How to Replace the Stabilizer Bar Bushing Kit in a 2001 F-150

The stabilizer bar on a 2001 Ford F-150 is an essential part of the suspension. Its purpose is to reduce the tendency for the truck to roll in cornering and reduce the camber changes associated with the roll. By reducing the tendency to roll, the tire opposite the turn remains planted on the road with a much larger footprint. The diameter of the stabilizer bar, or sway bar, determines the amount of over- or understeer.

Instructions

1

Raise the front of the truck with a floor jack and place a jack stand under the frame on each side. Lower the truck so it rests on the stands. Place a piece of tape on both sides of the sway bar frame mounts to make placement of the bushings more accurate.

2

Use a wrench to hold the head of the bolt above the sway bar and a socket to remove the lower nut of the links below the lower control arm. Remove the metal washer and bushing above the bottom nut. Remove the bolt and the remaining bushings and spacer. The links are a semi-rigid connection between the sway bar end and the lower control arm. The link consists of a long bolt and nut with two sets of bushings plus a predetermined length spacer.

3

Remove the pieces from the box for the new sway bar link. Hold the long bolt and install a beveled washer followed by a rubber bushing onto it. Insert the bolt through the top hole in the sway bar arm.

4

Insert a rubber bushing followed by a beveled washer on the bolt. Install the long spacer followed by another beveled washer and rubber bushing. Keeping these parts on the bolt, insert the end of the bolt through the hole in the lower control arm.

5

Insert a rubber bushing followed by a beveled washer on the end of the bolt below the lower control arm. Install the nut and tighten it with a wrench to hold the head of the bolt and a socket to tighten the nut. Do not torque the sway bar link at this point. Repeat the same procedure on the opposite side.

6

Place the floor jack under the center of the sway bar between both mounts. Raise the jack to contact the sway bar. Remove the two bolts in each sway bar mount using a socket. Pull the metal mounting clamps off the rubber bushings.

7

Lower the floor jack and drop the sway bar down about two inches. Remove the rubber sway bar bushings. They are split on the flat side against the frame.

8

Install the new bushings by spreading them apart at the split and installing them on the same spot next to the tape for proper placement. Make sure the flat side of the bushing is facing up. Raise the floor jack to lift the sway bar into position on the frame.

9

Install the metal bushing clamps by pushing them down over the rubber bushings and aligning the holes with those in the frame. Install the two bolts in each mount and tighten them to 26 foot-pounds of torque using the torque wrench. Remove the floor jack.

10

Torque each sway bar link nut to 21 foot-pounds using the torque wrench and socket for the nut and a wrench to hold the head of the link bolt. Lower the truck to the ground.