I have a 2002 Escape 4WD 3.0L XLT. I have had the front sway bar links replaced twice in the last year and half. The replacement cost is about $100 ($20 /pc. and an hour labor). I was wondering if anyone knew of an A/M link that is "greaseable" like they finally came out with for the Trailblazer and where to purchase it if anywhere? Just curious...

Thanks

 

Are you talking about the stabilizer links that run vertically? If so, I've searched for some non-OEM versions but they don't exist. RockAuto showed they were going to carry some non-OEM versions but they never materialized. The problem is that the ball lives in a nylon socket so it will wear out even with a grease fitting. I replaced them on my 02 Escape and they were $12 each and easy enough to swap out myself. I do notice on my 05 Escape they've changed the design. The rod is thicker though I don't know if the ball joint is built any better.

 

Did mine & used Moog aftermarket parts though they are still nylon or similar - 2001 Tribute (Escape)

 

Where did you get the Moog versions? When I replaced mine there was only one parts store that listed the Moog replacements and they were back ordered for months.

 

Check with a Napa store or NapaOnline.com. I was told that they may be greasable, I will find out Friday when I go to pick them up. Does anyone know what the Torque specs are fore the nuts when replacing these Stabilizer links? I do have to say, for 85K miles and just replacing the original Brakes and tires this has been a good Ford. My Escape is a 05 with the I4 and 2-wheel drive.

 

Well, I just picked up the Swaybar Links from Napa and YES, THEY ARE GREASABLE!!!!! Spend the $60 each and pick up a set. Does anyone know what the torque should be set to when reinstalling these?

 

Just get them tight. You dont need to worry about the torque.

 

"Moog K80104 Sway Bar End Link Kit"

 

I bought the Moogs from Advanced auto parts and they are greasable and i think they where $18.00 each

 

How hard is it to get to the zerk fitting once they are installed?

It looks like a tight fit.

 

mine have regular grease fittings with 90 degree elbows top are easy lowers there's a hole in the frame are control arm that i put my grease gun hose thru to get to the fitting.Also the Moogs are totally more heavy duty looking then the factories

 

Anybody having a knocking coming from the front end should start with replacing the end links. They are cheep $12 each. The Moog end links are top of the line and they completely fixed my knocking . Thanks for all the help you guys and gals have given me.

 

I just replaced mine, wow so nice not to have the clunking sound over every bump, seems to handle tighter too. What was funny is I used the Autozone Duralast part #18348 (for a 2001 Escape) and they were the Moog brand with the grease fittings for $9.99 each. Much beefier than the OEM ones. Took about an hour to do both. Nice little project that made a big difference.

 

i went to get some for my Moms from Advance they don't carry them any more shows them on the internet for $34.00.mine you i bought them for my Daughters e few months ago for under $18.00 each.Napa has them for $44.00 a peice for Dana's that are greasable.I like the price you got them for!!!!!!!

 

Yeah, I notice the prices can be all over the place for this part. When I bought them I figured it was a off brand made for AutoZone, and Duralast parts seem to work fine for me. I just looked at O'Reillys site on line and the have the Moog for $16.99 each, but what's amusing is their store brand Master Pro part is $9.49 is the exact same part number has the Moog #K80104. So I wonder if it's Moog also. I just had to rebuild most of the engine on my daughter's 2002 Dodge Stratus (drove it with a stuck thermostat until the cylinder head got so hot it started melting aluminum shooting holes through 2 pistons.......God bless a 17 year old girl.....) anyway doing it myself and having to replace a lot of parts, what parts I didn't get from Dodge, I would check online between AutoZone, O'Reilly, and NAPA (locally in the Dallas, Texas area) and found at times a wide variety of prices for the same part, sometimes same manufacture. So now I check online just to see if one store is cheaper than the other. I imagine that in some parts of the country where competition in not as strong as my area that the prices may be higher. My Idle Air Control Valve is starting to stick on my Escape, I've taken it off and cleaned it 3 times, still kind of sticky, but I've noticed the price I paid 3 years ago of $65.00 is now only $43.00 if I decide to replace it. So it's nice to see some things come down in price.....Rare thing now days.

Even if I had paid $40 or $50 dollars each for the sway bar repair kit, I'd still be very happy because of the big difference it made!!!!