So I have a 1999 F250 Super Duty 4x4 with a 5.4 and an auto transmission. I have been fighting sway bar links. The first time I went out and got the Moog rebuild kit which came with a warranty. So when those went out 1000 miles later i replaced with a new set under warranty and also a third set after the 2nd went out. Then i decided to buy motorcraft. I have had them on for a few months and now believe those are beginning to "thunk" as well. These are the ones i just put on. Any suggestions on aftermarket? I have heard and seen some that were built almost like a ball joint (ball & socket style) but cant seem to find them that would fit my truck as it seems the early 1999 super duties which mine is (built at the end of 98) has a lot of differences from some of the others.

 

I'm no mechanic, but I'd venture a guess that if they keep going bad that fast that there's something else on your truck that's out of whack that's causing them to fail.

 

Completely agree with you. Just not sure where to look. As far a front end I have replaced sway bar bushings and leaf spring bushings with energy suspension parts and I have also replaced all balljoints and both front hubs. Truck is in really good shape and drives straight as an arrow. Now after saying that I did put 2" lift shackles on the front and now that you have me thinking I guess those could be stressing the links. Wouldn't the sway bar just rotate downward more? But if that is the case which I guess very well could be does anybody know of a way I can get 2" on the front to clear tires?

 

did you put a new drag link in? I'd bet that if you pop the drag link out of it's socket, it'll jump a bit from the lift.

 

No have not replaced the drag link. I will look into it

 

Just reread what you said. Yeah there might be some stress on it. You're right probably the lift is causing my problems. Guess that's what i get for trying to go cheap.

 

an adjustable drag link shouldn't run you more than $150.


try taking it off and see if the situation improves. leaf sprung trucks made it just fine for the 100 years preceding the super duty without any track bars at all. if the clunking goes away but the truck is a bit spookier to drive, then you have you answer for free

 

So I'm guessing that your referring to the trac bar not the drag link with out the drag link you have no steering and the drag link is adjustable it's what you use the adjust the steering wheel left or right to center it. Do not take out the drag link and try to drive.

 

I re-built mine with the energy suspension ones, but they only lasted a year and a half before they went bad. I replaced the whole link with the moog grease-able ones. They've been going strong for multiple years now. I also agree with the above post about the shackles having something to do with it. Just my 2c.

 

I'll try the track bar thing. When I first bought the truck I replaced the track bar. Of coarse it was not adjustable. The answers to the post make a lot more sense. I was trying to figure out how the drag link would affect it. Now the trac bar on the other hand is attatched from frame to front axle and would be affected by a small lift. I also remember that when i bought the track bar it was a pricey because the eyelets on either end were bigger or smaller on the early 99s. Ordered the wrong one at first and had track down the right one. I will for sure be looking into changing it out. Hopefully this won't turn into a scavenger hunt.

 

Looking it up now... I'm going to need one for a truck built before 3/22/1999.

 

I recently fought this. My trac bar had worn a HUGE hole where it attaches to the axle. I also have the leveling kit. When the leveling kit was installed, they hadn't put the drop bracket on the top. I think we found one at tough country. It got the trac bar back to the correct angle. I dont know if this has anything to do with the sway bar links BUT, mine are bad as well and I'm actually changing them tonight.

 

Thanks for the info. Being that mine is a 99 i cant seem to find an adjustable track bar. I never thought about a bracket. Going to check that out.

 

 

Well what do ya know! Searching for the bracket you mentioned i found the company that makes the bracket. They also make an adjustable track bar. And for only $175 you can send them yours and they will lengthen it for you. Sounds like I'm going to make a trip to my local machine shop