Disconnected suspension part...

[cngizbleevng]

I was under my wife's explorer the other day and noticed what appeared to be a suspension component that had come loose. It's located in the passenger side up front. The suv drives and handles well. Any input?

 

[corkey]

that is a broken sway bar link, it is easy to replace, and cheap,
it hooks the front control arms together preventing sway and body roll in corners.

 

[thepotroast]

corkey hit it right on the nose.

Just get a new sway bar link, they are also very easy to install!

 

[dogfriend]

The OEM sway bar links are actually made of plastic, so its common for them to be broken. Steel ones are available aftermarket.

 

[cngizbleevng]

So basically that vertical hourglass shaped part just needs to be replaced? I initially thought there was a bolt missing that fastened that to the upper part.

 

[thepotroast]

So basically that vertical hourglass shaped part just needs to be replaced? I initially thought there was a bolt missing that fastened that to the upper part.

It's the complete assembly. The center shaft has a threaded end that sticks out on each end, and then you tighten down the rubber grommet nut onto those ends through the swaybar. Your threaded end on the top sheared off (with the rubber grommet nut), so when you buy a new one it will come with all new stuff.

 

[therealblinky]

just make sure you have a pair of vice grips and some wd40, mine were quite solidly in their, i had to cut one side off, kind of a hassle