Failed Inspection, broken rear sway bar bracket

[Boat Bum]

I was quoted $766.60 to replace both rear sway bar brackets, just the passenger side was broken away. They also quoted $360.53 for inoperative washer pump which I replaced once for just the cost of the pump around $30.

Since I could not verify the issues myself and the costs quoted seemed high, I told them to fail it and I would come get it. I have it home and confirmed on the passenger side bracket both bolts sheared off.

This is something I'm capable of doing but wanted to solicit the group if anyone has done this before or otherwise can offer any advice.

In researching this I've found that this seems to be common of F53's, mine is a 2015. Also, should I do both? It seems if one went is the other far behind? Also, the one bracket has been doing the work of two for I don't know how long, I assume since last year's inspection.

TIA

 

[Onyrlef]

I had to remove mine to get the air bags up in and over the axles ( I installed them from the inside instead of removing the tires, * major pita btw). It was only a matter of unbolting and then bolting back in place, no big deal. I'd just use hardened bolts and nuts when going back in.

 

[Boat Bum]

Thanks for that. I wondered about replacing with OE bolts, after all they sheared in 9 years. Is that what I should use, hardened?

Would you do both sides? Does using the jacks to take the weight off help?

Thanks

 

[garyb1st]

Are these after market sway bars or are they standard on the newer F53 chassis? Also if standard equipment how common are the failures?

 

[Onyrlef]

I had mine up on jacks w/jack stands but only so I 'd have enough clearance to roll around underneath. I'm not sure jacking it up would have otherwise been necessary. I used grade 8 bolts washers and nuts. They're available at most any hardware.

 

[Kirk]

Would you do both sides?

I'd change both.

 

[Boat Bum]

Are these after market sway bars or are they standard on the newer F53 chassis? Also if standard equipment how common are the failures?

They are the stock 2015 1-3/8" rear sway bar. When researching the problem, I found numerous mentions in different forums, also where I heard the "fairly common" remark. Based on the number of different threads I found on it suggests there's something to it. If nothing else it's worth keeping an eye on if you have the same.

 

[Boat Bum]

Before I buy the brackets for both sides I might just do the broken one first, my reason being if the bar itself is torqued and the bracket doesn't seat properly; I'd then replace the whole thing with a beefier complete set.

 

[LarsMac]

If you have to get under there anyway, ...

 

[Onyrlef]

Before I buy the brackets for both sides I might just do the broken one first, my reason being if the bar itself is torqued and the bracket doesn't seat properly; I'd then replace the whole thing with a beefier complete set.

It's unlikely the bar was affected. The brackets ( bolts) are the issue and apparently routinely failed under ordinary conditions.

 

[Boat Bum]

Well, I'm remarkably ordinary, soo...

 

[RayIN]

Personally, I want the cheapest, easiest to replace part, to fail first. In your situation, would that be the bolts, bracket, or elongated frame holes?
Different bolt grades

 

[Boat Bum]

The two bolts sheared off, one still stuck in hole. The bracket is missing but the bushing is still attached, I'll replace all three parts.

 

[Chef Duane]

Sway bar brackets are pretty easy to do if you have the proper tools. And I agree with others that as long as you are down there anyway you should install a beefier sway bar. But, you say one of the bolts sheared off still in the hole? Is there enough still exposed to get a wrench on it? If not you may need a set of Easy Outs or stud extractors.

 

[Boat Bum]

I can get to the back of the bolt where the nut is still on, I'm hoping the nut is seized and will turn the bolt out. If just the nut comes off I'll still have the back of the bolt to grab and try and back out with vice grips or something. I can always drill it out.

On a positive note, the inop washer pump they quoted $360 to fix was simply a clogged pump line.

 

[Dan_Frisbie]

2017 F53 here.
The passenger side rear sway bar mount broke on my rig last year. It was easy to put just a mount bracket back on, but finding the right bolt was a bit of a PITA.

 

[Boat Bum]

Do you recall what you used? Does the bolt thread into the hole or just pass through held on by the nut in the back? Thanks!

 

[Goat-REDW]

I don't know what year your chassis is, but Ford had a recall for some 2020/2021 units because of this. If your chassis is one of these it will get fixed for free.

I'm not sure what is happening with my log in, but it went to my Redwood forum login, not my log-in for here. My username here is kdbgoat.

 

[Boat Bum]

It's a 2015, thanks.

 

[Dan_Frisbie]

Do you recall what you used? Does the bolt thread into the hole or just pass through held on by the nut in the back? Thanks!

The holes are threaded on my 2017. When I found the broken mount, one bolt was gone, so I had to find a mate to the one that remained.