Cheap Handling Fix

[TeJay]

Great job!!! Love it when a plan comes together!!!!!

[halfprice]

Originally Posted by TeJay

Great job!!! Love it when a plan comes together!!!!!

Thanks TeJay for all the help and suggestions

Jerry

[halfprice]

Just to add a small point. Once i removed the bolts freeing up the sway bar i could not move the bar up or down. The nonlubed bushings had a firm grip on the bar. After lubing and installed the bar it moved freely and i had to use a 4x10 block to support the bar while marking the holes

[EdInArk]

Originally Posted by halfprice

Just to add a small point. Once i removed the bolts freeing up the sway bar i could not move the bar up or down. The nonlubed bushings had a firm grip on the bar. After lubing and installed the bar it moved freely and i had to use a 4x10 block to support the bar while marking the holes

What did you use to lube them? I considered spritzing them with some silicone spray, but I was racing the rain and decided maybe later.

[halfprice]

I got 4 small tubes of super lube on ebay. Its made for poly bushing. One tube per bushing. Put it on the rears when i installed my rear trac bar

Jerry

[TeJay]

Ed,
You have to use a poly lube and not just any grease. Amazon sells some but i found it difficult to find locally.

It is not one of those lubes that has to be done every year. I'm guessing about every 8-10 years. Might as well do it correctly.

[EdInArk]

Originally Posted by TeJay

Ed,
You have to use a poly lube and not just any grease. Amazon sells some but i found it difficult to find locally.

It is not one of those lubes that has to be done every year. I'm guessing about every 8-10 years. Might as well do it correctly.

Thank you, sir. My unit is new, so I won't concern myself with it for a while. I wasn't going to use any sort of petroleum product on it but wondered it silicone spray on it from time to time would be beneficial.

[TeJay]

ED,

The silicone spray I'm sure is OK but just because your unit is new means nothing. My bushings were dry when I decided to lube them. I've read about a few owners who assumed the same and were wrong. Ford does not lube them from the factory.

That's just one of those things that Ford does not believe it's necessary so they don't do it. WHY??? The poly is probably 10 X's better than the soy bean oils based rubber they used from 1999 until they switched to poly on the 2012 chassis. For that very reason I'm sure Ford decided not to use any lubrication on them.

Initially I was going to replace my stock bushing with poly and Skuterdude told me that I already had poly because Ford switched in 2012. He makes and sells poly replacement bushings on this forum and includes lube when he sells a set.

I added some lube because I'm a bit anal when it comes to using the best lubricants available and doing what is recommended for the best performance.

Following your plan I'm sure is just fine. Even using no lubricant I'm sure the bushings will last a long time. I'm just a bit anal when it comes to lubricants and doing what is recommended for the best performance. I used 303 Aerospace Protectorate before I found out about the poly lube. 303 is one of the best overall liquid products I've ever used.

[EdInArk]

Originally Posted by TeJay

ED,

The silicone spray I'm sure is OK but just because your unit is new means nothing. My bushings were dry when I decided to lube them. I've read about a few owners who assumed the same and were wrong. Ford does not lube them from the factory.

That's just one of those things that Ford does not believe it's necessary so they don't do it. WHY??? The poly is probably 10 X's better than the soy bean oils based rubber they used from 1999 until they switched to poly on the 2012 chassis. For that very reason I'm sure Ford decided not to use any lubrication on them.

Initially I was going to replace my stock bushing with poly and Skuterdude told me that I already had poly because Ford switched in 2012. He makes and sells poly replacement bushings on this forum and includes lube when he sells a set.

I added some lube because I'm a bit anal when it comes to using the best lubricants available and doing what is recommended for the best performance.

Following your plan I'm sure is just fine. Even using no lubricant I'm sure the bushings will last a long time. I'm just a bit anal when it comes to lubricants and doing what is recommended for the best performance. I used 303 Aerospace Protectorate before I found out about the poly lube. 303 is one of the best overall liquid products I've ever used.

Thanks for the info. They are definitely dry.

[halfprice]

Installed the brackets today. I didnt do a great job of marking where the chf holes should be. They look a little past where they should be. But everything lined up great. Didnt need the jack to raise one side at all. I might add another hole if i dont like the ride

Jerry

[TeJay]

I currently have mine set at 1" more than the CHF position. Your's is very close to where I have ours set. We've driven more than 5,000 miles and have not had any so called harshness increase in the ride and no technical or mechanical issues since changing it to that position.

From the pics your SB looks level.

You will be the judge.

[halfprice]

The bars are still raised in the front a bit. My driveway is sloped a little

[halfprice]

Thanks again for all the helpful info TeJay

[TeJay]

You could disconnect the links, level the SB, mark and re-drill new holes. The plates do allow a lot more adjustment if you want or need it. As it is I'm sure it will be just fine.