How to Repair a Stabilizer Bar in a 1999 Ford Ranger

Without the stabilizer bar on a Ford Ranger, the truck feels like it is about to roll over every time it is put into a hard turn. The stabilizer system prevents the majority of the rocking from side to side when maneuvering. It also keeps the tires securely planted on the road under uneven conditions and while making a quick, sharp turn. The diameter of the stabilizer bar determines the amount of over-steer or under-steer.

Instructions

1

Raise the front of the truck and support it securely under the frame with the jack stands.

2

Remove the stabilizer brackets by removing the two clamps on the stabilizer in the front toward the radiator--one on each side of the stabilizer bar. Remove the two bolts from each bracket using the 3/8-inch drive ratchet and a 15mm socket. Pull the stabilizer bar down enough to remove both clamps and rubber bushings. The rubber bushing is split on one end to facilitate removal.

3

Slide the new rubber bushings onto the bar and place the metal clamps over the bushings. Lift the stabilizer bar back up to the frame. Insert the two bolts in each clamp and tighten.

4

Remove the nut on the bottom of the sway bar link. The link is located on the end of the sway bar and attaches the sway bar to the lower control arm. The sway bar link consists of a long bolt and a series of washers and bushings separated by a center sleeve. Hold the top of the link with a wrench while the bottom nut, under the control arm, is removed with the ratchet and a socket. Remove all the pieces.

5

Lay all the pieces out to install the sway bar links. There is a hole in the sway bar end and a hole in the lower control arm. The long bolt will be installed through these holes from the top hole in the sway bar down to the control arm. Starting with the long bolt, install a washer and a bushing on the bolt. Install the bolt with these parts through the sway bar. Hold the bolt about 3 inches away from the lower control arm.

6

Install a bushing followed by a washer. Slide the sleeve on the bolt, followed by a washer and a bushing. When these parts are on the bolt, drop the bolt threads through the hole in the lower control arm. Slide a bushing and washer on the long bolt threads where they come through the control arm. Put the last nut on and tighten it securely.