Sway Bar End Links and Bushings

L

libtech

Member
Gents and Ladies,

I've got some nasty clunking on my front drivers side. Went undernieght tonight and the bottom connection on the end link is moving, I figure that would be the culprit? I gather they both could use replacing so I'll probably pick a couple up. I do have some questions was hoping everyone could help me out with.

1.) Is it simply the two bolts on the end links to remove and replace, one on top and one on bottom? Dont need to press them out or anything? I was just going to jack up the car on one side at a time, take off the wheel and replace the links.

2.) Is there any tension I have to watch for or can I simple un-bolt and bolt on the new ones?
3.) Know what the tourqe levels are for the bolts?

4.) Are there bushings on the front sway bar that I should replace now?

5) Is the back the same thing?

Thanks everyone.
 
the whole things is pretty simple. and i reccomend going to the 2002 ford escape front endlinks for the front. they fit just right and they are quite an upgrade from the weak stock ones. plus they are about half the price.

it is just the 2 bolts. they might be a b**** if they are rusty. but you could always cut them off. then just take it out and put the new ones in.

i would replace the sway bar bushings, but mine you the front is a lot more difficult to access the bushings than the rear.

and the back is pretty much the same idea, but just get the stock endlinks, as there is no found secondary option.

best of luck!
 
Ford Escape end links hey? Does it change the ride at all?

Also any idea on the tourqe spec for the bolts?
 
just tighten them literally as much as you can.

and yes the 2002 ford escape front endlinks made by moog. they tighten up the front suspension a bit, and they wont break as easy as the stock ones
 
I went by Napa Auto Parts and picked up both the Protege 5 and Ford Escape End Links. They are supposed to be made my Moog. The Ford Escape ones do indeed look beefier and have the greese zerks on them, however the escape ones measure about 1/4" to 1/2" shorter I believe then the Protege set. Wondering if this will cause any issues, wear and tear etc?
 
nope. i run them on my car and it tightens up the handling! dont worry about it. you wont regret it!
 
I installed the escape endlinks last week, no difference in handling and it was such a pain in the ass to get the rusted bolts out it took me all day. The escape links offer no real advantage other than being larger, but they are cheaper, grease-able, and made by Moog.
 
I just recently replaced my stock front end links with the raybestos escape endlink (they have grease fittings!).

I definitely noticed a litter increase in stiffness, but a huge difference in traction when I'm really pushing hard. I can't say enough good things about it.
Otherwise, when driven normally, my girlfriend can't tell the difference.
Truely, I can't account for the difference between the escape and regular endlinks. Mine were pretty gone when I replaced them in the first place.

There are two methods for getting to those rusty bolts.

1.) impact gun
2.) lots of penetrating oil and a 1.5-2' breaker bar.

I really recommend the first.
 
are there really stiffer then stocks? or were they just stiffer then the old one you had on?

the real question is ar they stiffer when compared to the stock new one, and not stock used and worn ones.
 
wow, i came in here to find some other info, and stumbled upon this...
i'm sooo doing this tonight! i have plenty of twisty roads where i live...and since my other car is a miata, i'm always looking for ways to make the protg tighter... although i know no comparisson between the two :)
 
just curious, why not just by the moog stock replacement pt# K80258 instead of the ford escape links? Wouldn't it still be more reliable than stock because it's a moog product anyway? I only ask b/c I have to replace mine, and I'm just curious about the choice to go with the Escape end links, over stock replacements.
 
They just explained the Escape ones are stiffer, giving you a more controlled ride.
 
and how did you feel about yours when you did it?..................................was it worth it, and did you have any installation issues?
 
no installation issues. just put a jack under the knuckle to adjust the height of the strut when installing. and absolutely worth it. my front end is sooo stiff.
 
I always recommend blue loctite.

Im happy to see that my discovery is being put to good use.
=)
 
Thanks for the great thread. I just installed the 2002 Ford Escape front sway bar end links (Moog brand) and they are a great upgrade. The part is much beefier than the OE part, it has grease fittings, and was cheaper; also, the steering is tighter. Instead of the terrible OE design of the link stud with the allen inside of it, there's a hex nut next to the dust boot you can hold with a wrench while tightening down the link.

The only problem I had is that the link instructions stated to install the grease fittings after installing the links, but the upper fitting wouldn't fit because it was too close to the strut perch. If you're going to install this part you might consider installing the upper grease fitting before installing the link.

For anyone planning to replace your struts, you should buy all new sway bar end links while you're at it. The ones I pulled off were totally shot, and I had to cut the end links off the sway bar because the nut was absolutely frozen.
 
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