Apparently Ford is finally recalling V8's for the rear sway bar problem

[NXR]

This was posted on another site for the 2020 Ford F-53 V8 chassis. The poster called it a "pre-recall notice".

There's nothing on the NHTSA's site yet, though: https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2020/FORD/F-53#recalls

V8 owners may want to check their VIN at: https://www.ford.com/support/ and also create a My Ford account there. I did it for my V10.

Ray

[Ray,IN]

That reads like the sway bar will fall off and create a hazard for other drivers. My immediate remedy would be to attach a short cable to the sway bar and frame- mitigating such an event.


From reading this website I take it, replacing the OEM sway bar is a common practice anyway.

[2cyber71]

What the heck happened to Ford,
Also, Freightliner and Spartan too

[Backcountry1]

Originally Posted by 2cyber71

What the heck happened to Ford,
Also, Freightliner and Spartan too

Engineers from the “Everyone gets a trophy (Diploma/Degree) no matter what” era.

[NXR]

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

That reads like the sway bar will fall off and create a hazard for other drivers. My immediate remedy would be to attach a short cable to the sway bar and frame- mitigating such an event.

The sway bar would still remain attached by the end links even if both brackets fractured or fell off because the bolts came out. I was thinking it was more that parts falling off can cause a flat for someone else and perhaps cause an accident.

From reading this website I take it, replacing the OEM sway bar is a common practice anyway.

Pre-V8, meaning the V10, it's not uncommon to add a second rear sway bar or completely replace the front sway bar. The V8 chassis comes with massive 2" diameter front and rear sway bars but it sounds like someone did not get the calculations of the stress on the brackets calculated correctly.

Ray

[SavnTheWales]

2020, are you kidding me. My 2012 has broken 2 of the brackets. Last month when I was in Yellowstone the second one broke. Had to drive 70 miles to a dealer who charged me 2x the normal price.


I fabricated the first one that broke out of metal twice as thick…. Should have made 2. Time to build another one.

[GHM]

I bought a 2021 fortis and had it maybe a month. While doing a pre-trip chassis check I found the left rear sway bar to rear end mount was gone, as well as the two bolts and nuts. Bracket bolts and bushing from ford were about 200.00. I added nylon lock nuts and a little blue lock tight.

Cheers

[mbutts]

Originally Posted by Backcountry1

Engineers from the “Everyone gets a trophy (Diploma/Degree) no matter what” era.

Or, the supplier was beaten down on pricing until they had to move production overseas where only God knows what kind of quality you'll get.

[kandcbend]

On our 2021 Tiffin Open Road 34PA with 7.3L V-8, a loose bracket with slipping bushing on the sway bar was found while at Henderson's Line-Up in Grants Pass OR. They recommended a kit and I had it installed on ours. In our case, the nuts that the bracket bolts screw into were welded on by Ford; the welds on one of the nuts broke allowing the nut, bracket, and bushing to slip around. Ours is built on a 26,000 lb. 2020 year F53 chassis and had ~9,000 miles on it when the failure was discovered.

https://supersteerparts.com/products...-4139-131.html

[NXR]

Originally Posted by kandcbend

In our case, the nuts that the bracket bolts screw into were welded on by Ford; the welds on one of the nuts broke allowing the nut, bracket, and bushing to slip around.

Ford released an advisory a year and a half ago on those welded nuts becoming unwelded.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...89585-0001.pdf

Ray

[D20]

Recall posted:

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=22V731

September 30, 2022 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 22V731000
Rear Stabilizer Bar Brackets May Break
Brackets that separate from the vehicle can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V731000

Manufacturer Ford Motor Company

Components SUSPENSION

Potential Number of Units Affected 26,910

Summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 F-53 recreational stripped chassis vehicles. The rear stabilizer bar attachment brackets may break and separate from the vehicle.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect the bolt tightness for both rear stabilizer attachment brackets and replace the weld nuts and bolts, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 10, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S62.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

[Hermes2]

Just checked the ford site and got the recall notice...
_____________

Remedy

Ford motor company is working closely with its suppliers to produce parts for this repair. When parts become available, ford motor company will notify you via mail to schedule a service appointment with your dealer for repairs to be completed free of charge parts and labor. Parts are anticipated to be available first quarter of 2023.

Campaign/NHTSA # 22S62/xxxxxxxxx
_______________

So, now we wait... FWIW, I've checked mine semi-regularly since becoming aware of this issue. After 18 months and 18,000 miles mine still seem to be fine.

[RRR]

Something must have woke Ford up on this, it has been going on at least since 1999. I'll bet there is a lawsuit involved some where.

[NXR]

Originally Posted by RRR

Something must have woke Ford up on this, it has been going on at least since 1999. I'll bet there is a lawsuit involved some where.

The chronology says the NHTSA notified them after only 4 complaints. Apparently they resisted and the NHTSA then pressed the issue.

The odd thing is the defect notice says this:

Owners will be notified by mail and instructed to take their vehicle to a
Ford or Lincoln dealer to inspect bolt torque for both rear stabilizer
attachment brackets. If each of the bolt torques on the same bracket are
greater than 25Nm, replace weld nuts with flag nuts and replace bolts.
Otherwise, if either bolt torque on the same bracket is less than 25Nm,
replace weld nuts with flag nuts, replace bolts, and replace bracket.

25 Nm is like 19 ft lbs.

Ray