Today, while jacking the front of my car up (jacking from the front right side), i hear a pop. I immediately lower my car, noticing that the front right wheel is a little out of line. After further investigation, I notice this part, which looks like a joint.red circled part is the rotted o-pads or whatever they are called)

from the top:

from the bottom:

NOTICE the space between the nut part of the joint and the axle frame. There should be a pad within that space


What is this part, as well as the pads for it and what is it connected to/ what does it do? Also, could the rotted pads on the part, breaking apart under stress be the cause of the popping sound? Is there any damage that can be done to the front suspension due to this?

I really appreciate it guys!

 

Welcome to TGO. Following is a pic of the part in question (the part connects the sway bar to the a-arm):

http://www.spohn.net/shop/1982-1992-...-Sway-Bar.html

It's possible that the sound came from the above. With a quick fix, you should be fine where the end links are concerned. The wheel out of align is a cause for concern, however. Where did you place your jack?

JamesC

 

I jacked from the right A-arm, which from reading around on the boards, seems to be a common spot for jacking the car up.

 

what is the function of the end link other than to connect the sway bar and A-arm? is their any important suspension or steering action it performs?

 

thats a silly question

without it, the sway bar does nothing. That link attaches the bar to the a-arms, so when one arms is forced up or down in a turn, some load is transferred to the other side of the car too, reducing body roll and helping traction.

 

If you placed the jack under the spring, you should be good (hopefully, you didn't put it under the ball joint).

JamesC