Suspension bushing replacement
Question:
> My old ‘96 is starting to make a lot of rattles, and besides replacing > the shocks, I’m thinking about maybe doing some bushing replacements > (especially in the rear). Is this a job that can be done in the > driveway lying under the car, or do I need a lift? What’s the general > level of difficulty? Any special tools needed? Is there any trick to > it or anything to watch out for? What about the bushings…is > polyurethane the way to go? So many questions… > Thanks in advance for your input.
Depends. Sway bar bushings are pretty straight forward and require no special tools – just a lot of strength and dexterity. I’ve done this on all my rigs (well, most of them), along with a sway bar upgrade. If you’re talking about spring bushings, you’ll need some hefty tools, jack stands and jacks. I’ve not done these before. Poly bushings are great, although I’ve heard reports of complaints from the noise. I use general purpose bearing grease and have no complaints of noise, although it’s hard to hear much above the Borla anyway, except the Alpine! 
Response:
Wow, sounds like you’re driving my ‘95!! The sway bar upgrades were well worth it – just make sure the dealer doesn’t do a bonehead move and replace your *aftermarket* poly-and-stainless sway bar linkages with the factory POS’s to satisfy the recall that never got processed (and not tell you about it! ;) JH 95 EB – 186K miles Houghton, MI – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Depends. Sway bar bushings are pretty straight forward and require no > special tools – just a lot of strength and dexterity. I’ve done this on > all my rigs (well, most of them), along with a sway bar upgrade. > If you’re talking about spring bushings, you’ll need some hefty tools, > jack stands and jacks. I’ve not done these before. > Poly bushings are great, although I’ve heard reports of complaints from > the noise. I use general purpose bearing grease and have no complaints > of noise, although it’s hard to hear much above the Borla anyway, except > the Alpine!
Response:
> Wow, sounds like you’re driving my ‘95!! The sway bar upgrades were > well worth it – just make sure the dealer doesn’t do a bonehead move > and replace your *aftermarket* poly-and-stainless sway bar linkages > with the factory POS’s to satisfy the recall that never got processed > (and not tell you about it! ;)
Yep, they keep sending me reminders to replace the bushings, which I promptly ignore. The dealer is no longer allowed to work on my truck, however. Of the two local dealers I’ve taken my truck to, BOTH try to sell me a new vehicle when I’m in for service. We just bought a new Honda and it was a great experience. I suspect, once the Explorer dies, that it will be the last Ford I ever own. Too bad. Zam
Response:
My old ‘96 is starting to make a lot of rattles, and besides replacing the shocks, I’m thinking about maybe doing some bushing replacements (especially in the rear). Is this a job that can be done in the driveway lying under the car, or do I need a lift? What’s the general level of difficulty? Any special tools needed? Is there any trick to it or anything to watch out for? What about the bushings…is polyurethane the way to go? So many questions… Thanks in advance for your input.
Response:
> Because the dealerships tried to sell you a new vehicle? >Zam
It was HOW they tried to sell me a new vehicle. It’s a long story, but they were not very tactful. Just plain rude. The techs I’ve encountered are not that good either.
Response:
>> Wow, sounds like you’re driving my ‘95!! The sway bar upgrades were > well worth it – just make sure the dealer doesn’t do a bonehead move > and replace your *aftermarket* poly-and-stainless sway bar linkages > with the factory POS’s to satisfy the recall that never got processed > (and not tell you about it! ;) >Yep, they keep sending me reminders to replace the bushings, which I >promptly ignore. The dealer is no longer allowed to work on my truck, >however. Of the two local dealers I’ve taken my truck to, BOTH try to sell >me a new vehicle when I’m in for service.
Gee, I wonder why they would do that? 
>We just bought a new Honda and it was a great experience. I suspect, once >the Explorer dies, that it will be the last Ford I ever own. Too bad.
Because the dealerships tried to sell you a new vehicle? >Zam
– Bill Replace "g" with "a" Experience is what you get when you expected something else.
Response:
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