Replacement of rubber/metal front end parts

[Dennis45]

Follow up to my previous post. This is the eBay link for the Bulgarian supplier for the suspension boots. When you scroll down in this link you will see a sizing chart with many sizes and materials.

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/2-X-UNIVERSA...KQAAOSw9NdXqwY Z&vxp=mtr

My order consisted of the following sizes. Since they were not real expensive, the lengthy delivery time, and I was not sure how they would fit, I ordered a few different sizes rather than be short and wait for weeks for another order.
Each package contains two boots. IE, 4ea X 2 is a total of 8 boots. I had a few leftovers but I did not keep track of exactly how many I used of each size.

4ea X 2 Silicone 10 27 19
4ea X 2, HQ Silicone 16 35 25
10ea X 2, Universal Dust Boot 13 31 23
4ea X 2, HQ Rubber 15

The sway bar bushings are readily available from most Auto parts stores such as NAPA. Mine are Moog P/N K201455

[Fredrik73]

Just completed my winter full meal deal inspection on my Merlot. The only "Bushings" that were bad were the front Sway Bar Bushings. These are the ones that cause the suspension to squeak going over speed bumps etc. As you can see in my photo, they don't really wear out, they simply dry out and start to bond onto the shaft.
The two front bushings are fairly easy to replace. I paid $25 CDN for a pair of Moog bushings. My two days of Old Guy Labor was free. The beer was not free but a necessary commodity of course.
The two rear bushings are another story. Mine aren't making a noise so they will stay put. I suspect Howland's mechanic figured this out and came to the same conclusion as I did.

The rest of the suspension bushings are for the front/rear, upper/lower control arms. Sixteen in total. In my case they were all in good condition with lots of life left. No signs of rot. Replacement individual bushings can be had but they are from a Chinese supplier and I don't trust Made in China when it comes to stuff like this. If they need to be replaced it's best to replace the control arm assembliesfrom a reputable supplier.

The Rubber Parts referred to in this thread are the boots for the suspension links, ball joints, upper control arm joint and tie rod ends which hold the grease in next to the joint, And, keep water and debris from attacking the ball and socket of the joint. Neglecting these parts will eventually result in failure of the joint and possibly your baby going off into the weeds. Not good.....

I removed all of these joints. Peeled away the rotten rubber and old grease. Washed the joints throughly and inspected for wear. Everyone was tight and like new as I would expect with only 30K on them. To replace all of these joints would likely run into a few hundred dollars. So, rather than replace the assemblies, I ordered a full set of boots from an eBay supplier in Bulgaria. About six weeks later, and about $100 US, they arrived postage free and appear to be as good or possibly better than the OEM boots. So over the next two or three weeks I reassembled each link with the new boots and grease. More beer,,,
While I was at it, I replaced all four brake rotors and brake pads. More beer,,,,,

As soon as our winter weather subsides I will take her to my local Ford Dealer for a four wheel alignment and we are ready for a summer of cruising.
It has been an entertaining winter.

Hi Dennis
do you still have the mesurements on the different rubber joint covers? Or how did get the right Ones?
mine are not Good i want to change them this winter
/Fredrik

[Dennis45]

Hi Dennis
do you still have the mesurements on the different rubber joint covers? Or how did get the right Ones?
mine are not Good i want to change them this winter
/Fredrik

Hi Fredrik,

I just sent this info to another TBN member. If you send me a PM with your email address I'd be happy to forward all the info I sent to him by email.
The supplier is on eBay from Bulgaria so just around the corner from you, so to speak.

Dennis