Stabilizer link replacement 99 F150

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Stephen N. - 19 Apr 2006 02:55 GMT

I noticed this last that I was getting a clunk when I was starting out
on a right hand turn. I had a look this morning and found that the
driver side stabilizer/anitsway bar link was loose. The bolt had
snapped inside the link so the end of the bar was banging on the top of
the link. I think I may have been hearing slight clunks from this in
the last while but I couldn't swear to it. It might have been loose for
a while or maybe it just snapped last night.

I got a replacement for about $10 and it took about 10 minutes to put
in. The other side seems fine so I only replaced the side that broke.
Should I replace both or is there really any point to this? It doesn't
seem to be worn at all.

Just thought I'd share this in case anyone was wondering about a similar
problem.

Stephen N.

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Lawrence - 19 Apr 2006 12:38 GMT

> Should I replace both or is there really any point to this? It doesn't
> seem to be worn at all.

My truck is a 99 4x4 4.6L as well. My passenger side bar snapped last May so
I replaced it and I wondered about doing both at the same time but I didn't
bother. Then in August the driver's side went as well. So, I guess a person
could go ahead and do both at once or they can wait till it breaks. Boils
down to personal preference.

Cheers,
Lawrence

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Stephen N. - 19 Apr 2006 17:12 GMT

>>Should I replace both or is there really any point to this? It doesn't
>>seem to be worn at all.
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> could go ahead and do both at once or they can wait till it breaks. Boils
> down to personal preference.

Actually, I thought about that last night and it was totally lame to do
just one side. I wouldn't have thought about it but I had to go out to
dinner about an hour after I started doing the repair. I thought I
would run out of time so I figured I wouldn't even start the other side.
The first side went so fast, I probably would have had time anyway.
I'll do that this afternoon.

Considering one side broke, it just doesn't make sense not to do the
other side when I already have the parts and it is such a quick fix.

Stephen N.

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Stephen N. - 20 Apr 2006 06:24 GMT

>> My truck is a 99 4x4 4.6L as well. My passenger side bar snapped last
>> May so
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> Considering one side broke, it just doesn't make sense not to do the
> other side when I already have the parts and it is such a quick fix.

Big surprise, I did the other side and the bolt was very worn in a few
places. Not sure how long it would have taken to break but it was on
its way and it was a good thing I did go ahead with the fix. This side
took about 15 minutes because the bolt was quite frozen in the
spacer/sleeve and took a bit of Lube and elbow grease to free it up.
Still a pretty easy job.

Next job, shocks!

Stephen N. --->

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Whitelightning - 21 Apr 2006 03:54 GMT

> Next job, shocks!
>
> Stephen N. --->

what about the rear sway bar links? and the sway bar frame mounting
bushings?

Whitelightning

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Stephen N. - 21 Apr 2006 07:22 GMT

>>Next job, shocks!
>>
>>Stephen N. --->
>>
> what about the rear sway bar links? and the sway bar frame mounting
> bushings?

The rear links would be a worthwhile thing to do. I had a pretty good
look at the front swaybar frame mounting bushings and they looked good.
The rubber is still pliable and I couldn't see any cracking. They
don't really get stressed much compared to the links which see a lot of
radial loading and shearing forces. That was reflected in the wear I
saw on the link bolts.

I don't want to think of replacing everything I think is wearing out,
though. That would be everything but I will do the easy, less expensive
ones as maintenance. Not that shocks are going to be cheap...

Stephen N.

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