Missing Sway Bar Bracket

[jsutherl]

I went crawling around under my coach today to see why the suspension in the back has been squeaking for the last 100 miles or so. The right rear sway bar bracket is gone.

Looks like the top bolt came out at some point and the bottom bolt snapped off.

I wonder where I'm going to find one of these brackets and how hard it's going to be to get that bolt out. This should be fun!

[jsutherl]

And this is what it should look like. This is the other side.

[mikegp1]

You can get them at the delear or Napa. Very common. Your probably going to have to drill and tap it back out. You can try some pb blaster for a few days to loosen and then and ezout. I have had this happen on my pickup before. A little work and it will come right out.

[cfsoistman]

If Napa doesn't have it. Any Ford Truck Center should or at least could get it quickly. You may need to put some heat to that sheared bolt as well.

[jsutherl]

Found the parts on the ford parts web site by using my VIN

http://www.fordparts.com

Parts: Suspension Stabilizer Bar Mounting Bracket

Part numbers:
Bracket - 1C3Z-5486-AA
Bolts - N605815*S439 a.k.a Ford Part #: HB3

Total cost for one bracket and two bolts - $22.80

Now I've got to go digging in the service manual to try to find the torque for the bolts.

[jsutherl]

I got the broken bolt out.

Went and bought a good quality EZ-out. Hosed the bolt down with PB blaster, waited a couple hours. Used a high speed steel drill bit and cutting fluid to run a hole down the bolt. Put in the EZ-out and the bolt came out. Took enough force that I was afraid of breaking off the EZ-out a couple of times but it worked.

I also hammered and pried the rubber bushing back into place while I was down there.

Now I'm all ready to install the replacement bracket. I wonder if this will solve the squeaking problem.

[cfsoistman]

Glad to hear you were able to get the bolt out. They usually are quite an ordeal.

[CanadianRVER]

Same thing happened on my 2011 378. Caught it BEFORE the bottom bolt vanished. We were able to locate a bolt out of a farmers selection. The left side was loose too!! put it all back together with red loc-tight only a tourch is taking it out now :<) OH and only 3000 miles on mine

[jsutherl]

It all went back together in just a few minutes with the new bracket and a small pry bar to get things lined up. I used some blue locktite on the bolts to make sure that they don't vibrate out.

[BigDTx]

Originally Posted by jsutherl

It all went back together in just a few minutes with the new bracket and a small pry bar to get things lined up. I used some blue locktite on the bolts to make sure that they don't vibrate out.

job well done! I am a FAA licensed A&P mechanic and I have my share of broken fasteners to remove, not fun but not impossible either! Good Job!

[tvance007]

Traveled with my neighbor from Illinois to Atlanta and noticed the bracket hanging down when we arrived. Bottom bolt still there, top bolt gone. The other side was loose.

The bracket is now out of shape due to the pressure of the bar so it will need to be bent back.

Seems like this is a very common problem. Only 8000 miles on this camper.

[jsutherl]

At least they're a pretty easy fix.

By the way this fix did stop the squeaking from the rear end. We've gone about 3000 miles since that sway bar bracket repair and so far all is well.