300M Sway Bar Links

[Steve B.]

My sister's 2000 300M was just diagnosed today with bad sway bar
links.

Three Questions:
#1 How hard are they to replace? I have found several postings
saying that it can be done in ten minutes each but the dealer wants
about $100 labor so something doesn't add up.

#2 What is the consequence of not replacing them at this time. The
noise isn't bad but it does get annoying when you are going slow on
bumpy pavement,

#3 She has the Chrylser extended warranty. Dealer claims these
aren't covered as they are normal wear items. Personally I have never
heard of front end parts being considered normal wear items. She's
going to call Chrysler warranty about it but I was wondering if any
others here have had experience with this.

Thanx
Steve B.

 

[Bill Putney]

My sister's 2000 300M was just diagnosed today with bad sway bar
links.

Three Questions:
#1 How hard are they to replace? I have found several postings
saying that it can be done in ten minutes each but the dealer wants
about $100 labor so something doesn't add up.

1 hour job for a first-time DIY'er, 20 minutes tops total for both sides
for someone in a shop with the proper tools. Remove two nuts per side,
remove end link, put new end link on, install and tighten nuts.
Everything easily accessible, especially with a lift (for DIY'er leave
car on ground turn steering wheel to full right lock to do left side,
full left lock to do right side, or might be slightly easier with wheels
off and both front wheels off the ground at the same time to relieve all
sway bar pressure). The only potential problem is that the nuts might
be a little tight (or rusty) on the studs, and the studs could turn in
the sway bar without lossening the nut - but easily taken care of as
Chrysler extended the studs out and made them hex shape to perfectly
mate with a small wrench (either 5/16" or 8mm - socket, box, or open
end) to hold them still while turning the nut.

#2 What is the consequence of not replacing them at this time. The
noise isn't bad but it does get annoying when you are going slow on
bumpy pavement,

Only consequence is noise - no damage, unless one were to come
completely apart (not very likely).

#3 She has the Chrylser extended warranty. Dealer claims these
aren't covered as they are normal wear items. Personally I have never
heard of front end parts being considered normal wear items. She's
going to call Chrysler warranty about it but I was wondering if any
others here have had experience with this.

I don't know about the warranty.

Bill Putney
(to reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with "x")

 

[Art]

Read the service agreement. Whether it is covered depends on the one she
has. Should be in her glove box.

 

[Mazza]

The link on my '99 300M broke a couple weeks ago. At first I though it was
the brackets on the muffler that broke and was making the rattling noise
which was more apparent when going over dips and bumps. Took it to a
muffler shop last weekend and they found the link to be broken - they welded
it for $9 and its been OK so far.
What kind of damage can happen if a broken link is not repaired?
thanks
Mazza

 

[mic canic]

only max care covers the links