New member! first question...
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New User
Joined: Nov 2011
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New member! first question...
and probably not the last
Howdy everyone. Bought my first ford a year ago.
2004 4x4 Ford excursion xlt. Been a truck guy all my life, dodge mainly. Just added twin girls to my litter so the truck had to go. Hoping to learn a thing or two from you guys.
First order of business are my front sway bar end links. Did a search and read a few threads on the subject. seems pretty straight forward. My question revolves more about lifting the vehicle. As ive never really done suspension work, what is the best way to lift the truck? I have a good floor jack and jack stands. I believe suspension parts are under load and need to be lifted a certain way to be worked on. is this the case w/ the sway links? Again, ive done motor swaps, swamp buggy/airboat builds, etc. but never had to do the suspension work so be easy on me!! thanks
Howdy everyone. Bought my first ford a year ago.
2004 4x4 Ford excursion xlt. Been a truck guy all my life, dodge mainly. Just added twin girls to my litter so the truck had to go. Hoping to learn a thing or two from you guys.
First order of business are my front sway bar end links. Did a search and read a few threads on the subject. seems pretty straight forward. My question revolves more about lifting the vehicle. As ive never really done suspension work, what is the best way to lift the truck? I have a good floor jack and jack stands. I believe suspension parts are under load and need to be lifted a certain way to be worked on. is this the case w/ the sway links? Again, ive done motor swaps, swamp buggy/airboat builds, etc. but never had to do the suspension work so be easy on me!! thanks
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,407
Likes: 155
From: Milwaukee, WI
Welcome and congrats on the Excursion and the expanding litter! The front sway bar will not be under any tension. So you are safe to just unbolt the old and install the new. You should not need to jack it since there's pretty good clearance.
When jacking otherwise, jack the axle under where the leaf spring is or near there. I've been told never to lift by the differential pumpkin, you could damage things. Make sure the jack stands and floor jack are rated for the weight of the Ex, which is 4 tons or 8000 pounds.
I use a 6 ton bottle jack and two 3 ton jack stands. You don't want this beast falling on you. 2 ton floor jacks just can't move this beast.
When jacking otherwise, jack the axle under where the leaf spring is or near there. I've been told never to lift by the differential pumpkin, you could damage things. Make sure the jack stands and floor jack are rated for the weight of the Ex, which is 4 tons or 8000 pounds.
I use a 6 ton bottle jack and two 3 ton jack stands. You don't want this beast falling on you. 2 ton floor jacks just can't move this beast.
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New User
Joined: Nov 2011
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Thanks thanks.
So not under tension huh? That means that these things are pretty seized on!
I just about gave myself a hernia earlier today. That's why I thought it was under a load. So a can of on blaster is in order?
So not under tension huh? That means that these things are pretty seized on!
I just about gave myself a hernia earlier today. That's why I thought it was under a load. So a can of on blaster is in order?
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,885
Likes: 25
From: Chino, California
I use a 3.5 ton jack. Since I'm only lifting either end, and not all 4 wheels, it is enough. I use the pumpkin as the jack up point for the rear. I wouldn't suggest the pumpkin on the front since it is not centered as it is in the rear.
Welcome to FTE.
Welcome to FTE.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,420
Likes: 16
From: Ouray, CO
Zola,
Welcome to FTE & the Excursion brotherhood.
I replaced my front sway bar endlinks & bushings.
As long as the front end is level there is no tension on the sway bar.
IF you have only 1 wheel up on a ramp/curb then you have lots of tension.
I'm 2wd, so I don't have as much room underneath as the 4wd.
I bought a set of 12k lb ramps from autozone and they work great.
I just bought a 3.5 ton jack & 6 ton jack stands from Northern Tools
and they too work great. There was a review from a fellow Excursion
owner (and I need to add my comment as well).
Welcome to FTE & the Excursion brotherhood.
I replaced my front sway bar endlinks & bushings.
As long as the front end is level there is no tension on the sway bar.
IF you have only 1 wheel up on a ramp/curb then you have lots of tension.
I'm 2wd, so I don't have as much room underneath as the 4wd.
I bought a set of 12k lb ramps from autozone and they work great.
I just bought a 3.5 ton jack & 6 ton jack stands from Northern Tools
and they too work great. There was a review from a fellow Excursion
owner (and I need to add my comment as well).
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,407
Likes: 155
From: Milwaukee, WI
I'm in rep hold so someone else will have to hit you up for that one.
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