need tips on replacing endlinks

[xd21]

ive done a ton of searching on all the forums and cant come up with a tuturial
so i guess its time to post a thread. im having trouble with installing the front stablizer bar endlinks on my 98 tahoe 4 dr 4wd. i got the old ones out and had to cut the last one off with a cut off wheel and now i cant get the new ones in.

methods used:

1. front on jack stands, floor jack under control arm to raise up and down to assist with install. got one in but not the other.

2. front not raised, used floor jack onder one control arm to simulate wheel on curb because i thoght read somewhere this is how they did it. again
can only install one but not the other, and thats with struggling with installing
the first one using the to two methods.

basically i cant get the last one to line up correctly because the upper control arm is obstructing.

the only way i can see this happening is by sliding the bolt up through the holes because then there will be no obstruction but i know read somewhere
during my searches that the bolt is supposed to face down which makes sense because when the suspension compresses the end of the bolt could hit the uppper control arm rather then the low profile of a bolt head.

its a little fustrating because i work on my track car all the time, i basically built it from the ground up but i cant install these damn end links LOL!

any help would be appreciated.

 

[_Dylan_]

I replaced mine on a curb in the parking lot at college. I remember it took me a while to figure it out, but I felt stupid when I was finished cause it took so long.

You can pull the whole bar up and down. Did you try taking it off the jacks and doing it?

 

[xd21]

yea also tried with all for wheels on the ground, my sway bar doesnt move up and down so freely it moves very little actually and then bounces back to the original position imediately. i was debating on unbolting the sway bar but with my luck i would probly snap a bolt or the sway bar straps wont line up with the bolt holes after i install the end links

 

[992dr]

I just put new ones on a week or two ago.
I pulled my Hoe up on ramps and used a large pry bar to pry it down so I could get the nut started. Pretty simple, all in all, both sides took me maybe 15 minutes.

 

[xd21]

did you face the bolt up or down? lol i feel kinda stupid that i cant get these things in. im just gonna let the mechanic do it cuz i have to bring it for a leaking pinion seal anyway.

 

[992dr]

I believe I faced the bolt down, that's the way it was from the factory (I think, hah). Also, it was easier to bolt it up as an assembly while prying it in place.
Dont feel stupid, some are going to be tougher than others, especially being a 4x4.
Good luck, hope it works out for yah