Sway links replacement

[nicmck1055]

So after calling ford and being told they have no idea why my vehicle has this extra bracket attaching the sway link to the strut on the drivers side, we have determined the sway links are not oem size they are 10 and 7/8 inches. The passenger side has an adjustable sway link and attached to the strut without and extra bracket but the drivers side had this extra bracket that seems to be used to extend the length of the sway link to the sway bar. So my question is does anyone know why my sway links need to be longer than the factory parts? I was never told this vehicle had a lift kit on it or anything, it has the standard factory wheels and tires. I will attach all the pictures, we are just trying to figure out the best way to fix the sway link properly. We can not find another bracket like the one that was on there. Any help is appreciated!

 

[Dude]

Did you ask the dealership the cost to install the factory parts?

 

[nicmck1055]

Did you ask the dealership the cost to install the factory parts?

This is not a factory part that’s the problem. They do not have this bracket. They don’t know where it came from.

 

[Dude]

Exactly … I meant get rid of all of the non-factory parts and put back to factory parts - did the dealership provide a quote for that? Obviously someone had modified the vehicle before you purchased it right.

 

[nicmck1055]

Exactly … I meant get rid of all of the non-factory parts and put back to factory parts - did the dealership provide a quote for that? Obviously someone had modified the vehicle before you purchased it right.

I’m trying not to have ford do they work. We know the parts guy at our local ford and buy the parts from them at cost, but don’t want to pay ford for the labor cost. When we had the tire off last we didn’t even bother looking to see if it had a lift kit on it, we thought everything looked factory. But we’re supposed to look at it this week to see.

 

[Mark S.]

If I were to guess I'd say this vehicle had a lift installed at some point. Some of the lift kits include longer links. It's quite possible someone uninstalled the parts that actually provide the lift while leaving behind these links. I think @Dude is on the right track--if you don't plan on lifting the vehicle you should replace all these parts with OE stuff.

 

[nicmck1055]

If I were to guess I'd say this vehicle had a lift installed at some point. Some of the lift kits include longer links. It's quite possible someone uninstalled the parts that actually provide the lift while leaving behind these links. I think @Dude is on the right track--if you don't plan on lifting the vehicle you should replace all these parts with OE stuff.

The OE sway links are not long enough, the OE links are not adjustable like the ones that are on the vehicle.

 

[Quashish]

The OE sway links are not long enough, the OE links are not adjustable like the ones that are on the vehicle.

If you haven't taken off the side still connected with the aftermarket link the opposite side will not flex enough to put the shorter OEM link on. They need to match.

You need to make sure all other suspension components are factory also. Not that hard to inspect them and see they have fomoco on them somewhere.

Why is this a new thread?

 

[Mark S.]

The OE sway links are not long enough, the OE links are not adjustable like the ones that are on the vehicle.

Then it's almost certain some kind of lift is installed. There are a few different ways of lifting a unibody vehicle. Most use pucks that install at the top of the strut tower. There are a few that just use taller springs.

 

[nicmck1055]

If you haven't taken off the side still connected with the aftermarket link the opposite side will not flex enough to put the shorter OEM link on. They need to match.

You need to make sure all other suspension components are factory also. Not that hard to inspect them and see they have fomoco on them somewhere.

Why is this a new thread?

I was just asking if anyone could identify why I would have a bracket on one side that drops the sway link lower. You by no means had to answer my thread. No need to be negative when someone is just asking if anyone else has experienced this.

 

[Quashish]

I was just asking if anyone could identify why I would have a bracket on one side that drops the sway link lower. You by no means had to answer my thread. No need to be negative when someone is just asking if anyone else has experienced this.

There's been answers for your questions

I'm wondering why you made a separate thread for the same topic 1 day apart.

Again they need to match

 

[nicmck1055]

Then it's almost certain some kind of lift is installed. There are a few different ways of lifting a unibody vehicle. Most use pucks that install at the top of the strut tower. There are a few that just use taller springs.

We will be looking for the strut spacer in the next few days. We didn’t even think to look last time because we by no means thought this was lifted.

 

[nicmck1055]

I'm wondering why you made a separate thread for the same topic 1 day apart.

Again they need to match

I don’t frequent this or use it a lot I don’t know the rules just asking a question. I didn’t know I would be policed on here. Sorry it’s was such an inconvenience for you.

 

[Quashish]

Just weird that's all. Seems like more effort than to just update your original post and keep the topic organized.

 

[Dude]

Just weird that's all. Seems like more effort than to just update your original post and keep the topic organized.

Good point … link to the original post for others to see:
https://www.broncosportforum.com/forum/threads/broken-sway-bar-upper-bracket.13347/post-219839

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