Yea I asked the tire people to check out my possenger side wheel well to see this ratling noise I was getting, they said it was my front sway bar links were broken and I need new bushings, they said $206
is this somthing I could do myself and get the parts by myself?? thanks guys
I would say it's more likely the links than the bushings. The links are cheap from Ford (cheaper than aftermarket!) and it can be done in under an hour if you have the tools, and the nuts aren't rusted.
for front links: nothing special. 15mm socket, 17mm open wrench, lots of wd40... may be something else I'm forgetting. remember that both wheels should be off the ground so as not to load the sway bar.
for front sway bar bushings: you will need a lot more mainly because the subframe needs to be lowered. ratchet box wrench will help, but it's gonna be a PITA anyway. 21mm socket, 3" extension, torque wrenche capable of measuring 96 ft-lb just for the subframe bolts. if you replace your bushings w/ stockers you have a hope of sliding old ones out and pushing new back in w/o removing the bracket bolts completely.
I do need it for the front ones, all in all how much am I looking at for parts like brushings and links?? Plus the tire person wasnt sure if that would affect my alignment that I just got done today. will it? and second of all, where the hell is the front sway bar?!?!? I have no idea where it is
I know I'm patheticc
links are about $17 from Bill Jenkins, iirc. no idea about bushings... I wouldn't bother w/ poly bushings in the front. i would replace the damaged ones w/ stockers. look at
this document. picture 7 shows the link disconnected from the strut bracket. trace it down to find the sway bar. none of the items will affect the alignment. and lastly, yes you are
am I suppose to remove the suspension and all or does that stay intact? and in that picture, is the sway bar nut towards the left side back?
you don't have to touch anything else. various pictures which show guts falling out in that document are only there to scare weak-minded
sway bar nut is facing away from you on the picture #8 (locate white plastic star half-hidden behind the outer tie rod - that's the lower end of the link) the nut is behind it
okay so this is what i'm looking at, all that time the rattling in the front was caused by my damaged sway bar links and brushings, now what I hafta replace are my links but only to the front passenger side becuase thats where the rattling and all is. Now, how many links are in one end like how many do I need to order and also how many brushings?? and can I just order them from the ford dealership along with the brushings?? thanks for being patient with me
I kinda knew what I'm getting into
two bushings in all (i'm sure it's a set).
one link per side. I am a a strong proponent of replacing suspension parts in pairs though.
by the way, anyone know the part number for the front sway bar links?
nvm, I found it all
here I guess I need #15 and #13.
In that case I would get down there and make sure you actually do need the parts your "tire guy" thinks you do. if his comment about alignment is any indication, then I would try to triple check what he says.
Why is it so many have these cars and are tight on money LOL. I am going through the same thing right now (not money) Suspension issues. I am simply waiting for a warmer day and time to get the parts.
#13 requires a subframe drop. Are you sure you want to pay 300 bucks to install a 10 dollar part? While the suframe is dropped maybe you should replace all of the subframe buishing. I think that there are six.
for installation, does car need to be on load or I can take the tires out??
links?
both on the ground (more or less level) or both off the ground. probably easier w/ front end up on jack stands and wheels off.
I dunno... use the Force maybe
but seriously you left it sitting overnight, so hopefully wd-40 will work its way in. it should work though. remember that all suspension nuts are using loctite, so they are bound to be stubborn. just use proper tools and you should be ok...
unlike some people
we tried a beakobar and everything and still its not comming off
WD40 is crap get some PB BLaster, it'll eat away the rust and get into the threads. Also, you really would want to use an impact gun rather than breaker bars.
Secondly the Sway bar link require you to hold the nut at the back once you've lossened it otherwise it'll just spin. IIRC it's a 13mm wrnech that hold the rear flats/nut.
Stazi, it's 17mm, it's mentioned above and it's clearly not his problem
You're right, but anyway, like a I said I would get the car to someone house/work who has an impact gun to tackle that nut, not a cheater bar.
I'll def. change the other too later on..hopefully 
We have used soo much torque that its not eating up the edges. This was at night in the garage so we called it the day. Any ideas or suggestions as to what I should try??