Community Forums

TeJay · 08-24-2016, 03:48 PM

Dennis,

Just lube the ones you have. Ford changed from soybean oil bushings to poly bushings on the 2012 chassis. My SB bushings were poly and new (2013) but they still did not have any lube on them at all. Just to move the bushings was a chore.

The rotation (twisting) of the SB within those bushings is an integral aspect of this SWAY control system. Why make the SB work any harder than is needed to do the job of controlling the SWAY. It has to twist within those bushings so lube them but you have to use a poly lube. Some greases may attack the poly.

TeJay

TeJay · 08-24-2016, 03:54 PM

As of this point I don't believe there are any specific years or even a range of years that this is happening.

If you have an issue just post the year and we may see a pattern over time.

I have had both the fronts and rears off at the same time. My rear brackets are probably 1/2" narrower than the fronts. Both are held in place with the same sized bolts but the rear have the nut welded onto the bracket. I don't know if these differences matter but there are differences and so far the rear bracket bolts are coming loose.

I've stiffened my front brackets by welding gussets to them. I'm still trying to have some new heavier ones made for the rear. No progress on that for now. I'll just hope the Lock Tight does the job.

georgelesley · 08-25-2016, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeJay

As of this point I don't believe there are any specific years or even a range of years that this is happening.

If you have an issue just post the year and we may see a pattern over time.

I have had both the fronts and rears off at the same time. My rear brackets are probably 1/2" narrower than the fronts. Both are held in place with the same sized bolts but the rear have the nut welded onto the bracket. I don't know if these differences matter but there are differences and so far the rear bracket bolts are coming loose.

I've stiffened my front brackets by welding gussets to them. I'm still trying to have some new heavier ones made for the rear. No progress on that for now. I'll just hope the Lock Tight does the job.

On mine one rear nut that is spot welded came loose when I completely removed the bolt. When I heard it drop it was one of those "oh no" (insert your own words) moments. Getting it back on was not the most fun I have ever had. BTW, it was the afore mentioned bolt that had threads showing.

Hudsoner · 08-25-2016, 09:21 AM

Could it be that this is more of a problem with newer F53's? We checked mine yesterday, and all bushings were solidly fastened. Nevertheless, my son plans to add blue Loctight to every bolt down there.

TeJay · 08-25-2016, 12:24 PM

Phil from post #7 had a loose bracket on his 2006. At this time there seems to be no specific or even general time frame.

This is just MHO. I don't really care the year of the coach. If I'm driving one that is a 2011 or older I would replace the bushings with POLY and add some POLY lube as well. Then I'd lock tight all installed bolts.

We got our new coach in 2014. I contacted Skuterdude to order some poly bushings and was told that Ford started using poly on the 2012 units. I was going to upgrade but didn't have to. Great.

Why would I replace bushings that are not worn??? Simple!! The SWAY control is very necessary to maintain pleasant driving and good control from dips, bumps and winds. Why not have the absolute best bushing material (polyurethane) that is available???

The bushings that holds the SB in place as it goes through all its twisting as we travel is very, very necessary and crucial. Think about what it takes to control your 18,000 lb (or larger) coach as you undulate over our wonderful roads. All that sway and movement in all directions needs to be controlled. I want the best bushings I can get to do the job. For about $80 front and rear I can have the best and they will come with the proper lubricant.

TeJay

jpspaz · 08-25-2016, 06:13 PM

Where can I order the poly bushings?

w2drfg · 08-25-2016, 06:46 PM

Try
Skuterdude on ebay

TeJay · 08-25-2016, 08:06 PM

You can also just google his handle at the top of the forum page and contact him that way.

TeJay

golfpgb · 08-25-2016, 08:20 PM

I will check mine this weekend.

Thanks Tejay

chboone · 08-25-2016, 10:39 PM

From what I have seen and read the problem is with the newer chassis. I don't know when Ford changed from the thick steel retainer to the thin stamped steel strap retainer. It seems the problem started with that change.

TeJay · 08-26-2016, 05:58 AM

chboone,

You may be correct on the bracket change. We had a 1999 chassis and since that was close to the first I'm sure it had the bigger rear set of brackets. I don't know when Ford went to the cheaper skimpy designed one but that may be a factor.

The rear is handling more weight and therefore those rear brackets are being stressed more than the fronts which are at least wider.

Why did Ford re-design the rear bracket making it narrower while the front is handling less weight but it's wider??

Things like this do sometimes happen when somebody try's to save a buck.

TeJay

kevin1959 · 08-26-2016, 11:00 AM

Dumb question, is sway bar and stabilizer bar same thing ? I don't have anything connected to my differential.

House Husband · 08-26-2016, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeJay

Phil from post #7 had a loose bracket on his 2006. At this time there seems to be no specific or even general time frame.

This is just MHO. I don't really care the year of the coach. If I'm driving one that is a 2011 or older I would replace the bushings with POLY and add some POLY lube as well. Then I'd lock tight all installed bolts.

TeJay

Interesting that all the F53s are classed together, when there was a distinct difference between pre 98 and post 98. 88-97 F 53s with 460/E40D, were made in Mexico. 99 and later were made in USA with V10/4R100,5R110, etc.
Both with with their own set of problems and failures. Very little failure of rear sway bar bolts on the older chassis. Where as the newer chassis has many reports of bolt failure. All F53s are not the same.

Richard

TeJay · 08-26-2016, 02:55 PM

kevin1959,

Short answer is, YES. There are several names for the same part. They are called Anti-sway bars but often that is shortened to sway bar. Which is not correct since it is not a bar designed to create sway but to eliminate it. Most manufacturers call them Stabilizer Bars and we shorten that to SB.

If you have a WBGO Adventure on an F-53 Ford gas chassis then your chassis is heavier but it will have attachments to the differential similar to what I'm posting. I don't have a great picture of the DF but this is close.

The SB is attached to the DF as shown. In my case the SB goes over the top of the DF. Some go below but essentially they do the same job.

TeJay