Today’s topic...front suspension!!!!!

[BrewCity’14X]

Good morning Ford nation!!! Hope everything is all good with everyone...it’s cold as hell and still snowing here in Wisconsin but who really cares, that’s winter for ya in Wisconsin!!!

Today’s topic up for discussion and/or suggestions or just facts is....Front suspension!! Mainly putter tie rods and lower control arms/bushings....yea I know, sooooo much fun!

So my lower rear bushing is shot, probably my fault from how I drive, but we won’t go there lol Does anyone make anything aftermarket as far as the bushing itself or the control arms??

And if I’m going that far as to replace the whole arm I’m going to be putting in lowering springs and I might as well replace outer tie rods at that point as well....anyone know of anything aftermarket that will hold up well and be better than anything FoMoCo???

Hope everyone has a great day and as always keep it over 80 and at least on 2wheels!!!

 

[03WIExplorerLtd]

Good morning Ford nation!!! Hope everything is all good with everyone...it’s cold as hell and still snowing here in Wisconsin but who really cares, that’s winter for ya in Wisconsin!!!

Today’s topic up for discussion and/or suggestions or just facts is....Front suspension!! Mainly putter tie rods and lower control arms/bushings....yea I know, sooooo much fun!

So my lower rear bushing is shot, probably my fault from how I drive, but we won’t go there lol Does anyone make anything aftermarket as far as the bushing itself or the control arms??

And if I’m going that far as to replace the whole arm I’m going to be putting in lowering springs and I might as well replace outer tie rods at that point as well....anyone know of anything aftermarket that will hold up well and be better than anything FoMoCo???

Hope everyone has a great day and as always keep it over 80 and at least on 2wheels!!!

Springs and struts aftermarket that exists.
Rear bushing check youtube for a dorman part for explorer or taurus. Not sure if its upper or lower. Not sure if it's as solid as the expensive ford arm. Probably wont last long as its Dorman.

 

[xartic]

I went with the MEVOTECH TXMS40646 outer tie rods as they are greaseable and are thicker built than factory. I recently replaced my front control arms with Mevotech supreme, greaseable as well. Not too long ago I replaced my rear sway bar with the Steeda setup so I went ahead and replaced the front sway bar bushings with some Moog K200520 thermoplastic bushings.

I also replaced all my sway bar end links with Moog that has the zerk fitting on it as well.

Bilstein makes the B6 setup for all 4 corners that has made a substantial difference in ride quality and cornering. I had to wait 3 months for my driver front to come in.

I would just replace the control arms entirely in the rear if I were you. As for aftermarket, you're best bet are the Mevotech's or Moog's.

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[03WIExplorerLtd]

I went with the MEVOTECH TXMS40646 outer tie rods as they are greaseable and are thicker built than factory. I recently replaced my front control arms with Mevotech supreme, greaseable as well. Not too long ago I replaced my rear sway bar with the Steeda setup so I went ahead and replaced the front sway bar bushings with some Moog K200520 thermoplastic bushings.

I also replaced all my sway bar end links with Moog that has the zerk fitting on it as well.

Bilstein makes the B6 setup for all 4 corners that has made a substantial difference in ride quality and cornering. I had to wait 3 months for my driver front to come in.

I would just replace the control arms entirely in the rear if I were you. As for aftermarket, you're best bet are the Mevotech's or Moog's.

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Moog isn't what it used to be and I'd put money on Motorcraft lasting longer vs whatever else. Been there done that with the cheap junk.

 

[xartic]

That's fine and all but the motorcraft do not have the greasable fittings so I passed on OEM. Seeing the condition my stock ones were at 92K miles, I have no faith in them lasting long.

How about Motorcraft wheel bearings? These are known to be failing frequently and I know my rear 2 were replaced before 60K and I had to replace the driver rear again (another Motorcraft that failed) with a Timken.

 

[03WIExplorerLtd]

That's fine and all but the motorcraft do not have the greasable fittings so I passed on OEM. Seeing the condition my stock ones were at 92K miles, I have no faith in them lasting long.

How about Motorcraft wheel bearings? These are known to be failing frequently and I know my rear 2 were replaced before 60K and I had to replace the driver rear again (another Motorcraft that failed) with a Timken.

That's fine and all but the motorcraft do not have the greasable fittings so I passed on OEM. Seeing the condition my stock ones were at 92K miles, I have no faith in them lasting long.

How about Motorcraft wheel bearings? These are known to be failing frequently and I know my rear 2 were replaced before 60K and I had to replace the driver rear again (another Motorcraft that failed) with a Timken.

What is your expectation for the sway bar links? I would suggest read reviews on other brands. Moog, Dorman etc are junk. Grease zerks fall out, dry out etc. Been there done that. I had a boot ripped at 20k on my MC sway bar link but compared to the subpar stuff, miles above. I replaced my front suspension on my Explorer with more miles than our Sienna (it lasted longer). At 130k its all tired. Toyota is a better brand as well, bit it will still need replacing.

Timken might be oem for Ford. 1 bearing at 120k and not since (150k).