98 e150 high top sway

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Feb 23, 2007 | 11:55 AM

RubyVan

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Joined: Feb 2007

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98 e150 high top sway

This is my first posting, I'm finding a lot of great info here! Here's my situation..

My '98 high top E150 sways a lot (93K miles). I noticed the sway bar bushings in the axels are worn, so I bought new ones from Napa (appear to be eurothane, clear/yellowish in color). The new bushings have no metal sleeve around them as the originals appear to have. Do I re-use the old sleeves? If so, how? Leave it in place by cutting out old rubber and insert new bushings? I've read here that others have destroyed the sleeve when removing it. Do I insert it without the metal sleeve? Can I buy just the metal sleeve somewher? I have not removed the old bushings yet. Thank you!!

Feb 24, 2007 | 12:02 PM

kynnhoj

Senior User

Joined: Feb 2005

Posts: 333

Likes: 1

From: Toledo, Ohio

The old metal/rubber comes out. I used synthetic bushings that came with a grease packet (silicone?). Smear grease on the leading edge of the bushing and squeeze in with a large c-clamp with a board on each side. If you don't have a rear sway bar, I will say an e-150 will benefit greatly with one. John

Feb 24, 2007 | 12:04 PM

kynnhoj

Senior User

Joined: Feb 2005

Posts: 333

Likes: 1

From: Toledo, Ohio

Oh yeah, No sleeve on the new bushings!

Feb 26, 2007 | 08:19 AM

RubyVan

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Thanks for confirming that no sleeve is required with the new synthetic bushings.

Any recommendations on what rear sway bar to install on it? Where to get it?

Feb 27, 2007 | 11:03 AM

kgwld1

Junior User

Joined: Nov 2004

Posts: 71

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I've had sway problems but installed a road master active suspension and my problems have gone! Try looking at these I highly recomend them.

Kevin

Feb 27, 2007 | 01:25 PM

Clubwagon

Cargo Master

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 2,182

Likes: 7

From: Saint Augustine, FL

I would recommend installing a larger front bar along with the rear bar. Helwig makes a F/R kit. I use the Helwig front bar on my '95 Clubwagon. It works great. Tightened up the handling nicely. On my van, instead of a rear bar, I installed add-a-leaf rear helper springs. The helper springs and the larger front bar work great together. The helwig bars can be bought from JC Whitney. Addco also makes nice kits for these vans.

Steve
'95 Clubwagon XLT

Feb 28, 2007 | 12:11 PM

packlet

Tuned

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 455

Likes: 3

From: Berkeley

yup. if you add a rear bar (and i recommend it in addition to helper springs,) you should also upgrade the front bar (thicker). handling can get squirrely if the rear is stiffer than the front, roll-wise. I got 'Addco' front upgrade and rear add-on bars from summit. also like the timbren overload springs, fwiw...

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Mar 5, 2007 | 02:24 PM

RubyVan

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Well I installed the new synthetic bushings this past weekend. What a PITA! Took me about 4-5 hours to remove and install the two sway bar bushings. I was determined and darn it it feels great to have that done! I ended up cutting the old bushings out with a hack saw blade. I cut out some of the rubber so I could access the metal sleeve without the rubber 'squeezing' the hack saw blade. Then I used the blade from my hacksaw in a small holder (called a mini-hack saw) and cut a slit in the sleeve from inside the bushing. Takes time, got sore neck muscles after 4 hours of holding my head up under the van. Then I used a screwdriver and hammer to pursuade the old bushing sleeve out from the rear. Installing the new synthetic bushings seemed easy, but unless you have 3 or 4 arms it's tricky. I used a 6" C-clamp, some vrious boards and sockets, and pressed the new ones in. Glad it's done!! Thanks for your help!