moog brand so popular? On the 4runner forums there are lots of people having problems with moog ball joints from the ball joint breaking apart to the boots tearing in a year. I put the moog tie rods on my frontier truck and the boots are already split wide open. Is the oem stuff any good?

[Viper Pit]

Snake Oyle has the replacement boots if your units are ok.

[My98RT10]

Why is the moog brand so popular? On the 4runner forums there are lots of people having problems with moog ball joints from the ball joint breaking apart to the boots tearing in a year. I put the moog tie rods on my frontier truck and the boots are already split wide open. Is the oem stuff any good?

I don't know if they're popular but for sure their price makes them very attractive compared to OEM. Will they last? We'll see, I will check them regularly and report back. But with the few miles I drive I doubt something will happen soon....

[My98RT10]

Snake Oyle has the replacement boots if your units are ok.

Thanks for the note. However, I think Viper tax comes into play here...

[My98RT10]

Started to overhaul the first of my OEM stabilizer links. Found the boots on Ebay for 7,- € / pair. Replaced the first one (upper one). Seems to fit quite well.

[My98RT10]

Update: I recently checked my car after winter hibernation and noticed that the boot on one of the rear Moog links already teared apart completely around the wire that fixes the boot to the link (the larger diameter, not around the threaded stud). Forgot to make a photo....

I am really disappointed after "only" 5 years and not so many miles.... anyone else facing the same problem?

[BLRDViper]

About 5 years ago I did the same swap with MOOG for the torn OEM links.
I normally check out the underside of the Viper before I take it off the lift and have not noticed any problems. When I get back home in a couple of weeks I will take a closer look and let you know.
BLRD

[98RedGTS]

So, would you recommend putting the Energy Suspension boots on the moog joints? I have replacement joints already but haven't installed them. If changing the boot will make them last longer that's easy enough to do.

[ellowviper]

Personally, it just seem cosmetic to me. Sure its nice to have fresh boots and so forth, but the joints themselves aren't under much stress (unlike ball joints per se) and I'm thinking they will function correctly regardless of the condition of the boot. Just my perspective.

[dave6666]

Personally, it just seem cosmetic to me. Sure its nice to have fresh boots and so forth, but the joints themselves aren't under much stress (unlike ball joints per se) and I'm thinking they will function correctly regardless of the condition of the boot. Just my perspective.

I agree with that. I recently put new ones in because my boots look like hammered ass, that bothered me, and for $100 and 5 minutes a corner I was able to fix that.

[ellowviper]

Well hammered ass makes a difference. I couldn't live with that either. New boots are understandable on otherwise perfectly fine end links.