sway bar end links

[oldblue1992]

Hey everyone. Just replaced the sway bar end links on my 02 explorer today up front do you guys know if there are any in the back? Thanks.

 

[miamiheat13]

yes there is. just replaced mine yesterday omg what a difference. my fronts and backs were nonexistent and sounded like a chandleer lol

 

[oldblue1992]

Thanks, looks like my next set of days off I will give it a go. Is the procedure close to the same as the front?

 

[miamiheat13]

exact same super easy. my question is should they be super tight or loose?

 

[Exproblems]

exact same super easy. my question is should they be super tight or loose?

No, on super tight! Do not crush the rubber or synthetic bushings or you will be changing them out again real soon. Just tighten the lock nut until you see the bushings start to "bulge" a little at the sides and that's it! Don't tighten the nut all the way down as far as the threads go or this will cause the bushings to split or crack out at their sides and become useless at that point. The Moog brand that I used came with instructions that show a photo of what the bushing should look like when torqued down correctly. If you tightened down the fronts as far as the nut will go you may want to go back the nut off a turn or two on each of them.

 

[swshawaii]

Moog technical service said that they use the same recommendation for either version (blue thermoplastic, or white polyurethane):
1. Tighten until you can no longer turn the center sleeve by hand.
2. Continue tightening for 2 more full revolutions.

I intend to use this procedure, but I will use a torque wrench to monitor torque. Once I'm into step #2 , it sounds like I don't want to get anywhere near 26 ft-lbs, even if I haven't reached 2 revolutions.

For anyone using aftermarket end links with poly or thermoplastic rubber bushings, the 18-22 ft/lb. factory torque spec listed in the Ford Workshop Manual applies to STOCK end links. The OEM bushings are very hard, and compress very little. Also, measuring torque accurately on any rubber or poly bushing is difficult, if not impossible. As noted above, this is why most aftermarkets such as ES, Moog, and Prothane don't list torque specs and instruct to tighten visually and by feel.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=414822&page=2

 

[oldblue1992]

Thanks guys!