Poor mans quick disconnect, Xterraownersclub.com
Hope this helps some, could be a bit different, due to the fact that this mod right here is done to a 1st gen xterra. I'll search some more to see if i can come up with some pics and more detail.
From RMXC.
I used Ford shock bushings - Rancho part RS979 (courtesy of MikeH). They came with washers. I have found that the plastic nobs do split if you over tighten them, so its worth getting some spares.
Joey & Ian's "Front Swaybar Quick Disconnect Tutorial" as of 12/08/00
You need to do some shopping first:
1) 3/8" x 5" Grade 8 Bolt - total of 2 - $1.50 ea
2) 3/8" nut with knob - total of 2 - $4 ea
3) Urethane Bushings - total of 8 - $9 for a package of 8 (you can use
either the ones meant for swaybars or shock tower ones (they are a little
smaller)
4) 3/8" washers. Make sure they have some thickness to them. - 10 (8 for use, 2 for spare) - 8 cents each (total of 80 cents)
The only hard to come by part is the nut with knob. Lowes has a rossetta
style plastic knob with nut (Ian's type) and McGuckins has an all metalic
garden faucet style (Joey's type). After much tinkering around, we've found that you have less fear cranking down on the all metal ones but since they are metal, they rust.
Once you have the parts, it's really simple "Out with old, in with the new".
1) Draw a quick diagram (or print the picture on Ian's homepage
http://www.xterrain.com/xmods8.html ) of the existing order of components: nut, washer, bushing, bushing, washer, shaft, washer, bushing, bushing, washer, Bolt. ...so you know how to reassemble it.
2) The most difficult part: get in there with a rachet and take out the existing bolt.
3) reassemble using new components. Make sure you really tighten the knob otherwise it will work loose under normal driving.
Ready to 4x4? Take everything off. This takes about 4 minutes now.[/u]