Sway bar bushing-hangers welded to bushing metal wrapping.

R

Rockettman

New member
I went to replace my sway bar bushings, and the metal wrap that in cases the rubber bushing, is welded to the bracket that mounts to the frame. It’s a factory weld.
Are they all like this? How are others replacing these bushings? Are people cutting the welds off?
 
Rockettman said:
I went to replace my sway bar bushings, and the metal wrap that in cases the rubber bushing, is welded to the bracket that mounts to the frame. It’s a factory weld.
Are they all like this? How are others replacing these bushings? Are people cutting the welds off?
Click to expand...

I've never seen the front or rear bushing retainers welded on. All have been secured with bolts & nut (2 per side in the front and 1 per side in the rear).
 
I actually just upgraded my sway bars to Addco front and back. No welds. All bolts and nuts like fastblackmerc said. Do you have pictures of what you have?
 
For the front sway bar center bushings, those have nut zerts that are in the frame. Remove the bolts and the threads stay in the frame. Only thing i can think of is the sway bar end links at the control arm.... those end links will need to be replaced. Rear is just bolt in and go... Shoot us a picture or two.
 
I know it’s the weirdest thing. But yes, where the u-shaped hanger wraps up to the top, they are welded to a metal cylinder that circles the rubber bushing.
ugh. I should’ve taken a picture. I don’t have any idea how they’d come off. The rubber bushing is a solid piece too - no split to remove. It’s as if the entire bar would need to be replaced. I’ve never seen that in 40 years under vehicles. (Can’t even think of an aftermarket that would design that...not that I even believe that it is aftermarket).
 
Are you the original owner? I ask as that is the only way the bushing would be a factory surprise. Based on you description I suspect someone used replacement bushings and the holes didn't line up so instead of getting the correct parts they just welded it in place. Get the correct parts and go at the welds with a cold chisel. Bolt new parts back on.
 
The OEM front bushings were molded directly to the swaybar and the brackets. The only way to remove a bushing is to cut the bracket. If you buy replacement bushings from Ford they will be more of the standard style with the flat side that mounts up against the frame. You will also have to buy new brackets which are more of the conventional style (U-shaped). The problem is there’s no way to keep the sway bar for moving side to side, the later panther sway bars actually had humps manufactured into them. You could use swaybar locks, but no matter what I tried mine still moves around a little bit and I wish I would’ve never cut off the original bushings.
 
Bought mine a year old and same. 2 bolts and swap the bushing from what I recall.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
I've been having an issue lately with an Addco front sway bar. When I make a sharp turn (either direction), there's a quick "knock" noise. We've traced it down to the sway bar moving side to side ever so little and then hitting the TCE Wilwood brake caliper mounts. We've yet to come up with a fix for this. My latest thinking is to grind down the section of the sway bar that's hitting, but I'm not sure how wise that is. Either way, the bushings aren't holding it in place effectively.
 
Rick-n-Miami said:
I've been having an issue lately with an Addco front sway bar. When I make a sharp turn (either direction), there's a quick "knock" noise. We've traced it down to the sway bar moving side to side ever so little and then hitting the TCE Wilwood brake caliper mounts. We've yet to come up with a fix for this. My latest thinking is to grind down the section of the sway bar that's hitting, but I'm not sure how wise that is. Either way, the bushings aren't holding it in place effectively.
Click to expand...

You need these is the correct inside diameter.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Howe-23700...628421&hash=item3662aaf60c:g:lTQAAOSwmjZet50k
 
Comin' in Hot said:
The OEM front bushings were molded directly to the swaybar and the brackets. The only way to remove a bushing is to cut the bracket. If you buy replacement bushings from Ford they will be more of the standard style with the flat side that mounts up against the frame. You will also have to buy new brackets which are more of the conventional style (U-shaped). The problem is there’s no way to keep the sway bar for moving side to side, the later panther sway bars actually had humps manufactured into them. You could use swaybar locks, but no matter what I tried mine still moves around a little bit and I wish I would’ve never cut off the original bushings.
Click to expand...
Right there. Just like mine.
Thank god it’s not just mine. (Not that it’s great..but...)

Question...are both your 2003 & 2004 set up like that? Maybe it’s a “year-thing”?
 
Last edited:
Rockettman said:
Right there. Just like mine.
Thank god it’s not just mine. (Not that it’s great..but...)

Question...are both your 2003 & 2004 set up like that? Maybe it’s a “year-thing”?
Click to expand...

Definitely my 04, my 03 had aftermarket sway bars when I got it. But I swear I’ve seen it on the 3 other 03 Marauders I’ve had. The easiest way to tell is if the bushing is completely round versus flat in one side.
 
Comin' in Hot said:
Definitely my 04, my 03 had aftermarket sway bars when I got it. But I swear I’ve seen it on the 3 other 03 Marauders I’ve had. The easiest way to tell is if the bushing is completely round versus flat in one side.
Click to expand...
Ya, my bushings are completely round. The replacements I bought are the “usual” flat-one-side.

so does anyone out there have any brackets for sale that’ll fit my 28mm thick sway bar (and my new replacement MOOG bushings]? So that I can replace my bushings? (Able to ship to Toronto, Canada).
 
Rockettman said:
Ya, my bushings are completely round. The replacements I bought are the “usual” flat-one-side.

so does anyone out there have any brackets for sale that’ll fit my 28mm thick sway bar (and my new replacement MOOG bushings]? So that I can replace my bushings? (Able to ship to Toronto, Canada).
Click to expand...

Ford sells them. You’re also going to need swaybar locks.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top