Sway bar bushing-hangers welded to bushing metal wrapping.

[Rockettman]

I went to replace my sway bar bushings, and the metal wrap that in cases the rubber bushing, is welded to the bracket that mounts to the frame. It’s a factory weld.
Are they all like this? How are others replacing these bushings? Are people cutting the welds off?

[fastblackmerc]

I went to replace my sway bar bushings, and the metal wrap that in cases the rubber bushing, is welded to the bracket that mounts to the frame. It’s a factory weld.
Are they all like this? How are others replacing these bushings? Are people cutting the welds off?

I've never seen the front or rear bushing retainers welded on. All have been secured with bolts & nut (2 per side in the front and 1 per side in the rear).

[justbob]

It is certainly not a factory weld.


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[Ambitious1]

I actually just upgraded my sway bars to Addco front and back. No welds. All bolts and nuts like fastblackmerc said. Do you have pictures of what you have?

[Turbov6Bryan]

For the front sway bar center bushings, those have nut zerts that are in the frame. Remove the bolts and the threads stay in the frame. Only thing i can think of is the sway bar end links at the control arm.... those end links will need to be replaced. Rear is just bolt in and go... Shoot us a picture or two.

[Rockettman]

I know it’s the weirdest thing. But yes, where the u-shaped hanger wraps up to the top, they are welded to a metal cylinder that circles the rubber bushing.
ugh. I should’ve taken a picture. I don’t have any idea how they’d come off. The rubber bushing is a solid piece too - no split to remove. It’s as if the entire bar would need to be replaced. I’ve never seen that in 40 years under vehicles. (Can’t even think of an aftermarket that would design that...not that I even believe that it is aftermarket).

[Mr. Man]

Are you the original owner? I ask as that is the only way the bushing would be a factory surprise. Based on you description I suspect someone used replacement bushings and the holes didn't line up so instead of getting the correct parts they just welded it in place. Get the correct parts and go at the welds with a cold chisel. Bolt new parts back on.

[Comin' in Hot]

The OEM front bushings were molded directly to the swaybar and the brackets. The only way to remove a bushing is to cut the bracket. If you buy replacement bushings from Ford they will be more of the standard style with the flat side that mounts up against the frame. You will also have to buy new brackets which are more of the conventional style (U-shaped). The problem is there’s no way to keep the sway bar for moving side to side, the later panther sway bars actually had humps manufactured into them. You could use swaybar locks, but no matter what I tried mine still moves around a little bit and I wish I would’ve never cut off the original bushings.

[fastblackmerc]

My original bushings are not molded on the bar nor the brackets. Original owner.

[justbob]

Bought mine a year old and same. 2 bolts and swap the bushing from what I recall.


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[Rick-n-Miami]

I've been having an issue lately with an Addco front sway bar. When I make a sharp turn (either direction), there's a quick "knock" noise. We've traced it down to the sway bar moving side to side ever so little and then hitting the TCE Wilwood brake caliper mounts. We've yet to come up with a fix for this. My latest thinking is to grind down the section of the sway bar that's hitting, but I'm not sure how wise that is. Either way, the bushings aren't holding it in place effectively.

[fastblackmerc]

I've been having an issue lately with an Addco front sway bar. When I make a sharp turn (either direction), there's a quick "knock" noise. We've traced it down to the sway bar moving side to side ever so little and then hitting the TCE Wilwood brake caliper mounts. We've yet to come up with a fix for this. My latest thinking is to grind down the section of the sway bar that's hitting, but I'm not sure how wise that is. Either way, the bushings aren't holding it in place effectively.

You need these is the correct inside diameter.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Howe-23700-Sway-Bar-Collar-1-1-8-from-Anodized-Billet-Aluminum-Universal/233583605260?epid=1230628421&hash=item3662aaf60c:g:lTQAAOSw mjZet50k

[musclemerc]

In the past a call to ADDCO would get you a set of billet locking collars for free.

Might still be worth a try!

[MyBlackBeasts]

In the past a call to ADDCO would get you a set of billet locking collars for free.

Might still be worth a try!

^^^This^^^
Mine came with a pair in the box with the bar's hardware bag

[Rick-n-Miami]

Wow! I'm very happy to learn of these. I've contacted Addco to see if they can supply the correct size (1-1/4"). If not, I'll try one of these.

Thanks!


You need these is the correct inside diameter.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Howe-23700-Sway-Bar-Collar-1-1-8-from-Anodized-Billet-Aluminum-Universal/233583605260?epid=1230628421&hash=item3662aaf60c:g:lTQAAOSw mjZet50k

[Rockettman]

Oh, and no. I’m not the original owner. But it really doesn’t look like an aftermarket.

[Rockettman]

The OEM front bushings were molded directly to the swaybar and the brackets. The only way to remove a bushing is to cut the bracket. If you buy replacement bushings from Ford they will be more of the standard style with the flat side that mounts up against the frame. You will also have to buy new brackets which are more of the conventional style (U-shaped). The problem is there’s no way to keep the sway bar for moving side to side, the later panther sway bars actually had humps manufactured into them. You could use swaybar locks, but no matter what I tried mine still moves around a little bit and I wish I would’ve never cut off the original bushings.
Right there. Just like mine.
Thank god it’s not just mine. (Not that it’s great..but...)

Question...are both your 2003 & 2004 set up like that? Maybe it’s a “year-thing”?

[Comin' in Hot]

Right there. Just like mine.
Thank god it’s not just mine. (Not that it’s great..but...)

Question...are both your 2003 & 2004 set up like that? Maybe it’s a “year-thing”?

Definitely my 04, my 03 had aftermarket sway bars when I got it. But I swear I’ve seen it on the 3 other 03 Marauders I’ve had. The easiest way to tell is if the bushing is completely round versus flat in one side.

[Rockettman]

Definitely my 04, my 03 had aftermarket sway bars when I got it. But I swear I’ve seen it on the 3 other 03 Marauders I’ve had. The easiest way to tell is if the bushing is completely round versus flat in one side.
Ya, my bushings are completely round. The replacements I bought are the “usual” flat-one-side.

so does anyone out there have any brackets for sale that’ll fit my 28mm thick sway bar (and my new replacement MOOG bushings]? So that I can replace my bushings? (Able to ship to Toronto, Canada).

[Comin' in Hot]

Ya, my bushings are completely round. The replacements I bought are the “usual” flat-one-side.

so does anyone out there have any brackets for sale that’ll fit my 28mm thick sway bar (and my new replacement MOOG bushings]? So that I can replace my bushings? (Able to ship to Toronto, Canada).

Ford sells them. You’re also going to need swaybar locks.

[Rockettman]

I’ve never had to add sway bar-locks to anything I’ve owned before.
Where does someone look for/buy those? Good ones. Being in Canada, aftermarket places are tough..but I’ll still take any suggestions.

[fastblackmerc]

I’ve never had to add sway bar-locks to anything I’ve owned before.
Where does someone look for/buy those? Good ones. Being in Canada, aftermarket places are tough..but I’ll still take any suggestions.

See post #12.

[Rockettman]

See post #12.
Right on. Thanks FBM. :beer:

[crouse]

While changing my struts this weekend, one of the studs that holds the front sway bar to the frame now spins freely. It's like the weld on the stud broke. Maybe someone had the same thing happen and MacGyvered a fix like RocketMan is talking about? My sway bar is now loose on the one side and not sure how to fix it.

[Comin' in Hot]

While changing my struts this weekend, one of the studs that holds the front sway bar to the frame now spins freely. It's like the weld on the stud broke. Maybe someone had the same thing happen and MacGyvered a fix like RocketMan is talking about? My sway bar is now loose on the one side and not sure how to fix it.

You could remove the bolt, part 3w1z-5e490-aa.

[MyBlackBeasts]

https://www.tascaparts.com/oem-parts/ford-suspension-stabilizer-bar-bracket-bolt-3w1z5e490aa?origin=pla&gclid=Cj0KCQjww_f2BRC-ARIsAP3zarFDIYlHvSplyI5LTEoQuk 9fpUTzOHqx_1lA4nC580jQ5qY4FbM2 s-gaAlysEALw_wcB

[Cobrar96]

Just saw this post because I ran into the same problem on my 2003 Marauder. I am rebuilding the front suspension on the car and I went to replace the bushings on the front sway bar. The brackets and rubber bushing are solid all the way around the bar. There is no way to take the bushings or bracket off the sway bar without cutting it. I am replacing the front sway bar with an Adtco front sway bar. Hope this helps anybody in the future.

[fastblackmerc]

Here is a post from when I upgraded the Addco rear sway bar bushings to greaseable ones.

https://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?93480-Upgrading-to-greaseable-sway-bar-bushings

[azgolfrat]

My 03 MM same way - only way to remove the bushings is to cut the bracket...which I have not done.

[Glenn-ho]

Anybody come up with another part # to replace the discontinued front sway bar bushing mount bracket bolt 3W1Z-SE490-AA? Found two other part numbers that look the same 6W1Z-SE490-AA AND N806729-S436?

[fastblackmerc]

Anybody come up with another part # to replace the discontinued front sway bar bushing mount bracket bolt 3W1Z-SE490-AA? Found two other part numbers that look the same 6W1Z-SE490-AA AND N806729-S436?

Local hardware store. Grade 8 bolt.

[Glenn-ho]

No way to use a grade 8 bolt since it has no access to the mount area for the sway bar bushing mount holes in frame rail. They are not a normal hole. Made for a special clip that has a bolt attached. https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/361629519_10223921206602197_43 39162168035013083_n.jpg?_nc_ca t=102&cb=99be929b-3346023f&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=dbeb18&_nc_ohc=GWgovJk_WUEAX9NT3ME&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&oh=00_AfA5b6FDefLtmcz3zsCZzG3z rcGmVwni5s8ZTLcQ19Vq3A&oe=64BB9810