How to Install a Bolt & Link on the Front Sway Control on a 2000 Ford Expedition

From 1978 through 1996, Ford offered the F-Series-based Bronco as its sole full-size SUV. When Ford decided to perform a drastic overhaul on the F-150 in 1997, the automaker chose to eliminate the Bronco name and replace it with the Expedition, which Ford based on the F-Series pickup. The 2000 Expeditions front sway bar has bolt-style sway bar links. When replacing the bolt part of the link, it is best to replace the entire kit bushings, washer and nut which is a straightforward process.

Instructions

1

Look on the passengers kick panel to find the on-off switch for the air suspension. Turn this switch to the Off position.

2

Loosen the front lug nuts with a ratchet and socket. Raise the front of the Expedition with a floor jack and slide jack stands under the vehicles frame rails. Lower the Expedition onto the jack stands. Remove the lug nuts and pull the front wheels from the vehicle.

3

Look on the end of the sway bar the bar that spans from the suspension on one side of the SUV to the other side to find the vertical link connecting it to the lower control arm. This is the sway bar link.

4

Hold the link steady, by placing a combination wrench on the bolt head on the top of the sway bar link, and remove the nut holding the link on the lower control arm with a ratchet and socket.

5

Pull the metal washer and rubber bushing from the link and pull the link upward to remove it from the control arm and sway bar seven components will fall off the link as you remove it.

6

Slide a metal washer and a rubber bushing on the replacement sway bar link bolt. Insert the link bolt into the hole in the end of the sway bar. Slide the following new components included with the new sway bar link kit onto the sway bar link bolt in the following order: rubber bushing, metal washer, metal sleeve, metal washer and rubber bushing.

7

Guide the threaded end of the sway bar link bolt through the hole in the lower control are, then install and rubber bushing and a metal washer. Hand-thread the new sway bar link nut onto the sway bar link.

8

Tighten the sway bar nut from 15 to 21 foot-pounds with a torque wrench and socket, while holding the sway bar link bolt steady with a combination wrench.

9

Repeat Steps 3 through 8 to replace the sway bar link on the other side of the Expedition, if needed.

10

Set the wheels back on the Expeditions front hubs and hand-tighten the front lug nuts. Raise the SUV off the jack stands with a floor jack and remove the jack stands. Lower the vehicle to the ground and tighten the lug nuts, in a crisscross pattern, to 100 foot-pounds with a torque wrench and socket.

11

Turn the air suspension switch back to the On position.