Just snapped an end link

[Eddie1965]

As the title reads, I just snapped a rear sway bar end link. I have a Hellwig sway bar and Bilstein shocks. It happened just pulling into a parking lot.

Has anyone upgraded their end links after installing the shocks or sway bar? If so, do you have any recommendations?

Thanks,

 

[Deadman]

Are you talking end links?

 

[Vipersinu2]

Shocks and swaybars should not interfere with tierod end.

Lucky you were not on the highway.

Check with the dealer, get that documented.

There might be a problem with the metal.

 

[Eddie1965]

Are you talking end links?

Sorry, yes, it was an end link. I just changed the tie rods on my other car and had that on my mind.

 

[5280tunage]

We've been talking in several threads about how weak and crappy the end links are. I too have front and rear hellwig bars and am definitely concerned about the end links. First, they simply look weak, second, they are metal on metal.

 

[Fozzy]

Make some new ones.

https://www.energysuspensionparts.com/universal-sway-bar-end-links.asp


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[5280tunage]

Looked at all their parts and contacted them directly, didn't seem like they had what we needed to replace the crappy end links.

 

[wakeboarder]

Shocks and swaybars should not interfere with tierod end.

Lucky you were not on the highway.

Check with the dealer, get that documented.

There might be a problem with the metal.

If I was Ford, I would deny warranty on this. Stiffer sway bar would mean more stress on the end links.

 

[5280tunage]

Yeah, I think they likely would. But honestly, that tells me the design specs are so close to a break point, that they are weaker than we thought. The heavier bars obviously create more stress, but loading a vehicle with a bunch weight (especially say high up like on the roof) can increase the stress put on a completely factory setup. If anyone can find some stronger end links that will work, would love to know.

 

[Deadman]

I'm ready to buy spares to take on my long road trips now that you guys are breaking these...... crap....

 

[Fozzy]

Looked at all their parts and contacted them directly, didn't seem like they had what we needed to replace the crappy end links.

To buy, I would just order the ends and weld them to the length I need them. Wouldn’t take anything to do. Or buy the brackets to make them a dog bone style. That would probably be a stronger link. If I build a set I would also make them a quick disconnect for off roading. If the bar is that much stronger then the off road ability has been cut drastically.


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[Yupster Dog]

Be very carful if you make the end links stronger, you could send the stress further down the line and you may break something way more expensive. I think Deadman has got the idea buy extra end links until you can figure out how to fix without breaking something that you can't drive home.

 

[wakeboarder]

If I was Ford, I would deny warranty on this. Stiffer sway bar would mean more stress on the end links.

Thinking about it further, the failure could be more assembly related than design related. The last picture posted by somebody of a broken end link looked to be a torsional failure. The manual is very specific that you are not to use an impact to loosen or tighten the end links. Was the correct torque applied during the assembly? Under or over-torque can both causes significant issues with bolted joints. Especially ones that go from tension to compression as end links would.

 

[Nate2020KR]

Rock Auto says Moog #K750052 fits the rear. Has anyone verified that it would work?

 

[Deadman]

end links are something you can screw up on install. Attention needs to be paid to the angle of the links when you tighten them down. I'm sure over torquing them would be bad also. I used hand tools because I wanted to be able to get them off again if needed in case I didn't like the new bars.....

 

[Eddie1965]

Just ordered a couple of stock end links; let's see how low long these last.

 

[Nate2020KR]

end links are something you can screw up on install. Attention needs to be paid to the angle of the links when you tighten them down. I'm sure over torquing them would be bad also. I used hand tools because I wanted to be able to get them off again if needed in case I didn't like the new bars.....

I agree. They look like they might be cast, maybe even pot metal. Over tightening them will probably be a bad thing. Who knows they might even be single use like torque the yield fasteners. The Moog ones look to be steel which would be stronger. We could see if PMF Suspension could make us some. They make some nice adjustable ones for Super Duty trucks. I have been lazy and haven't installed my bars yet.

 

[Eddie1965]

I agree. They look like they might be cast, maybe even pot metal. Over tightening them will probably be a bad thing. Who knows they might even be single use like torque the yield fasteners. The Moog ones look to be steel which would be stronger. We could see if PMF Suspension could make us some. They make some nice adjustable ones for Super Duty trucks. I have been lazy and haven't installed my bars yet.

Definitely cast.

 

[Expedition Dave]

Sorry :-(

All American cars and trucks are built for today, not tomorrow.

And Ford vomiting all over your warranty even if it is clearly their design flaw for the simplest mods may depend on your dealer. But, this is one of the reasons I have been so hesitant to change even tire height and ride height by 1.5 inches (I have had problems in the past with Ford/Chev/Dodge dealers on vehicle just getting them to fix what was clearly their issues--I once had to produce a PI (preliminary Investigation number) to show it was a known Chevrolet issue that I only knew of from a particular forum to force their hand).

Ford barely makes the best American vehicles, and if they can save .0001 cent per part, they will do it.

 

[Deadman]

I swapped my sway bars and I wouldn't expect Ford to cover my end links. Hell, I swapped in my own parts that are breaking their end links. Why should they pay?