Rusted through rear sway bar link

[CalgaryRAVdvr]

I took a look under the Rav and was able to see the broken rear sway bar link end. I found it easiest to look from the back of the vehicle.

Nov2012 broken link end 1 (Large).jpg Nov2012 broken link end 2 (Large).jpg

The rod portion of it should be pointed straight down and connected to the sway bar. I have twisted it up so that you can see where it broke. Looks like a doable repair job. Just need to decide where to buy the part from.

[Blogson]

Automakers have made great progress in stopping and retarding vehicle body corrosion, but it's obvious that they need to deal with the problem of safety-related and other components rusting through. It would appear that at least some makers have focused upon what is most visible and ignored what isn't so easily seen.

[Climbitnow]

Originally Posted by CalgaryRAVdvr

I took a look under the Rav and was able to see the broken rear sway bar link end. I found it easiest to look from the back of the vehicle.

Attachment 2455 Attachment 2456

The rod portion of it should be pointed straight down and connected to the sway bar. I have twisted it up so that you can see where it broke. Looks like a doable repair job. Just need to decide where to buy the part from.

I would not immediately conclude that rust was the cause of that break. Notice that the end of the broken piece is severely rusted indicating that the piece was broken for a long time before that picture was taken.

AND, the broken piece looks bent. I'll wager that the sway bar or connector took a big hit.

Tom

[CalgaryRAVdvr]

Agree that it would be hard to tell why it broke. Either way, I am surprised that it did. Is this a common piece that breaks on most vehicles and require regular maintenance? I have about 117km on it and in addition to the break, the rubber piece at the top looks very worn.

Note, the broken piece isn't bent. It is just sitting that way when I took the picture. It moves freely, both in rotation around its axel as well as some side to side movement.

[Blogson]

This situation with a suspension-related component does bring to mind this recall: Toyota recalling 760,000 RAV4's due to crash risk

[dtalk]

Originally Posted by Blogson

This situation with a suspension-related component does bring to mind this recall: Toyota recalling 760,000 RAV4's due to crash risk

Which they still have not figure out yet, even though I told my Toyota dealer how it could be fixed. Well, I guess in a year from now they come to some conclusion.

[BWC]

Originally Posted by dtalk

Man, I lived in Chicago for 20 years before I moved out west and all my cars were undercoated used or new. I am surprised some of you who live in the RUST belt have not had this done. When I just bought my used 08 RAV the first thing I did was undercoat it myself, and I don't live where they used salt. I did it mostly for sound and rust protection. Those pictures are not that bad of rust, the rubber cushions look in good shape.

X2. Before we had 500 km on our new '12 we had it rust proofed (KROWN). Wouldn't drive it in salt without it done. We tend to keep our rigs for 10+ years which would be tough to do as far as rust is concerned if it were not for KROWN. Pay me now or pay me big time later!

Brian

[N97746]

Not only have both of my sway bar end links broken, but just recently while turning into my driveway I heard a loud metallic bang. Parked the car, walked to the end of the drive and picked up a three inch piece of coil spring! No rust to blame on this one. It's the factory end on one side and nice shiny metal on the broken end.
With the current pending recall I wonder whats going to break off next.

[sergr4]

Originally Posted by N97746

Not only have both of my sway bar end links broken, but just recently while turning into my driveway I heard a loud metallic bang. Parked the car, walked to the end of the drive and picked up a three inch piece of coil spring! No rust to blame on this one. It's the factory end on one side and nice shiny metal on the broken end.
With the current pending recall I wonder whats going to break off next.

Hmm. What's your mileage?

[fishexpo101]

Coil spring don't break often, but when they do - they just shatter.

Had mine 1996 Camry coil spring break - 380K on the car, with the original springs. Not bad for that amount of time.

I'm surprised by the number of broken endlinks posted here. Possible that people can indicate the origin of manufacturer? See if there is some common connection - if it is truly an engineering defect or a part manufacturing issue?