Body sway in 2004 Focus

[mcduran]

I feel the body sway during bumps, lane changes on the highway and at curving on/off ramps. It feels like it is in the rear of the car. The body seems to lift up slightly and get pulled back down. Sometimes the motion is just side to side. It's slight but I feel it could lead to loss of control in rain or snow.
Just had the sway bar replaced. Dealer said it was broken. Problem was before then and still exists.
Thank you for your help.

[sib10]

try bushings for the sway bar

[Davescort97]

A strut tower bar would just the thing for lessening body sway. I'm sure you could get one for the front. A rear would take some looking. I put one on the front towers of my Escort. Body doesn't flex in a turn. Makes the whole front suspension more rigid. Also, aftermarket bushings for the anti-sway bar are available. Far superior to the oem"s.

[DaveFocus]

I have a 2000 Ford Focus SE and am having a very similar issue. The back end seems to sway from left to right when hitting small bumps or cracks in the road.

My dad checked out the rear of the car and seemed to think the only bushings in the rear that looked worn were the lower control arm bushings. I called around and found out that they don't make replaceable rear lower control arm bushings for the car, so I had to purchase 2 new rear lower control arms.

After replacing both lower control arms I am STILL experiencing the problem. My dad seems to think that the rear sway bar bushings appear in good shape still.

Anyone else have any idea's as to what could be causing this issue?

On another note, we've also already replaced a wheel bearing, rear drum and hardware in attempts to solve this issue.

[egc519mzl]

Also noticed this on my 02. I am thinking of changing the shock absorbers in the near future. I had it replaced about 50K miles ago. I will go check for bad bushings as well.

[AltecZX2]

get a full Energy suspension pushing kit, a strutbar and a thicker swaybar......thats the only way to fix it...that and MAYBE a bigger rim with lower profile tire.


there is nothing WRONG with your car...thats how its designed.

[DaveFocus]

"there is nothing WRONG with your car...thats how its designed"

I don't see how you think this was a designed flaw. If it was a designed flaw then it would have been present from the day I purchased the car, however it wasn't. It just now started to function this way after having owned the car for 7 years. That would mean something has changed and is therefor something that can be fixed/replaced.

[ferg955]

I am having the same problem on a 2007 Focus sedan, 145K miles. I just replaced rear shocks and still have the same problem. I checked all front and rear bushings, haven't found any problems other than front control arm links which I replaced. The problem is still occurring. I read another thread about replacing the top non-adjustable control arm with an adjustable camber bolt on the rear suspension. Is the stock negative camber related to the rear body sway, possibly because of reduced tire to road contact, especially when weight is reduced on the rear (due to hitting a bump for example)? Any thoughts would be appreciated - winter is approaching, and if I cannot get this fixed, I think my wife will be shopping for a new vehicle.

[dksjan5]

I had the same problem with '04 and it was the "dogbone" motor mount under engine/transmission. With car jacked up, I could move engine around with just my thumb, as it was in a free sway. Second time I had to replace it.