FordExcursions.com Forums
ROBERTH
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• Raleigh, NC, USA |
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• Registered on 3/23/2003 |
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• 62 posts |
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 Posted:4/11/2007 12:11 |
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Well, got the parts in. The kit said it included the end link bushing and the bar bushings. However, I was shorted the bar bushings. I have sent an Email to them for help on what action to take now. The kit for my truck was only $15.99!
Hope these guys have good service and support to help me with this short ship. Stay tuned!
Thanks for the intel CHP! |
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ROBERTH
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• Raleigh, NC, USA |
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• Registered on 3/23/2003 |
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• 62 posts |
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Posted:4/13/2007 10:20 |
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Ok, I got a response from Energysuspensions.com and they are willing to back up my shortage. I was provided the phone number to call the actual Energy Suspensions company to work out the issue. They told me that the part I ordered did not include the Sway Bar bushings...only the Track Bar bushings.
So, the picture and details on the energysuspensions.com web site is in error and Graham from that company/web site has emailed me and said he would take care of the shortage for me if I confirmed it was wrong on their web site.
I have sent Graham an Email and waiting his reply. His emails seemed to be concerned and wanted to make sure I was taken care of...
So, for anyone else out there that wants both the Sway bar bushings and Track Bar bushings(End Links), you would need to order both part numbers 4.7126 and 4.5180 to make it a complete set.
Will let you know how I turn out on this one......  |
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CHPMustang
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• Plano, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 7/24/2002 |
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• 1,800 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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Posted:4/13/2007 11:00 |
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You're going beyond the call of duty here Robert  This past July while I was in Phoenix Arizona visiting family I purchased a new "adjustable" trac bar which included polyurethane bushings as the rubber ones on the stocker were shot sideways along with a new drag link.
All I'd like to get accomplished is new bar bushings and the little end link bushings which are real bad.
Bill
2002 Excursion XLT-P 4x4 7.3L Powerstroke Diesel
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ROBERTH
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• Raleigh, NC, USA |
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• Registered on 3/23/2003 |
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• 62 posts |
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Posted:4/25/2007 11:23 |
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Update! Working with Energysuspensions.com, we have resolved the mystery on the parts. The web site had the wrong information on the one I ordered. It was thought to inlude the bar bushings, but in fact it does not include them. So, they are sending them to me free of charge to resolve the problem. These folks are very good to work with. It just took time to work through the discrepency between what the supplier includes vs the web site documentation details.
Looking forward to the install once I receive the bar bushings! |
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CHPMustang
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• Plano, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 7/24/2002 |
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• 1,800 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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Posted:4/25/2007 20:43 |
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Let us know which bushing you receive along with the correct accompanying part numbers,we're in debt to your constant pursuit of getting the facts 
Bill
2002 Excursion XLT-P 4x4 7.3L Powerstroke Diesel
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ROBERTH
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• Raleigh, NC, USA |
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• Registered on 3/23/2003 |
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• 62 posts |
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Posted:4/28/2007 11:37 |
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Well guys, here is the result so far.....
The drop link bushings will remain a mystery for now. I need an upper and lower bushing. After removal of my link, I could see that the upper bushing housing is narrower than the lower. Then, I found that these must be pressed in. I could not loosen them with a good size mallet!
The kit I ordered from Energy Suspensions says it includes 2 bushings for each side and is the complete kit....I beg to differ.....we need 2 bushings for each side....assuming that you could remove them.
Then, I see that the metal sleeve in the original bushing will not be able to be re-used with the new bushings and the new bushing set sleeves are way too big inside diameter to use with the existing bolts that they tell you to re-use!
Looks like Andy might be right...for the 4X4 model, you might not be able to find the replacement bushings! 
I did look up the link bar on the fordparts.com site and it says they are $21.00 each. I might have to give them a try,but will visit my local dealer first to see what they have to say...questions would be do the links include the bushings, etc. If they are ready to install at $21.00, that is a bargain, but of course, will be back where I started in about 4 years or so.
Interestingly, the drop links are really more of a ball joint type bushing. They rotate around. They have the rubber boots over the bushing internals that protects the grease from contamination. They are not loose in any way...in fact, they seem to be very tight and they looked pretty good other than the rubber bushing was busted on all 4 of them.
Over time, these will get sand/grit inside and cause them to wear out.
On the positive side, I was able to use the 36MM sway bar bushings....part number 4.5180G. They fit perfectly. The originals seemed to be in great shape, but they are definately a little softer, so these urethane's should provide better support.
Will report back in a few weeks when I get a chance to check with the dealership on the drop link mystery! |
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ROBERTH
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• Raleigh, NC, USA |
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• Registered on 3/23/2003 |
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• 62 posts |
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Posted:4/28/2007 17:04 |
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Ok, after walking away from this so my head could reset, I finally got it!
The bushing set 4.7126 is called a Front Track Bar Bushing set. Thinking about that.....Track Bar..hmmmm.
Pulled up the Ford online manual CD...found it! The Track Bar is not part of the Sway bar at all, it is a totally seperate part in front of the axle. You can actually see the end of it when looking in the front fender well in front of your front tire! Huge bolt that would make sense due the size of the bushing sleeve I mentioned earlier.
Not sure why this did not make any sense to me,but I had it in my head to get a set to fix the sway bar.
So, not all is lost. I will attempt to remove the "Track Bar" tomorrow and report back!
My bets are that I was right on the drop links in that they are pressed in and when you replace them, you get the whole assembly from Ford that includes the top/bottom bushings. I will find out on that one for sure later, but see it in the Fordparts.com web site for $21 each side. I want to drive to the dealer to see it for sure before I order it.
This has been an adventure so far for something that should be so simple. |
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ROBERTH
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• Raleigh, NC, USA |
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• Registered on 3/23/2003 |
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• 62 posts |
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Posted:4/28/2007 19:39 |
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Ok, I just couldn't wait until tomorrow, so tackled this one tonight. Took approx. 2 hours. Was not an easy job!
The Track Bar bushings are pressed in! Since I don't have a press, I devised a press with my bench vise, torch, and a lot of special finagling....spelling.
Then, how in the heck to get the new urethane bushings in? The outside flange is much too big to force in the track bar hole!
After several re-engineering efforts, I found a way, but to explain it would be difficult. Not sure I can recommend anyone doing the Track Bar bushings.
I used two hose clamps on the urethane bushing. With my Black and Decker power screwdriver, I compressed the middle section of the bushing until the clamps wouldn't go any tighter. I could see the middle compressed when looking in the inside of the bushing. Then, I loosened one clamp enough to slide a long small shank screwdriver under the clamp. Then, tighted up as much as I could until the clamp started to strip. Then, I forced the screwdriver such that it would make a V shape in the bushing...this collapses the bushing.....then I tighted the clamp until the V shape collapes as much as possible before the clamp gives out. I then remove the screwdriver and was able to press in the bushing into the track bar in the vise. I of course lubed up everything like I was supposed to with the sticky grease that is supplied.
I have it back on now and the job is complete. I doubt if the Track bar bushings needed replacing. They don't have a lot of rubber. It is a layer of rubber between two steel bushings, so not a lot of room for play. They were very tight and in good shape.
Only thing left as mentioned ealier is to get new drop links from the dealership when I can get the time.  |
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ROBERTH
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• Raleigh, NC, USA |
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• Registered on 3/23/2003 |
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• 62 posts |
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Posted:5/10/2007 13:40 |
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FYI....The popping noise I used to get when backing down the drive or turning corners seems to be gone after replacing the bushings on the Sway bar and Track Bar. I usually did not get the popping noise unless it was raining. I drove for about 14 hours on one day last week and have been in and out of the rain for the last few days and it has not popped one time.
That remains a mystery to me since none of the parts I replaced seemed to be worn. Just fyi..... I still have not replaced the drop links yet and if there was a part that I would have suspected, it would have been them.
Will let you know later if anything changes there. |
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CHPMustang
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• Plano, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 7/24/2002 |
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• 1,800 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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Posted:5/12/2007 20:09 |
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Thanks for the update Robert,I may do a suspension refresh this summer on the X including front springs,sway bar bushings & end links just have to see how the schedule works out 
Bill
2002 Excursion XLT-P 4x4 7.3L Powerstroke Diesel
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