Has anyone replaced their track bar bushings on an early 99? Tried an energy suspension hyperflex kit today and the bushings were huge and could not fit, had to return the kit. Called Energy Suspensions and they were not sure. They thought maybe the 4.7115 but again were unsure. They said probably none of the other bushings in the kit would fit.

 

You could try the Prothane PTH-6-1217-BL kit
or
Ford Polyurethane Suspension Bushings - www.jackit.com - The Suspension Experts
among others

 

I had a 99 F250 that I put a leveling kit on. They only had the bolt cams for the larger track bar. The early 99 has a 17mm bolt. The later ones have a 21mm bolt if I remember correctly.

I went to the wrecker and got the larger bar and top mount. I drilled the hole in the axle bracket out to 21mm.

 

The very early 99's use a smaller bolt/bushing.
I did the same, convert to the larger (and much more common!) track bar.

Since I was also installing a mild lift at the same time I was replacing the very shot stock track bar, I did the following:
- Stock frame bracket from later model (JY's have thousands...)
- Adjustable track bar designed for later model (good luck finding adjustable for early '99 - that is what drove this solution)
- Modified a Skyjacker TB-920 lower bracket to fit the larger track bar. This involved machining out the upper hole and a bit of grinding on the bracket and end of track bar. This is the bracket for early '99 so it bolts right to axle. Just need to open up the top hole.
Skyjacker Suspensions TB920 - Skyjacker Track Bar Brackets - Overview - SummitRacing.com

This allowed me to correct track bar length, angle, and fit the stronger and more available big bar. And without any modification to stock bracket. And for a pretty reasonable amount of cash! I am delighted with results.

 

I am wondering if you had a distinct knocking noise and vibration under floorboard when you were having track bar problems?

 

Yes I did have what I would call a bang/creak when braking. If felt like it was coming from the drivers side under the floor board and could be felt by the passenger also. Since I couldn't find bushings locally or quickly I cleaned the track bar up, lubed it, and put it back. No more noise, so I guess it was the track bar.

 

where did you find the upper mount and track bar, None of the junk yards around me have my year of truck.

 

Bump it up.

 

AFAIK, there are only two upper brackets for leaf trucks - early '99 and late '99 to 2004.

 

Ok found the problem. Because of the Leveling kit on the front I found that Tough Country brand kit has a replacement bracket to adjust the drive axle alignment.

http://www.jackit.com/ford/instructions/jac3009.pdf

 

Ok, going to resurrect and hijack this thread. I have an E99, I took out the old track bar bushings with a combination of a butane torch, a 3/8 drill bit, a hammer, and a couple of sockets. I then had to cut out the melted remainders on one tough end with a very sharp knife and finished it off with a screwdriver wrapped in 80 grit sandpaper. I then pressed in the kit from Energy suspension part# 4.7115G. Heres the link. Energy Suspension 4.7115 Front Track Arm Bushings
Only problem is, even though they fit, I couldnt get them to fit into the old brackets? I know I have the right sized ones, it says 99 f350 on the box and the only other option was the 4.7126. Those are much larger and are for the later 99 and up trucks. Heres the link for those.
Energy Suspension 4.7126 Track Arm Bushings. Theres a review on there that describes the same problem Im having... He cut off part of the actual bushing, I really dont want to do that, kind of defeats the purpose of new bushings. There is a metal sleeve that in the the eyelet of the track arm that extends about an 1/8 inch out of both sides of the eyelet. Im going to go press out the new bushings and cut that off with a grinder, then, we will see if it fits. If not... then Im just going to go buy the whole trackbar I guess. Anyone have any other ideas other than whats listed here? I dont have the equipment to hack off brackets and weld on new ones.

 

I just put on a newer track rod and bracket. The early 99 unit was way too tiny IMO.

 

Yeah, I didnt go that way. I figured out how to use the old brackets and track rod. This alowed me to use the Energy suspension bushings. I ended up grinding the "lips" off of the eyelets of the track rod and pressing the bushings in. Total cost, under 13.00$ I took a couple of pics, If anyone needs some pointers let me know.

 

I also have an early 99 with the smaller track bar and would like to install the larger adjustable track bar.
My question is if you're having to modify the Skyjacker lower bracket by machining out the upper hole, couldn't you just modify the existing hole to accept the larger bolt without having to buy the Skyjacker bracket?

Is this OK or is there a reason that this can't be done?

 

barhopper did you get at this yet? If you do it could you please note the diameter and length of the upper and lower bolts that you replace. I would like to order parts to change mine to an adjustable bar too but can't get under truck right now do to knee injury. Thanks