ok my 87 firebird had no rear end link bushings left. It was just the bolt and washers left on both sides. I installed one side with no problems. I could even lift the end of sway bar up and down to get it all aligned just right. Put in the new link and torqued to 16 ft lbs. On the other side however the sway bar wouldn't budge. I put the new link on anyway and tightened but I don't think it was aligned properly because the bottom bushings started bulging beyond the washers. So, I loosened them back up and left it. Haven't been driving it since because i want to get it right.

My question is what is the correct way to install new links? Should I have removed or at least loosened the sway bar saddle bolts to free up the bar first to align the new links? That makes the most sense to me but just wanted to ask.

ALSO the reason I did them one side at a time is because the sway bar runs right there by the differential and that is where you are supposed to jack these cars up from what I've read to get jack stands in there but, there's no way to use jack stands on the axle tubes either because the sway bar is in the way.

So, if anyone has any tips I'd appreciate them. Thanks

p.s. the front links have no bushings either (both sides). I have the new ones but haven't gotten up there yet.

 

Really easy. Not rocket surgery at all. You cannot replace one side at-a-time. Install the assembly on one side finger-tight before installing the other side.
When both sides are installed finger-tight, you can then torque them down...

 

Ditto to what T.L. said, don't do one side at a time. Instead of supporting by the axle tubes, put your jackstands under the rear frame rails, you'll have plenty of room. Keep the u-bolts on the sway bar a little loose while you line up the end links, helps to make sure it's centered and it'll let you rotate a little to help line everything up.

Also, depending on your end link bushing material, a little bit of squish out beyond the washers is desireable. With rubber, you want to tighten them until you get a little bit of squish there. Poly won't squish quite as much, but same idea

 

Thanks guys I appreciate it