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

[Racket]

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

 

[fusseli]

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]

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...

 

[fjwlobo]

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...

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

 

[Fitzmotor]

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?

 

[fusseli]

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...

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]

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]

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 ??

 

[fusseli]

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]

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]

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]

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.....

 

[Fitzmotor]

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]

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