My wife has an '03 Escape that she really likes. About a month ago, and interestingly the same day I rotated the tires (another thread maybe), I noticed some clanking in the front end while driving across a rough parking field. Not a clue, but thought it had to be either a strut or a bad sway bar link or possibly both. I do drive this vehicle fairly often but had never noticed any strange front end noise. I decided to order a pair of Moog links from Rock Auto - reasonable at ~$32 including the UPS shipping. These new links have grease fittings, so will probably never fail again.
Now for the change out ordeal - and it is an ordeal, especially here in the Northeast where the roads are heavily salted in the winter. There is a 5mm Allen wrench recess in the through bolt - I rounded two new wrenches.
Rather then go through tis step by step, I'll just note a few things:
1. There is little work room - so you do need to remove the front wheels.
2, The 5mm Allen wrench probably wont work
3. You need 14 and 15mm 1/2 drive short 6 point sockets, ratchet and an 18-24" breaker bar (a ratchet extension is handy for the breaker bar)
4. You need 14 and 15mm combo wrenches - long is better, mine aren't.
5. You need wire cutters to remove the OEM rubber boot.
6. You need GOOD Vise Grips - small as well as a large pair.
7. If you can break the link nylon inner liner from the steel outer shell(see photo) a small pipe wrench works great
8. A can of PB Blaster or similar(it may not work, but it makes you think it's doing something)
9. If you have a lift, no special tools, plan on at least 2 hours. If you are doing it sitting on your butt on the garage floor, with a jacked up car as I did, 4 or more hours
10. No, you can't get a torque wrench on the two lower nuts - just tighten them snugly and to what you think is at least 29 ft lbs
The replacement MOOG links - very heavy and greaseable as compared to Ford's coat hanger wire crap - see the photo. Yes, the OEM link did have a slight bend after 60K miles
Comments - the car seems to have fewer front end noises plus the handling has stiffened up a bit - and no more clanking as the bar hits the lower control arm. Don't let small children near unless you want to teach them interesting new words. The job isn't hard, just frustrating due to tight hand room.
I had to cut the top nut off the bottom came off easy, the oil/road grime kept it lubed. On a side note it's good to see that not only mine is rusting above the control arm. Going to start oiling her down every fall that should take care of it.
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04 Escape XLT Sport 3.0L
06 Ranger XL 2.3L
The best never rest.. Built Ford Tough
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