New Sway Bar links on 2009 Camry

[WilliamM2]

Anyone have any experience with Camry rearsway bar links. Mine started to queak about 200 miles ago, and seem to ge worse each time I drive it.
According to what I have been reading, all aftermarket parts are junk now. which can't be true.

I've been looking at these:

Amazon.com: CTR CL0086 [OE Supplier] Rear Stabilizer Bar Link Compatible with LEXUS, TOYOTA Vehicles - Replaces 9021967, 48830-06060, 48830-06070, 48830-33040, K750011 : Automotive

Buy CTR CL0086 [OE Supplier] Rear Stabilizer Bar Link Compatible with LEXUS, TOYOTA Vehicles - Replaces 9021967, 48830-06060, 48830-06070, 48830-33040, K750011: Link Kits - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

I like that they have a wrench flat on the backside, instead of the Allen key used by most manufactures. Mine's rusty enough I'll probably have to use vice grips, or a nut splitter on all the connections, or cut em.

Anyone have experience with these, or other brands? OEM is $260 a pair, and they only lasted 83,000 miles. I'd like to get about 5 more years out of this car, about 2K miles a year. Heck, I just put in a new radiator 2.5K ago. Only the second repair it's needed.

I need new tires, but don't want a broken link stabbing a hole in them. I got quote a shop for $385, and they admitted they will use whatever is cheapest at the local auto parts store. Quoted $200 in parts!

 

[Paperdoc]

I'd start NOW by going underneath with a small wire brush to scrub old dirt and rust off the old nuts. Soak with penetrating oil. MAYBE re-soak in a week. That may let you unbolt with a normal socket wrench. Sometimes as a precaution for really stiff nuts I get a SIX-point socket which gets a much better grip and is less likely to round off the nut corners.

Another trick if the old nuts are so rusted they are undersize and the socket is too loose.Check for this now as you scrub clean to prepare which socket. If the nut is undersize or rounded switch to a socket of the OTHER type (that is, American versus Metric) that is just slightly too small for the actual nut. Position it on the nut and use a hammer to pound it on tight, then use that to turn it. When off, take the jammed socket and nut pair.You'll need some small rod like a drift pin inserted through the square hole of the socket to drive the nut out.

I note the six-sided wrench part of the threaded shaft of each link end. When the link is in place and its nut hand-mounted on the shaft end, the intent is that you need a THIN open-end wrench to fit on that part and hold it stationary while you tighten the nut. Maybe a small crescent or even some pliers. You will not need a of of torque to hold it stationary.

 

[WilliamM2]

I put penetrating oil on them a couple weeks ago. The bottom nuts on each link are basically round from corrosion. I doubt they will come off with a wrench, but that will be the first attempt. The allen key holes are round.

I was mostly interested in finding a GOOD brand of replacements, which is why I asked about CTR links. And if they do fail, should be easy to remove later.

Thanks.

 

[deadlyapp]

Personal view - I wouldn't buy any automotive parts from Amazon. They can make whatever claim they want but have no respectable warranty or burden of proof. Usually you can find a dealership that offers heavy discount on the OEM parts so you don't pay list. Otherwise, going to a standard auto parts store they'll usually have parts made by the OEM but not branded according to the car company.

No idea what year or trim your camry is, but I found a link assembly for 74.15 from mike calvert toyota.

 

[WilliamM2]

I'm aware, but I bought them direct from the CTR store, so I'm not worried about counterfeits. Cheapest online dealer price was $103 Each, plus shipping. And they only made it 83,000 miles. My wife had a 2009 too, she replaced them twice, and they needed another set when she sold the car with 160K. So much for OEM quality on these pars

The car is a 2009. I'm not paying for OEM. Even on my wife's 2020 Honda, the same OEM part is only $90 a pair.

If they are junk I'll send them back, and get something at RockAuto.