Front Sway Bar Bushings: Which Ones?

[sfbayjay]

Finally getting around to some Explorer projects in the next few days, including replacing creaky/squeaky front sway bar bushings.

Advance Auto website lists several "exact fit" bushing for my 2002 XLT. I'd like to install Moog parts, but I'm open to options.

Here are the Moog listings:
Moog K80081 (for 32mm sway bar)
Moog K80080 (for 30mm sway bar)

Sooo -- I went and measured my front sway bar with a pair of calipers and it comes in at 30.86 mm. Right between the two Moog parts, wouldn't you know.

Which one should I order? Better to go smaller or larger, or maybe it doesn't matter!?

Thanks for any advice...

 

[sfbayjay]

Whoops! Answered my own question (I think) with a quick trip to RockAuto.com.

Their site indicates the following:

Moog K80081 is for 31 mm or 32 mm bar
Moog K80080 is for 29 mm or 30 mm bar

So I'll go with the K80081, since mine measures very close to 31...

Sorry for starting a lame thread!

 

[sfbayjay]

OK wait -- here's a legit question to salvage the thread!

When installing the new bushings, do I grease the surface that contacts the sway bar? If so, with what type of grease (white lithium, silicon, etc)?

 

[joecrna]

I used Ford bushings, not a bad price, that came with a small packet of grease. It looked like white lithium. It goes on the anti roll bar side only. None on the braket side.

 

[sfbayjay]

Great! Thanks for the info.

I have some white lithium laying around somewhere...

 

[swshawaii]

ES greasable polyurethane vs. Moog non-greasable rubber.

www.energysuspensionparts.com/proddetail.asp?prod=9.5165

 

[Black Dynomite]

Nice link swshawaii.
To anybody that has gone poly on their third gen, can you post up the product numbers you used and your sway bar sizes...please?

e.g
Front 31mm - Energy Suspension - SKUXXX
Rear 25mm - Prothane - x..

 

[swshawaii]

Most accurate way is to physically measure the outer diameter.
If you don't have a caliper, use a large adjustable crescent wrench.

http://www.energysuspension.com/universal-products/sway-bar-bushings.html

 

[Truth Explorer1]

Do NOT buy

I bought the energy suspension sway bar bushing kit. had it on the truck less than 30 days, took it off road one time and they both bent! Took them back to advance auto, and got my cash back! They are cheap POS! :thumbdwn: Went with MOOG, they are just fine.

 

[alex212]

anyone have the moog PN

for the rears. I believe they should be 21mm....Thanks