Oil Filter too close to Sway Bar? What am I missing here?

[GermanFrank]

Have a 1999 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer V8.
Just picked it up recently and did my first oil change. Noticed that the prev filter I took off had a dent on the end...almost where it had either hit the sway bar or the previous person dented it intentionally so that it wouldn't hit the sway bar.
Seems as if the engineers put the sway bar too damn close to the oil filter or am I missing something?
Anyone else have this issue?
Any feedback is appreciated.

 

[Turdle]

Motor mounts worn ??

Hold vehicle from moving with brake, while in reverse gear watch engine while you try do move truck with gas pedal input, then watch again doing same in forward gear. Apply as much as you can without allowing truck to move.

Might be easier to see from outside , while another person does the "driving".
Stand to side of your explorer when doing this of course.

If motor mounts are loose, you'll need a new transmission mount also.

 

[C420sailor]

Yeah, something is up—assuming it wasn’t intentionally dented

It’s a close-ish fit, but not that close

Edit: which filter? FL-820S? Maybe it’s a larger aftermarket

 

[410Fortune]

Additional notes:

Check condition of sway bar end links and frame mount bushings
Check that the factory size oil filter is installed, Motorcraft 820S is factory
Check transmission mount, make sure it is still there, connected, and the rubber is still good> Loose trans mount could cause excessive engine movement