2004 SS
152,XXX miles

I think I've got two separate issues here. Yesterday while driving home I heard the very distinct sound of worn out brake pads rubbing on the rotor. So I drive the wife's car today, get pads on the way home, then jack up the Monte when I get home. Every rotor and pad looked fine, plenty of wear left. That's odd I say. Then I get to the final tire, the driver's front, and I notice I have to jack the car uncharacteristically high. When I get the wheel off, the rotor and pads look fine, but I notice what's in the picture, that my sway bar is not connected to the end link anymore.

So, three questions;
1) Is it safe to drive like this? I suspect this happened a while and I just haven't noticed it. I don't know that for certain, but I didn't hear any "popping" noise when I jacked the car, and the wear on the visible surfaces didn't look fresh. Hard turning would seem to be an obvious no-no.
2) I can get around to it this weekend. It doesn't look that hard, do you guys agree? Should I do both end links? Should I go ahead and do the bushings too? Any tricks of the trade I need to know? Any product recommendations?
3) Is there any chance this was the source of my grinding "brake" pads?

 

It is fine to drive around with that (just be mindful that the steering may not feel the same). I know a guy who drove a rear with a broken sway bar (I don't recommend it) on a Grand Prix (it handled very badly IMO).

That should not have caused any issues with the brakes unless you had a very odd act of God. Totally separate issues.

When you change it, I would recommend doing both sides, so everything is new.

 

Thanks Maniac.

Do you guys know what size our Monte's need? I'm looking at the Energy Suspension end links. I think we need the 2.55, can anyone confirm?

Energy Suspension 9.8122 - Universal Sway Bar End Links 98122. Energy Suspension ENE-9.8122G

 

That is it. 9.8122r is the correct part number. I have that kit on my Monte, and zero problems.
'04 Monte Carlo SS - Front Sway Bar Bushings

 

Hey Maniac, how did you know how far to run down the nut on the top of the new end links? Do you eventually get so far down it starts to resist? I went and looked at your pictures on your site, it looks like you have them about an inch?

 

The pics were from a failed idea (before I knew there was a direct bolt in poly kit). If I recall, I pretty much tighten them up until I reached the end of the travel (as the rod is not threaded all the way). I can't recall if it was the Monte or another car, but I recall backing the nut a little because I felt at full tighten it "pancaked" the bushings too much for my liking.