Anti-sway bar link replacement guide w/pics

[koda2000]

STILL the best cheap suspension mod I've ever done. The Moog K7275 end links with soft blue thermoplastic rubber bushings are known for blowing out, or pulling through the cupped washers. Replacing them with the 7/16" I.D. ES poly bushings made them almost bulletproof and they will probably never fail. Can also be tightened without deformation.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2791778&postcount=10

yeah, i've heard about this issue, but it's been about 18 months now and they're still ok. if/when the bushings blow out, i plan to replace them with the ES bushings.

 

[swshawaii]

Seriously koda, even if yours are still intact, this upgrade made a remarkable difference in feel
and tightening up the front end. Do you think that's possible because they can be torqued higher?

http://www.energysuspensionparts.com/proddetail.asp?prod=9.8103

 

[koda2000]

Seriously koda, even if yours are still intact, this upgrade made a remarkable difference in feel
and tightening up the front end. Do you think that's possible because they can be torqued higher?

http://www.energysuspensionparts.com/proddetail.asp?prod=9.8103

maybe i'll pick up a set of the ES donuts and try them on my Exp when the weather warms up a bit. i suppose the more resilient material and the ability to torque them down tighter makes the difference. did you put in ES sway bar bushings too? i'd think that might improve the feel even more. i recently installed Moog grease-gusher upper/lower ball joints on my Exp. i need to do the 2 Mountaineers this spring (get the BFH ready...)

 

[swshawaii]

I replaced the stock front bushings with the ES greaseable type "A" universal brackets and upgraded the rear sway bar with an Addco 633 that came with brackets and poly bushings, then added zerks. Wanted the Explorer Express X-Spec rear bar but EE wanted $120 to ground ship and wasn't negotiable. I've recommended the front end link bushing mod to a few and have been told they installed them without shaving the nipples. Had to be a very tight fit because they are considerably taller than the Moog bushings. Two ES 9.8103G kits needed for both sides, eight total. Moog's "gusher bearing" technology is amazing. Regardless of what some people say about Moog and their country of orgin, they are very robust parts, especially for the price from RockAuto or Amazon. These links may interest you.

http://www.moogproblemsolver.com/suspension/ball-joints/powdered-metal-bearing

http://www.moogproblemsolver.com/_pdf_En/MOOG_PS_Bulletin_27015_Socket_Design_En.pdf

 

[Reaprr]

ok i know this is old but i gotta ask ive been looking for a few and the problem ive got is i replaced the links but my explorer keeps eating(and by eating i mean destroying them) the rubbers ive got the warranty from oriley 2x now im using MasterPro® Chassis - Stabilizer Bar Link Kit Part # K7275 they lasted about a month or 2. Any ideas on what may be causing the issue i thinking of trying replacing the rubber bushings but dont want to waste money on better bushings when i may have another issue

98 ford explorer awd 5.0

 

[swshawaii]

Thermoplastic rubber bushings do not hold up well for load bearing stem type end links, especially when over
tightened. Polyurethane is much stronger and durable. Not sure if your MasterPro bolts are same as the Moog
K7275 7/16" hardware, possibly 3/8". Upgrading to poly bushings should solve your bushing failures, it did mine. GL

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2791778

http://www.energysuspensionparts.com/Energy-Suspension-Universal-Sway-Bar-End-Links.asp

 

[VCOSH28]

Just finished front sway bar end links.

I found this thread after discovering my end links were shot. Was trying to figure out why my front breaks were squeeling...Anyway, it took me two hours to replace them. That included 15 minutes to run to the local parts store as well as cutting the old ones off with a hacksaw. Had absolutely no trouble getting the new ones in. The bolt head and nut were 9/16ths. Torqued to 22ft/lbs. Carquest part #RK7275 . $23 for two.

It looks to have raised up my front end a bit making the rear sag way more noticeable (to me anyways). Looks like rear shackles are in my future. Going to see if my Uncle can fab up something for me.