Sway Bar busted!! Fixed, I think

[heryrg]

Unless the nut had some sort of locking mechanism which would break once tightened, i don't see a reason for replacing it either.

About the half shafts. I going to order the EMPI new shaft. Would you recommend replacing both shafts at the same time?
My other half shaft is not bad but the boot is starting to crackle a bit so most likely need to replace the boot soon.
The half shaft is only $60 so i think i'll get both of them.

[ARCHINSTL]

Get both of them - that way you won't have to worry "down the road" - pun intended...
Also get a couple of the seals "just in case." They are not expensive. Do a Search here for instructions on how to install them and pitfalls of same.
As to the nut - as mentioned, the GSPs come with nuts, so perhaps the EMPIs do as well. There is a stamped "keeper cap" that is installed over the nut as well as the cotter pin. Don't misplace the cap; you will need to buy cotters - I don't believe they will come with the axles.
DO read the various threads on axle replacement.
Tom M.

[Petros]

looks like my post from this morning got lost as well. Sounds like Cardone is blaming their customers for the failures of their crappy remans. I have seen the Cardone remans with bad splines and buggered up threads, has nothing to do with the nuts, they sell junk.

The nuts do not yield (permanent distortion) when they are torqued, so if they are not damaged they certain can be reused.

I have bought wrecking yard axles and used them, but you do not really know if they are bad until you drive on them. so there is some risk, the CV joint can be worn out even if the boots are good, and you do not know how many miles are on the axles. I get the ones that look new and take the chance. They are a much better buy, and lower risk in my experience than buy junk reman axles. New axles will give you the longest life and lowest risk of all, and could be cheaper in the long run should get well over 100k miles off of new axles.

You might get two new axles, and just install the one that is bad now (save the other for later). since each side is independent there is no time savings in doing them at the same time.

[heryrg]

Thanks guys.
Quick sidenote do you or anybody else know where i can buy a new sway bar (besides villagetoyota)? or something AM that will fit?

[Petros]

wrecking yard. They usually hold up well, so used ones are a good bet.

[heryrg]

Is there any places that sell new or AM one that fits?
It's just most front suspension components are now new; would be nice to have a non rusty sway bar.

[dlb]

no idea about aftermarket stuff but probably not considering tercs were never big with racing or drifting crowds, and a new bar will not enhance performance anyway so i wouldn't worry about finding anything new. if you really want it to look nice just scuff it up with some sand paper and spray paint it.

[Petros]

The Tercel already has heavy understeer, putting a heavier front bar on it would make it even worse (perhaps uncontrollable too). Toyota never encouraged the development of the Tercel as a performace car (it was not the image they wanted for it), so there are almost no performance parts for it at all. However, you can get heavier rear sway bars since the rear axle is from a Corrolla, and the front top strut mounts are the same as the same as the MR2, so there are various parts you can get for it to improve performance.

Get gas filled struts and shocks, get a stiffer rear anti-swap bar, 14" alloy wheels with lower profile tires, and you will have much improved the handling.

Some have experimented with heavier springs from other vehicles, I suggest Celica front springs (requires you to swap the "hat") and Patherfinder rear springs (cut one coil off of it if you do not want as much lift). this will stiffen the suspension and reduce the under steer.