I thought I would make a new thread for anyone doing this job. Feel free to message me if you have any questions about the job and I’ll get back to ya.



This won’t be a thorough tutorial, I just wanted to cover the important points for anyone who might need it.

I let this go on way too long. Shuddering when braking and constant clunking for like a year. Just know if you’re reading this and you’re worried if either of those are emergency fixes, I can attest you should be alright for a little while.

Jacked both wheels up and put it on stands, took the wheels off and placed them under the car behind the stands. I luckily didn’t have much rust on the rotors or the sway bar links, also I was doing it in 95 degree heat, so for the links all I had to do was soak it with PB blaster, and use a box wrench to position the bolt so I could insert the Allen key in so that it would stop against something as I turned the bolt. Pictured below


it was hard to break the bolt at first, I just ended up crawling around for the best leverage and it broke free without much sweat. Then after it turned I was able to position the bolt to where I needed it so the Allen key would fit and keep it still.

I hammered the Allen key in lightly and it stayed true. Slowly worked the bolt out feeling very carefully for any potential hangups.

I used an impact driver to get the rotor screws out no problem, big rubber mallet right to the head, and it popped off.

I got the cheapest sway bar links and close to the cheapest centric rotor, just to see how long they last. will update if they crap out quick.


everything else went back on pretty well. I forgot to mention I used a breaker bar on a lot of the bolts and that made the time go by much quicker. Anti-seize on all the bolts going back.

The rotors were a little hot and some machine oil or something was steaming after the first short drive testing them out and braking hard.
But I’ve been delivering all day today and they’ve been great. Such a relief having smooth braking and no clunks!

 

Good job!

Your car is absolutely rust free, but for anyone not so lucky, be prepared that the Allen key will probably strip out and/or crack the bolt. If replacing the links, just cut them off with a grinder. I installed the cheapest end link too and it's fine 3 years later so far. It's super cheap and easy to replace so I didn't mind cheapening out just to see what happens too.

BTW, the rotors are coated to prevent rust so wiping them off with some alcohol is the procedure, but nbd.