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Elwood58 · 06-29-2016, 02:09 PM

I always thought the ride was a little lively, but figured I was going to Roadmaster for upgrades, so why dwell on it. After driving through Idaho on 95 along the Salmon River, I decided to take a look at what I was working with. The picture is of the Rear Sway Mount on the passenger side. Those bolts don't just back out under any kind of normal use. I assume this left the Ford factory incomplete.

Mich F · 06-29-2016, 02:29 PM

I have no idea what your vehicle is, but from hat picture it looks like that's also an attachment point for your levelers, which would have been put on after it left Ford.

38Chevy454 · 06-29-2016, 02:37 PM

The top bolt that holds the sway bar bushing in the saddle piece could very well have worked it's way out. I see what looks like witness marks on the saddle piece where there was a bolt.

Just take the other one out that is still in the bracket and get a same second one to replace the missing one. Then put them in with the saddle piece around the bushing, and tighten the bolts up. That should help your drive quality until you get to the service center. Mention when you are at the service place to check the bolts you installed, replacing the bolts if necessary with the absolute correct ones.

Elwood58 · 06-29-2016, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 38Chevy454

The top bolt that holds the sway bar bushing in the saddle piece could very well have worked it's way out. I see what looks like witness marks on the saddle piece where there was a bolt.

Just take the other one out that is still in the bracket and get a same second one to replace the missing one. Then put them in with the saddle piece around the bushing, and tighten the bolts up. That should help your drive quality until you get to the service center. Mention when you are at the service place to check the bolts you installed, replacing the bolts if necessary with the absolute correct ones.

Those are Grade 8 12mm bolts, which I was able to source where we were staying when we got to Washington. It took a 2 foot 1/2" Breaker Bar to install the bolts. I had to replace both, as the remaining bolt was worn smooth by the rocking of the bracket. I have checked them since, but will have Roadmaster check the torque while there.

The ride did improve a bunch.

PbdBlue · 06-30-2016, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elwood58

Those bolts don't just back out under any kind of normal use. I assume this left the Ford factory incomplete.

Actually they do back out on their own. Had this same issue on my '99 F53. Replaced with polyuerothane bushings, grade 8 hardware and loctite. I think newer F53's come with poly bushings but not sure when that change was made.

larrykathy · 06-30-2016, 04:33 PM

Whew Elwood, we just came down through there. Beautiful for sure. I have been monitoring our fr/rr stab bar bushings and mounts and so far we're a-ok.
Thanks for the report and sure am happy it didn't cause you a accident.
We're at Mountain Home RV Park in Idaho. May I say, nice park, 11 all around.
Safe travels

HGC · 07-01-2016, 08:43 AM

Had the same bolts totally come out of the front passenger sway bar mount. Grade 8 metric. IMO I would use only the Ford replacement bolts with their lock nuts and Loctite blue. Still don't know how the heck they came out. Torqued mine to over 100fps. The holes and bolts are very precise measurements. Was on I70 when they either broke or loosened up. The highways are really terrible. Good luck!