I just had an incident with this and also just saw another post, but I thought that I'd elaborate a bit more.

So, while I was getting my state inspection sticker yesterday, the mechanic who was performing the inspection came up to me and informed me that my truck would fail as the sway bar linkage was missing on the front drivers side of my truck. Apparently, this is a known problem with Expys, Explorers and F-150s that the mechanics at my shop are aware of and check for whenever a car/truck comes in for service. Basically the linkage is a "fancy" bolt that connects your sway bar to the rest of your suspension system. (Can't think of the name of the large bracket to which the hub and spring etc attach to.) These linkages are subject to abuse from temperature changes from hot to cold and also moisture and rust, at least that is what the tech told me. Now that both linkages are replaced my truck handles much better. I never even noticed that it was missing.
So, I reccommend that you check your truck to ensure that you aren't missing any linkages. It helps tremendously to turn the steering wheel to one side and check the wheel on that side. Little black 3" - 4" bolt deal that goes from the sway bar to the lower "suspension platform" (control arm?) on the front wheels. If you look at the sway bar and if the linkage is missing, there will be distinct gap there. Also, the replacement of the linkages was covered under my extended warranty.

Smitty

 

Yep, it connects to the control arm. Mine rusted off, and it cost 20 bucks for real rubber replacements from NAPA, isntead of the nylon. Only the drivers side was bad, but I replaced both to be sure.

 

You are exactly right on the not noticing. Mine had been broken for some time and I had no idea except for a strange noise I was hearing during a body shift. I thought it was something in the suspension from the cold weather but once I finally got it on a rack there was half a bold just hanging there.....was rubbing against the mount when I went over dips n such.


Cost me about $29 and 30 minutes work....and the handling was amazing.....don't know how I missed it except it's my wife's daily driver.

 

Go with the Energy Suspension Urethane end link kit. Costs about $20 (what Ford charges for 1 side) and it is far superior to the OEM parts.

BigMan69

 

The front end of my expy has seemded looser lately... is that one of the symptoms of this problem?

Thanks,

 

Is there a kit for '03s yet? 2002 and older won't fit

 

budg,

I did notice in retrospect that my front end was considerably more loose before I had the linkage replaced. If you want to check, look for the U shaped curved sway bar in the front wheel wells. I'm not sure of the setup on the newer model Expys but I'd imagine it's not too different. From the curved sway bar there should be a linkage to the lower control arm, to which your wheel/hub/rotor/lower end of shock attaches. There is more of the same info in my first post.

Smitty

 

stupid question, I'm sure, but where underneath can you see this?

 

I replaced them on my '98...$20 for a kit from NAPA. Symptoms were some weird creaking noises from front end intermittantly. Also noticed the steering sort of felt different from time to time. Ended up crawling under the front end and noticed one was just hanging there. They are located inboard of each front wheel and attach vertically between the upper and lower suspension components that connect to the hub assy. About 4-6" long with rubber bushings on either end.

 

thanks.

 

When I picked up my Expy last year from the stealer I had it checked out by my mechanic. He found that the passenger side was broken. I fixed it myself for $20. Funny how that can't get by a "real" mechanic's once over but breezed through the dealers inspection.