Sponsored

Broke a sway bar link -- upgrades? -- 2019 FX4 with FP Fox 2.0 Level Kit

Racket

Well-Known Member
First Name
John
Joined
Jan 21, 2020
Threads
22
Messages
2,205
Reaction score
3,406
Location
Here and There
Vehicle(s)
2019 Lariat Supercrew 2WD
Occupation
Transient
This thread is an example of the value of joining this forum.

In spite of our orphaned generation of truck, there are members presenting solutions to manufacturer shortcomings for those of us who will keep our trucks beyond the mfr warranty and enjoy driving/using it.
Sponsored

 
OP
OP
fusseli

fusseli

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 11, 2019
Threads
23
Messages
625
Reaction score
968
Location
Colorado
Vehicle(s)
2019 Lariat FX4 White Platinum Tri-Coat
Occupation
EE
Vehicle Showcase
1
There are threads from others with broken sway bar links, just checkout the “similar threads” at the end of the page. It does appear to be correlated with lift/level kit in the front. I have ESP but did not want to fight the dealer about it and wanted to upgrade rather than replace with oem.

I wish it was a little more obvious as to what the ideal bar link size is with various levels of lift. The links attach to the upper knuckle near the UCA so the links do not change in height with the lift meaning the sway bar should just “rotate down” in the unflexed position. I think.

I believe mine broke with the front left suspension compressed while the front right unloaded quickly to full travel dropping down a large rock step. The sudden max torque on the bar broke the plastic link. It’s an obvious weak point and an easy upgrade.

The links are easy to swap one side at a time. No need to have both wheels off at the same time. The shop manual also does not have any special instructions like load the hubs first, it’s just take the two bolts off and install is reverse of removal.
 

COblue

Well-Known Member
First Name
Ross
Joined
Jan 11, 2021
Threads
7
Messages
173
Reaction score
421
Location
SLC, Utah
Vehicle(s)
Blue Ranger Lariat, bone stock
Bent my front rear endlink and the bushing popped off, probably due to the fox 2.0 lift. Replaced with he $25 Rock Auto Mevotec MK80252.

The plastic end links suck and just another example of Ford cheaping out on the ranger.

Side note, anyone ever flattened their leaf springs? Asking for a friend...

IMG_20240919_122050.jpg
 

fjwlobo

Well-Known Member
First Name
Fred
Joined
Dec 4, 2020
Threads
2
Messages
296
Reaction score
1,142
Location
Brooklyn Park, Maryland
Vehicle(s)
2020 Ranger Lariat FX4 SCREW
Bent my front rear endlink and the bushing popped off, probably due to the fox 2.0 lift. Replaced with he $25 Rock Auto Mevotec MK80252.

The plastic end links suck and just another example of Ford cheaping out on the ranger.

Side note, anyone ever flattened their leaf springs? Asking for a friend...

IMG_20240919_122050.jpg
I believe that @Fitzmotor mentioned that he flattened his to drop the rear some.
 

Fitzmotor

Gold Sponsor
First Name
Mike
Joined
May 6, 2021
Threads
24
Messages
1,388
Reaction score
5,835
Location
Saugus
Vehicle(s)
2021 Ranger Tremor, 75 crewcab F350, 65 Mustang
Occupation
Retired from Honda Racing.
Yeah, dropped the back 1.5", had the springs de-arched by a local spring shop, with shorter bump stops, you may have to adjust the pinon angle if you get a driveline vibration.

I prefer to level a truck by dropping the rear, vs raising the front, I don't tow much or carry heavy loads, so it's fine.

I have to load a 130# 9kw ebike, the Ranger was actually higher than my leveled old Raptor, needed to drop the rear, the Ranger is very difficult to lower, no room for shorter shackles, only spring changes, but little room with the bump stops.

Posting for a friend?
 


OP
OP
fusseli

fusseli

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 11, 2019
Threads
23
Messages
625
Reaction score
968
Location
Colorado
Vehicle(s)
2019 Lariat FX4 White Platinum Tri-Coat
Occupation
EE
Vehicle Showcase
1
Bent my front rear endlink and the bushing popped off, probably due to the fox 2.0 lift. Replaced with he $25 Rock Auto Mevotec MK80252.

The plastic end links suck and just another example of Ford cheaping out on the ranger.

Side note, anyone ever flattened their leaf springs? Asking for a friend...

IMG_20240919_122050.jpg
Now how did you do that without breaking the plastic like I did ??

And yeah even the Mevotech Supreme is a big upgrade from stock, as your comparison shows!
 

WOADKIL

Well-Known Member
First Name
Wil
Joined
Mar 25, 2021
Threads
46
Messages
583
Reaction score
1,723
Location
Cyber Orange County, CA
Vehicle(s)
2021 Ranger XLT Supercrew Cab FX4
Occupation
RETIRED ENGINEER
Just swapped plastic Ford links to Mevotech. Was fun removing the stock top bolt with the nut sunken in the UCA and internal hex drive bolt, but replacement was much easier.
 

LawnMM

Well-Known Member
First Name
Rich
Joined
Oct 9, 2023
Threads
9
Messages
945
Reaction score
3,031
Location
Colorado
Vehicle(s)
'23 Ranger Tremor
Anybody get instructions for greasing the ball joints with their Mevotechs? I got two boxes and nada ??‍♂

Looks like a regular zerk fitting which is great but every time I've seen those I've seen different instructions with them.

Have a reloading press with some and the instructions are basically add a tiny bit and if it starts popping out other holes in the press it's too much ??
 
OP
OP
fusseli

fusseli

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 11, 2019
Threads
23
Messages
625
Reaction score
968
Location
Colorado
Vehicle(s)
2019 Lariat FX4 White Platinum Tri-Coat
Occupation
EE
Vehicle Showcase
1
Anybody get instructions for greasing the ball joints with their Mevotechs? I got two boxes and nada ??‍♂

Looks like a regular zerk fitting which is great but every time I've seen those I've seen different instructions with them.

Have a reloading press with some and the instructions are basically add a tiny bit and if it starts popping out other holes in the press it's too much ??
Yeah there is a "pressure relief valve" on the rubber housing that will start gushing when the bushing is full. Just wipe off the excess when it stops. This is also how you "flush" the bushing with fresh grease the next time.
 

LawnMM

Well-Known Member
First Name
Rich
Joined
Oct 9, 2023
Threads
9
Messages
945
Reaction score
3,031
Location
Colorado
Vehicle(s)
'23 Ranger Tremor
Yeah there is a "pressure relief valve" on the rubber housing that will start gushing when the bushing is full. Just wipe off the excess when it stops. This is also how you "flush" the bushing with fresh grease the next time.
Easy enough, thanks buddy
 

COblue

Well-Known Member
First Name
Ross
Joined
Jan 11, 2021
Threads
7
Messages
173
Reaction score
421
Location
SLC, Utah
Vehicle(s)
Blue Ranger Lariat, bone stock
Now how did you do that without breaking the plastic like I did ??

And yeah even the Mevotech Supreme is a big upgrade from stock, as your comparison shows!
No idea, surprised after a decent amount of hard offroading honestly
 

COblue

Well-Known Member
First Name
Ross
Joined
Jan 11, 2021
Threads
7
Messages
173
Reaction score
421
Location
SLC, Utah
Vehicle(s)
Blue Ranger Lariat, bone stock
Yeah, dropped the back 1.5", had the springs de-arched by a local spring shop, with shorter bump stops, you may have to adjust the pinon angle if you get a driveline vibration.

I prefer to level a truck by dropping the rear, vs raising the front, I don't tow much or carry heavy loads, so it's fine.

I have to load a 130# 9kw ebike, the Ranger was actually higher than my leveled old Raptor, needed to drop the rear, the Ranger is very difficult to lower, no room for shorter shackles, only spring changes, but little room with the bump stops.

Posting for a friend?
Nice, I flattened mine a bit by towing heavy and hitting bumps on the highway ?

Kinda tough to see, but it looks a little less like a banana and a little more wavy almost. Not flat, but we'll see how it goes.....

PXL_20240923_200748267.jpg


PXL_20240923_200805083.webp
 

Fitzmotor

Gold Sponsor
First Name
Mike
Joined
May 6, 2021
Threads
24
Messages
1,388
Reaction score
5,835
Location
Saugus
Vehicle(s)
2021 Ranger Tremor, 75 crewcab F350, 65 Mustang
Occupation
Retired from Honda Racing.
Nice, I flattened mine a bit by towing heavy and hitting bumps on the highway ?

Kinda tough to see, but it looks a little less like a banana and a little more wavy almost. Not flat, but we'll see how it goes.....
They settle into a W shape, especially the more loaded it is.
 

COblue

Well-Known Member
First Name
Ross
Joined
Jan 11, 2021
Threads
7
Messages
173
Reaction score
421
Location
SLC, Utah
Vehicle(s)
Blue Ranger Lariat, bone stock
They settle into a W shape, especially the more loaded it is.
Cool, first truck so I've never dealt with leaf springs. Just noticed it's a little different from when I did the install.

It's relatively unloaded in the photo, so I'll just keep an eye on it. Pulling a boat and loading the bed with lead didn't help I'm sure.
Sponsored

 
 








Top