I have found one of my clunks up front. The brake pedal rattles and sounds like it comes from the front of the truck. But when I push against the side of it when I go over sections of road that I am used to hearing the rattle it is gone. So that is one down and 2 more to find. Sway bar still good.

 

Truckperformance.com has the Energy swaybar bushing sets on sale now for $24.99 shipped if anybody is interested.

 

I still have the bushings (2) that go around the sway bar. I have not installed them yet. How hard is it to do? What is involved?

 

I replaced the passenger side end link with
a kit form Autozone. The bolt/nut stripped
during installation, so I was wondering
if anyone knows the torque spec for the
end link bolt/nut?

The Haynes manual says 63~84 ft-lb, but I
never got close to that before the bolt/nut
stripped.

1999 Expedition 4x4 5.4L

 

I found one side broken but replaced both sides just to be sure. I think in happened when I kissed the Expy off the cement barreir coming home from racing. Oh and by the way the only damage was a bent rim and a scuffed wheel well molding andno damage to my friends Drag Radial car. WOOOOOhoooooooo

 

Some of the other boards have posted threads about this issue. Ford has been sending letters to C.T.A. about the rod ends. They know they are week links and need routine inspection. The letter covers vehicles back to 1997 150s 250s Expys and lightings.

 

I had the letter and then threw it away like a dummy. Wish I had a copy of it now. My 2001 Harley truck has a bad squeek in the right front when hitting a speed bump or driveway. Anything that changes the suspension quickly.

I think it's cheesy of Ford to not do a recall on this since they know it's a problem.


RickC

 

I just had to replace mine as well. One side was broken. I couldn't believe those cheezy bolts connected to that huge bar... I would have expected bolts twice that size. I put axle grease all over them prior to installation as it looked like corrosion played a major role in their demise.

 

If I remember right the OEM bolts had a plastic sleeve. I am sure that did wonders for holding moisture in and accelerated the failure of the bolt.

 

You are correct. And it's not hard to notice when they're broken either. It corners like a drunken elephant

 

would this cause the left or right to pull?

 

Not in my case. The lean in turns was how I noticed I had a problem.

 

Are the replacement end links metal? Are metal ones available?

 

yes

 

My 99 Expy 4x4 just started getting excessive body roll in turns and I checked and at 75K both of my endlinks were toast! Went to Autozone for replacements and they had only 1 - Duralast Brand with Gold Zinc coated bolt, washers, spacer, and nut - with stock black looking isolators - all for $14.89 each. But they only had one so I went to Advanced Auto to see what they had... ended up buying 2 from these guys - TRW brand - $8.41 each and they have the same Gold Zinc coated parts but RED isolators. They feel identical to the ones I installed on my Mustang. So I'm wondering if this is a cheapo Energy Suspension kit labeled as a TRW part. Anyway - truck handles night and day better (from broken to fixed). Can't remember if it is tighter feeling now than before - may be due to the fact I just worked on it and it has to be better right???...lol

Whole job took about 20 minutes in the garage - never jacked it. My Hanes manual said 16-21 ft/lbs for coreect tightness... which ended up looking and feeling right.

Hope this helps
FF