front sway bar
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Rochester, NY
Well, the reason I ask is that Addco already lists a solid bar to take the place of the hollow OEM front one. But they don't specify 2WD or 4WD - and I have to assume that it was intended for the 2WD...
Lead Driver
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From: SoCal
Originally Posted by Aftrmidnite
The OEM bar is solid, not hollow.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2003
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I've had mine out of my 94 4.0L 2wd van, power/sand washed it and painted it, heard the sound it makes when striking concrete and its solid. Weights about the same as a solid AC blower shaft of that size too.
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From: Rochester, NY
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
Hmmm, if it is solid, then no need to replace as it is pretty beefy. Only problem I think the arms are short. Longere arms (sidepieces or whatever they're called) would make it better I would think.
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Alabama
I don't think rear anti-sway bars were ever OEM on the Aerostar. I've owned a '90, 94, and now a 96 all extended and all would "wag" going down the highway, until I installed an aftermarket rear anti-sway bar. Makes a big difference.
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Joined: Mar 2004
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From: denton tx
anyone have linkage problems? my front set have been broken since i can remember. it really makes it feel like a boat. anyone have luck with aftermarket. o and guys, we're talking about minivans here right? whos taking corners hard enough to need a heavier bar? i dont really car if mine is hollow or not because i only have straight line performance...theres no point in tearing into corners and risking a roll over. now for all the tow boys...that wasnt meant 4 u, i know the bigger bar helps towing a lot.
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From: SoCal
suprajztwenty,
You can get aftermarket replacement end links. I got a set made by Energy Suspension; they came with their bright red polyurethane bushings. Energy makes them in different lengths, so you just have to remove one of your old links and find the set that most closely matches. If yours are broken and you have all the pieces, you can still bring them to find a match. I don't think it's too critical to find an exact match.
You can get aftermarket replacement end links. I got a set made by Energy Suspension; they came with their bright red polyurethane bushings. Energy makes them in different lengths, so you just have to remove one of your old links and find the set that most closely matches. If yours are broken and you have all the pieces, you can still bring them to find a match. I don't think it's too critical to find an exact match.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
I checked out Energy Suspension. Turns out they don't sell to the public, but they told me Murrays Discount Auto sells their parts, so that is even easier. My links are shabby as the end popped off and I rigged it. But then I found the bushings in the D-brackets at the frame connection were loose. The rubber is good so I will shim them from the bottom hoping to squash the rubber around the bar. Then I probably will get the end links.
What is the deal, though, with the stock front bar being 1.375-inch diameter? That is a very hefty bar. My E350 motorhome stock bar was 1-inch. Is there a design flaw in the Aerostar that required such a beefy bar or is it just that the side bars are rather short and the thicker bar compensates? BTW, if the bar is hollow it probably is not significant as a thin bar (what would be the hollow) does good little anyway, so a hollow bar probably doesn't have much less resistance than a solid bar.
What is the deal, though, with the stock front bar being 1.375-inch diameter? That is a very hefty bar. My E350 motorhome stock bar was 1-inch. Is there a design flaw in the Aerostar that required such a beefy bar or is it just that the side bars are rather short and the thicker bar compensates? BTW, if the bar is hollow it probably is not significant as a thin bar (what would be the hollow) does good little anyway, so a hollow bar probably doesn't have much less resistance than a solid bar.