HELP! Anti-roll bar prob!

[dezufo]

Anti-roll bar prob! SORTED!!

Was under the front yesterday and found a broken mounting bracket and the other bracket was very rusty, these are the brackets that go round the D bush and bolt into the chassis.
Searched on net and contacted a UK ford parts supplier who said they are no longer available. Even USA sites only showed replacement bushes.
Any one have some decentish 2nd hand brackets or know where I might possibly get hold of some new ones, reluctant to try UK breakers as they could be just as corroded.

 

[Stenasev]

Hi,

Did you actually get someone to check the part numbers and availability or was it just a website/email enquiry?
Ford dealers are mostly clueless about the Explorer, even more so now it's getting to 15 years old.

I had to replace a couple of rusted out spring plates today and when I rang Ford they said they 'probably' won't be able to still get them. I gave him the part numbers so he wouldn't have to do any work and he went to check and low and behold they were available...

If you want part numbers for the brackets then let me know. Apologies if you have already done all this..

SS

 

[dezufo]

Hi,

Did you actually get someone to check the part numbers and availability or was it just a website/email enquiry?
Ford dealers are mostly clueless about the Explorer, even more so now it's getting to 15 years old.

I had to replace a couple of rusted out spring plates today and when I rang Ford they said they 'probably' won't be able to still get them. I gave him the part numbers so he wouldn't have to do any work and he went to check and low and behold they were available...

If you want part numbers for the brackets then let me know. Apologies if you have already done all this..

SS

Hi, I phoned a ford parts place with my reg no he said not available also a neighbour, a mechanic, tried to get he also said they no longer available although the bushes are.

Yes please the part numbers would be realy helpful, the only number I could get off the net was from a suspension lay out for a USA 2WD, the number being 5486. Not sure if this is correct though.

 

[swshawaii]

Would the greasable "A" type brackets work?
Measure diameter using a crescent wrench.

http://energysuspension.com/products/Sway-Bar-End-Link-Bushings.html

 

[Stenasev]

Yes please the part numbers would be realy helpful, the only number I could get off the net was from a suspension lay out for a USA 2WD, the number being 5486. Not sure if this is correct though.

OK. Two different types used which changed with the '98 model.

3834157 if early (offset rear number plate)
3002266 if later (centre rear number plate)

SS

 

[dezufo]

cheers guys,
checked the link the max they do is 32mm, mine are 34mm.
thanks for part No. will see if I can get any.

 

[dezufo]

Update; tried with part number, no joy in UK but plenty of usa sites do them, however have located an after market supplier that can do a set of 2 ARB bushes/brackets + 2 drop links(inc nuts,washers etc) for £46.80 inc p&p.

Only prob is they have to order them in. Once I have got hold of them I will post a link either for the set or his UK online shop.

Same company can also get hold of any other bushes for Explorers so if any 1 is interested post here with what you would like to get hold of and I'll pass it on, this is just to give him an idea of what is likely to be needed.

 

[dezufo]

Parts Sorted

Ok, managed to get some universal fit ARB bushes & brackets (with grease nipples) if any one needs some then contact the seller at the link below, same applies to any other bushes you might require.

ATM he is listing uprated front drop links and ARB bushes, without brackets, both reasonably priced. I found him very helpful so recommend you check them out.

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/RacingXS/_i.html?_fsub=2492733010

Just got to get them fitted at weekend, hopefully the old ARB bracket bolts come out and dont shear off!

 

[dezufo]

sorted at last!

Update; last sunday I jacked the front up and lo and behold found the ns drop link bolt had sheared off at the top so I was glad I had decided to buy replacement drop links.
Had to use my cousins impact tool to release the ARB bracket bolts so I could fit the universal bushes/brackets first, didn't want the ARB falling down as I still getting over a broken thumb, next was to angle grind the old drop links off. Fitted new links and torqued up to OE spec then positioned new brackets, they have fixing slots, and torqued them to OE spec. Packed up tools and drove home only to find I had a very bad shake on the steering every time went over a bump so crawled home at 45mph approx 30 miles. Needless to say I was not a happy bunny!
Monday; Had front wheels balanced but shake still there so removed new drop links so I could get to work the rest of week. Shake still there but managable. Found a post in forum that suggested shake was due to air in the power steering system due to me moving the wheels with engine off while jacked up, so tried the fix and it only took 4 turns lock to lock to eliminate the air.
Today; Slackened off bolts on ARB brackets fitted drop links and torqued up to 10ft/lbs, as suggested in a post, the tension on the links positioned the ARB brackets slightly further forward than I had originaly had them but every thing looked in line so torqued the brackets up and gave it a test drive going over all the bumps I could find also took it along a local road called 7 bends, it handled like a dream
whats left of OE brackets

 

[dezufo]

pics of new off side drop links and universal ARB bushes/brackets

 

[janolsson]

good work there. I did my arb bushes recently as i had a little clonking and they didn't look too clever. The clonk remained so i nipped up the droplink a little and now all hunky dory. So i would advise giving it a couple of weeks then nip up the new droplinks a little.

on another note i had similar but worse problems doing the arb bushes on my mr2. The mount area was coroded and someone had just slapped weld all over it and the mounting bolt. So i had to grind the whole lot off and cut out the metal. I got a section from a donor car that needed a bit of adjustment (wrong captive nut size and hole centres) and welded that in

I then got hold of some replacement brackets (used) and cleaned em up and painted and with new bolts and polybushes it all went back together.

took me a couple of days but worth the hassle to save me a couple of hundred quid!

 

[dezufo]

Thanks jan will keep an ear open and adjust if needed. You had alot work repairing the steel eating mouse damage but as you say well worth it.

 

[jvekemans]

Hi,

On my last MOT (in June), for my '98 Explorer, I had 2 advisories which were for the Nearside and Offside Anti-Roll Bar Rubber Bushes, both deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement.

I now get a slight knocking/clonking at low speeds (comes and goes over speedbumps especially) and presume the cause is the bushes?

With that in mind are the bushes in the link http://stores.ebay.co.uk/RacingXS/_i.html?_fsub=2492733010 the correct ones?

Also do you have any tips etc for removal/replacing?

Any help, as always will be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks,

Joseph

 

[p3rryn]

hi Joseph

Front end knocking is more likely being caused by worn ball joints (top or bottom), tie ends or drop links bushes. The worn ARB bushes are probably more an indication of the other front end components coming towards their end of life.

 

[Shooteruk]

hi Joseph

Front end knocking is more likely being caused by worn ball joints (top or bottom), tie ends or drop links bushes. The worn ARB bushes are probably more an indication of the other front end components coming towards their end of life.

I get a groaning noise from mine when the steering is near or on full lock, would that be caused by the same thing?

 

[kevin p]

Hi Guys, i've just completly rebuilt my front suspension.
If you have a groan on turning the steering wheel, it is more than likely the upper ball joints.
Regarding the ARB bushes, mine is an early 97 and has a 36mm ARB. Later models have a 34mm one, so would advise you measure before buying.

 

[dezufo]

Hi Joseph,

Yes the 34mm bushes in the link should be right for your '98 model but it pays to measure yours first, also check your drop links they might have broken in half or sheared the head off the bolt as per one of mine. I got my drop links from the same place.

Prior to replacing the ARB bushes get hold of some penetrating oil spray like wd40 though I found 3in1 creeps better, give the heads of the bolts a good soaking over a period of days also try to get spray into the chassis member there is a convenient hole just above where the bolts are.
You will find an impact wrench will make short work of getting the bolts undone. Loosen both brackets almost all the way then remove one side at a time fit new bush, grease it well, refit bracket. When both sides are done tighten and torque the bolts up to 34ft/lbs.
If you have to replace the drop links as well then do the ARB bushes first but leave the brackets loose, remove old drop links fit the new ones then tighten these first, torque to 10ft/lbs, make sure wheels are on the ground, DONT turn the wheels if its jacked up, then tighten up the ARB brackets. Best way to remove old links is to cut them off.
Good luck!