Front Sway Bar Bushing Replacement (with pics)
#31
05-03-2012, 12:11 PM
#32
05-04-2012, 10:10 AM
#33
05-08-2012, 06:35 PM
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#34
05-08-2012, 11:57 PM
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Thanks for the writeup, it's especially great with the illustrations.
I too have the clunking coming from right under the pedals on the driver's side, that it seems most have cured by either replacing the sway bar bushings and/or tightening the top sway bar end link where it bolts to the frame.
My sway bar end link bushings look really worn & are starting to crumble (though my sway bar U-bracket bushing actually look somewhat okay), so I ordered the Energy 4.5186G kit for the sway bar end link bushings, and the Energy 4.5180G kit for the sway bar U-bracket bushings from Amazon today. I noticed that it seems that Energy does in fact sell a Front Sway Bar Endlink Bushings kit for Excursions (Part Number: 881166: 881166 Front Sway Bar Endlink Bushings), but it wasn't listed on Amazon's site, so I just ordered the 2 kits above from Amazon (since I am an Amazon Prime member, I get free 2-day shipping & $3.99/item for overnight shipping), as I want to get this taken care of, if possible, before this weekend.
I plan to have my alignment shop do the install, since I need to get some other stuff done there anyway, and I'm sure they have a press that'll make the job go quick & easy, so shouldn't add much to the cost.
*** P.S. my X has an 8" lift (Bilstein 7100 smooth body resi shocks & unknown brand all spring i.e. no blocks lift, so initially I thought I would need to track down special longer length end links & bushings for the lift. However I noticed on one manufacturer's lift kit installation instructions that the way that they handled this is by taking the bracket that the top of the end link bolts into, and moving it from inside the frame rails to underneath the frame rails. This make sense, since it enables one to retain the stock end links, and use stock end links & bushings for replacements, instead of needing unique replacements when they wear out. Since I took a look underneath my X and noticed that both the brackets that the top of my end links bolt into are both bolted to the bottom of the frame rails & hence hang down slightly below the frame rails, I am hopeful that my X still has stock end links, despite the 8" lift, and that the bushing kit for the stock end links should work. My end links measure almost exactly 12" long when measuring in a straight line from center-to-center. Anyone know if the stock front sway bar end links measure the same? Either way, when I get the install done, I'll report back whether the stock end link bushings worked for me. ***
You can see the stock location for the bracket that the top of the front sway bar end link mounts to in WE3ZS's picture here:
My sway bar end link top mount brackets mount in the same location, but have been flipped upside down & are mounted to the bottom of the frame rails, instead of inside the frame rails.
I too have the clunking coming from right under the pedals on the driver's side, that it seems most have cured by either replacing the sway bar bushings and/or tightening the top sway bar end link where it bolts to the frame.
It looks like the Energy 4.5186G bushings that you bought are only 32mm. I believe from other threads that the correct part for the bushings is 4.5180G which are 36mm. That is probably why they clamps were not able to close over the bushings correctly. I purchased the 36mm bushings but have not put them on yet so I cannot say for sure which is the correct part #.
See post #4 from this thread: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...s-rebuild.html
See post #4 from this thread: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...s-rebuild.html
I plan to have my alignment shop do the install, since I need to get some other stuff done there anyway, and I'm sure they have a press that'll make the job go quick & easy, so shouldn't add much to the cost.
*** P.S. my X has an 8" lift (Bilstein 7100 smooth body resi shocks & unknown brand all spring i.e. no blocks lift, so initially I thought I would need to track down special longer length end links & bushings for the lift. However I noticed on one manufacturer's lift kit installation instructions that the way that they handled this is by taking the bracket that the top of the end link bolts into, and moving it from inside the frame rails to underneath the frame rails. This make sense, since it enables one to retain the stock end links, and use stock end links & bushings for replacements, instead of needing unique replacements when they wear out. Since I took a look underneath my X and noticed that both the brackets that the top of my end links bolt into are both bolted to the bottom of the frame rails & hence hang down slightly below the frame rails, I am hopeful that my X still has stock end links, despite the 8" lift, and that the bushing kit for the stock end links should work. My end links measure almost exactly 12" long when measuring in a straight line from center-to-center. Anyone know if the stock front sway bar end links measure the same? Either way, when I get the install done, I'll report back whether the stock end link bushings worked for me. ***
You can see the stock location for the bracket that the top of the front sway bar end link mounts to in WE3ZS's picture here:
My sway bar end link top mount brackets mount in the same location, but have been flipped upside down & are mounted to the bottom of the frame rails, instead of inside the frame rails.
#35
05-10-2012, 07:00 PM
xbox, Thanks for the kind words! Flipping those top end link mounts to under the frame is a common big lift trick, it lets you keep the factory links and helps avoid having the new high arch springs from hitting the bottom link bolt. I'm at work now without my EX so I can't help with the link length question.
#36
10-27-2012, 10:45 PM
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#37
10-28-2012, 05:44 PM
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Yep, all good. Obviously you won't need the U-bracket bushings from the 4.5186G kit for the Super Duty, since the Excursion-specific U-bracket bushings from the 4.5180G kit replace them. I took the Super Duty U-bracket bushings out when I dropped it off to be installed to avoid confusion.
My usual alignment place didn't want to install the bushings, they wanted to replace the whole dog bones on both sides with new ones (I think they were just somewhat busy that day & didn't want to deal with it & other separate work I wanted done).
So I took it to my local offroad shop. They expressed some skepticism that it was the right kit. But I assured them that it was & that many people on the forums had installed them with success. So they installed it & surprise, surprise, it all fitted perfectly & the installer said he like the kit.
Incidentally, it's a minor point, but I was glad that the bushings I ordered from Amazon were black instead of Energy Suspension's traditional red. Can't say for sure it'll be the same for you, but I was happy.
Anyway, I've had the kit on my Excursion for nearly 6 months now & the clunking ceased after install & no mysterious clunking or squeaking since. They did the job & I am happy.
P.S. Yes, I can also see the A swoosh Amazon icons. Maybe they're a site sponsor, so they get custom icons?
My usual alignment place didn't want to install the bushings, they wanted to replace the whole dog bones on both sides with new ones (I think they were just somewhat busy that day & didn't want to deal with it & other separate work I wanted done).
So I took it to my local offroad shop. They expressed some skepticism that it was the right kit. But I assured them that it was & that many people on the forums had installed them with success. So they installed it & surprise, surprise, it all fitted perfectly & the installer said he like the kit.
Incidentally, it's a minor point, but I was glad that the bushings I ordered from Amazon were black instead of Energy Suspension's traditional red. Can't say for sure it'll be the same for you, but I was happy.
Anyway, I've had the kit on my Excursion for nearly 6 months now & the clunking ceased after install & no mysterious clunking or squeaking since. They did the job & I am happy.
P.S. Yes, I can also see the A swoosh Amazon icons. Maybe they're a site sponsor, so they get custom icons?
#38
10-28-2012, 06:56 PM
I just ordered 2 links with bushings and a new bolts from Ebay for $42 and free shipping. I will believe it when it is done and it's going back if it isn't what that picture showed and with a FULL refund. Dorman link kit...check it out.
#39
10-28-2012, 07:08 PM
Hotshot
#40
10-28-2012, 08:42 PM
I get nervous when things are super cheap so I will post back when mine are in. I have a feeling I will need 2 the main bar bushings also.
#41
10-28-2012, 10:01 PM
Hotshot
I had never heard of Mevotech either, but I ordered them to see what they looked like. Once they arrived they appeared to be of very good quality. The AC Delco bushings looked like other top name brand pieces as well. Time will tell if they hold better than the original Ford pieces. Both were definitely harder compounds than the factory pieces.
#45
10-31-2012, 01:42 AM
I had never heard of Mevotech either, but I ordered them to see what they looked like. Once they arrived they appeared to be of very good quality. The AC Delco bushings looked like other top name brand pieces as well. Time will tell if they hold better than the original Ford pieces. Both were definitely harder compounds than the factory pieces.