Sway bar bushing replacement

[ejs1097]

I have the infamous knock going over bumps and everything is tight on the front end. Based upon past threads I'm going to replace the sway bar bushings. The explorer is alot different then the van that I recently did the same work on.

I've found lots of topics and info by searching the forums but none that actually mentioned how to change them. I have a few specific questions, even if they seem stupid to some, about the job.

0) Is there a certain order of tasks in order to get the bushings off? (ie: loosen inner barckets to get end links off, etc)
1) I can't find a nut holding the inner bushing bracket, is the bracket tapped to accept the bolt?
How do you replace the end link bushings:
2) Is the bolt on the top extend through the entire link to the nut on the bottom?
3) If so, is there any issue knocking the long bolt back out? It seems it'd be close to hitting the control arm.
4) Do you have to take the whole bar off the frame to remove the link bushings or does the bar just need loosened?

Any other info I may have missed will be appreciated.

Thanks
Eric

 

[wingot]

Im guessing your talking about the front sway bar?

 

[ejs1097]

That would be correct, sorry I left that out.

I know lots you guys already changed these out, can't anyone help another guy out????

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

Eric, it's an easy job. The sway bar brackets are held on with captured nuts, and they simply unbolt (use PB Blaster or another penetrant). The end link bolt has to have a wrench on both ends, to prevent it from spinning, but it comes right out when loosened. You'll need to loosen both ends to push the bar up and out of the way.

Really, there's no tricks to it, or anything out of the ordinary in changing them. Just have the vehicle weight resting on both front wheels and level, so the sway bar is unloaded. If there's not enough room to crawl under the front end, you'll have to use ramps, or place the tires on blocks.

Energy Suspension sells a kit that includes poly bushings, and steel end links to replace those cheesy polycarbonate gizmos. For about 40 bucks, it's well worthwhile......

 

[ejs1097]

Thanks for the info. Sometimes you never know about these things so I wanted to double check. Since end links on the previous job I did was 1 sealed unit the set up was completly different.

I was looking at that kit you speak of, that's the set I'll probably get.

 

[ejs1097]

I got the energy suspension complete front end kit and installed it without major incendent. The spacers on the originals wouldn't come off so I had to saw links off the bar.

I have a question on the link nuts. How tight are these suppose to be? I could just keep tightening them with out much torque being applied since it's just compressing the bushings. I put the lock nuts on so about 3/16 of stud is through the nut. Is this far enough or should they be tightened further?

Huge huge difference now, the old bushings were completly destoryed.

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

Huge huge difference now, the old bushings were completly destoryed.

Yep, they really do make a difference. The Energy Suspension kit is much better than what Ford used.

I put the lock nuts on so about 3/16 of stud is through the nut. Is this far enough or should they be tightened further?

That sounds about right. You can't really put a torque wrench on the end link bushings because they're so compliant. I also tightened mine by 'feel', so that they would be snug but not tight enough to crush or split the bushings. (Just enough to take the slop out of the bar movement, and to compress the bushings very slightly).

Good job.