2002 Winstar stabilizer link bar question

[Black_Blade]

From some reading on the forums here, I believe I will need to replace my stabilizer link bars..for I get the clunking noise going over bumps and rattling noise as well for I can hear it when travelling at slow speed with the windows down. Any bump in the road and it clunks and rattles like a tank.

I just took it down the road going quite slow and twisted the steering wheel from 11 to 1 o clock position, to set up a swaying motion. I can hear the clunking in both sides this way.

My question...when you get replacement link bars, do you need to get some kind of bushing pack as well for each end of the link, or is it all one unit?

Is there any exploded diagram of this assembly? It seems straight forward to remove and replace, but we all know that what SEEMS straightforward...

[catvents]

The replacement link are assemby units and you do not have to do anything with the bushings. Some aftermarket products ( like Moog) are suppied with grease fitting, so you can grease them as a regular maintenance. Take a look on the following link:
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php, just follow for your Windstar 2003 and go to suspension parts then "stabilizer bar link" for picture.

[Black_Blade]

Originally Posted by catvents

The replacement link are assemby units and you do not have to do anything with the bushings. Some aftermarket products ( like Moog) are suppied with grease fitting, so you can grease them as a regular maintenance. Take a look on the following link:
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php, just follow for your Windstar 2003 and go to suspension parts then "stabilizer bar link" for picture.

Thanks for that link Catvents...I had called a local part shop here and they gave me a price of $60 and change for one... I put two into the shopping cart on that site and entered my shipping info and the total was $89!!

[northern piper]

the clunk you hear is likely due to sway bar bushings which attach to the frame. When they get worn you'll hear a noticeable clunk. If they're original, do them at the same time as the links. They're a quick and easy, inexpensive job. The first time I did them it was about 40 minutes per side. You could easily do the job in about 15 minutes per side.

[1320mustangracer]

Stabilizer Bar Links are a weak spot on the Windstars. ebay had them for 45 a pair. I know when I did warrantys for FoMoCo these links were replaced alot .There was a TSB for clunks.

[Black_Blade]

Originally Posted by northern piper

the clunk you hear is likely due to sway bar bushings which attach to the frame. When they get worn you'll hear a noticeable clunk. If they're original, do them at the same time as the links. They're a quick and easy, inexpensive job. The first time I did them it was about 40 minutes per side. You could easily do the job in about 15 minutes per side.

Was just checking my Haynes manual for this bushing replacement, and it sounds a bit involved...having to have two floor jacks to slowly lower the sub frame to get clearance to get at the stab bar bushing bolts. I got 4 jack stands, but no floor jack (it grew legs several years ago...)

So how can you tell if the problem is the stab bushings or the stab link bars? I guess its a case of just replace it all then you are sure...

[Black_Blade]

Originally Posted by 1320mustangracer

There was a TSB for clunks.

I tried finding some info on that TSB, but not alot of info. Is this something that Ford will repair for you?

[northern piper]

Are you in NB Ontario?

Regarding assessing the stabilizer bar bushings, just look at them. If you can see space around the stabilizer bar and the black bushing is deformed, oval-ed or you can shake the stabilizer bar within the bushing than it's time to replace. If they are oem then it's certainly time. I'd be betting it's the passenger side (as that's where the potholes seem to always be).

The job isn't that bad. I've done it successfully with a bottle jack and scissor jack and a couple of jack stands. If you don't have these tools, you'd better get them. Buy good quality, SAFE ones and they'll do you for life.