swaybar bushings
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 750
Likes: 94
From: Pagosa Springs CO.
swaybar bushings
2000 f250 4x4.. 1500 miles back i replaced my front swaybar bushings from autozone and the swaybar is already rattling around.
i noticed the fitment was not TIGHT when i installed them, irritating to say the least.
are the oem bushings from Ford better quality or fit tighter, can i shim the back side of the bushing so the clamp fits tighter;
any suggestions?
i noticed the fitment was not TIGHT when i installed them, irritating to say the least.
are the oem bushings from Ford better quality or fit tighter, can i shim the back side of the bushing so the clamp fits tighter;
any suggestions?
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
You need to measure the bar size and purchase bushings based on that information - not a listing in a parts catalog. Over the last 10 years or so with the box stores getting worse, their catalog information is getting close to worthless.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 1,704
Likes: 164
From: Southwest Ohio
The digital catalog in the parts stores might have a rare error but they are very correct and accurate. It all comes down to the person using it.
-- Dave
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
This is not correct. What happened is that the AutoZone employee failed to ask you what size sway bar you had and he most likely grabbed the first part number listed.
The digital catalog in the parts stores might have a rare error but they are very correct and accurate. It all comes down to the person using it.
-- Dave
The digital catalog in the parts stores might have a rare error but they are very correct and accurate. It all comes down to the person using it.
-- Dave
Bottom-line is that most of them decided it wasn't worth training their people beyond handling the normal checkout routine. Whatever training they get in parts resolution is simply OJT. AS to the digital catalog - I find errors in them almost constantly, some outfits are worse than others and the online parts stores are even worse. I have been a mechanic for 50+ years and I know the parts counter person that opened the paper catalogs back in the day nailed it 99.9% of the time. I honestly never had to return a part back then, today it can be a common occurrence so I have to take extra steps on my own behalf to make sure I walk out with the correct part.
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 329
Likes: 79
From: Southern California
It's a crying same what has happened to the auto parts stores. There was a time years ago you could tell the guy behind the counter what you needed, he knew what your were talking about and most of the time without looking it up would go get the correct part you needed. In my area there are no longer any independent parts stores only Autozone and O'Reilly's and most of the workers wouldn't be able to find the dip stick for checking the engine oil. The local NAPA store isn't much better because they have tried to turn themselves into an Autozone style store.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 750
Likes: 94
From: Pagosa Springs CO.
i have used car quest for parts for a long time, my local cq is now advance auto, but they kept the cq parts and two of the
original parts clerk. 6 mos ago had my front swaybar bushings replaced with cq parts in another city, i've been hearing a bad clunk in the front end ,
cq bushings already wore out, well went to my local advance auto/cq and got one of the original old timers, come to find out there are 4 different variations
of bushings, who knew, so Ron, the clerk took the time to give me critical measurements with pictures the new parts, there are 3 that are real close only one
thats right on oem. out the parking lot i went with parts tape measure, a minute later ron the clerk comes and gets under the truck with me to double check accuracy
while we're under the truck he mentioned he's got a 97' f350 and does all his own work but like the looks of the early sd with 6.8.
i could go on but you get the picture.
there's still good ones out there , I can't imagine what it would be like dealing with much of the arrogant smug customers today.
i believe in giving people as much information as possible when buying critical auto parts.
original parts clerk. 6 mos ago had my front swaybar bushings replaced with cq parts in another city, i've been hearing a bad clunk in the front end ,
cq bushings already wore out, well went to my local advance auto/cq and got one of the original old timers, come to find out there are 4 different variations
of bushings, who knew, so Ron, the clerk took the time to give me critical measurements with pictures the new parts, there are 3 that are real close only one
thats right on oem. out the parking lot i went with parts tape measure, a minute later ron the clerk comes and gets under the truck with me to double check accuracy
while we're under the truck he mentioned he's got a 97' f350 and does all his own work but like the looks of the early sd with 6.8.
i could go on but you get the picture.
there's still good ones out there , I can't imagine what it would be like dealing with much of the arrogant smug customers today.
i believe in giving people as much information as possible when buying critical auto parts.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 1,704
Likes: 164
From: Southwest Ohio
Maybe you work for one of them?
Bottom-line is that most of them decided it wasn't worth training their people beyond handling the normal checkout routine. Whatever training they get in parts resolution is simply OJT. AS to the digital catalog - I find errors in them almost constantly, some outfits are worse than others and the online parts stores are even worse. I have been a mechanic for 50+ years and I know the parts counter person that opened the paper catalogs back in the day nailed it 99.9% of the time. I honestly never had to return a part back then, today it can be a common occurrence so I have to take extra steps on my own behalf to make sure I walk out with the correct part.
Bottom-line is that most of them decided it wasn't worth training their people beyond handling the normal checkout routine. Whatever training they get in parts resolution is simply OJT. AS to the digital catalog - I find errors in them almost constantly, some outfits are worse than others and the online parts stores are even worse. I have been a mechanic for 50+ years and I know the parts counter person that opened the paper catalogs back in the day nailed it 99.9% of the time. I honestly never had to return a part back then, today it can be a common occurrence so I have to take extra steps on my own behalf to make sure I walk out with the correct part.
You might have had better luck getting correct parts 30 or 40 years ago but that was only because the quality of the employee was much different back then.
-- Dave
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