Ford 6L2Z-5K484-BA
Stabilizer Link, Rear

The procedure for the repair and service of the rear sway bar and link on both the Explorer and Mountaineer starts by obtaining hub-to-fender measurement when the car rests on level ground. First, remove the wheel with tire before discarding the outboard nuts and bolts from both upper arms of the vehicle. The service requires the sway bar link grommet along with nut and link to be removed and discarded while keeping only the grommet and link. First, remove the four sway bar bracket nuts before discarding them and then proceed to discard both sway bar brackets as well as both sway bar bushings. The installation of four sway bar bracket studs requires front stud downward pressure followed by rearward motion while performing the same installation steps with rear studs but toward the front of the vehicle. Disconnect the quick-connect coupling between the fuel filler pipe tube and fuel pressure sensor line followed by unclipping the line from the fuel tank while setting it aside. Attention to detail is crucial while working on sway bars of vehicles equipped with rear air conditioning or heating systems since damage to the A/C lines and rear heater hoses is possible; perform this task with assistant assistance to remove the bar from the left-hand side. A helper should guide you to place the sway bar on the left side where you must reconnect the fuel sensor and quick connect coupling to the fuel filling pipe tube. The installation process starts by mounting four sway bar bracket studs then adding two sway bar bushings together with two sway bar brackets before tightening four sway bar bracket nuts to a torque strength of 48 Nm (35 lb-ft). The suspension should be raised using a jack until the initial measurement of hub-to-fender distance becomes aligned. The sway bar link installation requires the attachment of new link hardware while the nut gets tightened to 30 Nm (22 lb-ft). The front end of the vehicle should face the installed upper arm outboard bolts so wheel damage is avoided before installing both bolts and nuts with a torque setting of 225 Nm (166 lb-ft). End the procedure by replacing the wheel and tire.

The first step to service and repair the sway bar link on rear suspension is measuring the fender lip to hub center distance when the Explorer or Mountaineer rests on flat ground. The service starts with wheel removal followed by discarding the outboard hardware from both upper arms. Complete the service and repair task for the sway bar link by disassembling the link and link nut and grommet. Throw away the sway bar link nut and grommet as well. The first step requires discarding the four sway bar bracket nuts before eliminating the two sway bar brackets and two sway bar bushings. Drive both front bracket studs downward and move them toward the back of the vehicle at the same time while pushing rear studs downward and toward the front section. The quick connector should disconnect the tube of fuel filler pipe from the fuel pressure sensor before the line is unclipped from the fuel tank and set aside. It is essential to handle the sway bar carefully when dealing with vehicles equipped with rear heating or air conditioning functions since improper procedures may damage A/C lines and heater hoses; perform these steps using assistance to remove the bar from the left-hand side of the vehicle. An assistant will help you install the sway bar on the left-hand side of the vehicle together with the fuel filler pipe tube-to-fuel sensor line and quick connect coupling. Next apply four sway bar bracket studs and install both sway bar bushings and sway bar brackets before tightening new sway bar bracket nuts to 48 Nm (35 lb-ft). A jack must be used in raising the suspension until the hub-to-fender point matches the initial measurement. The sway bar link installation requires you to use new link nut and grommet while torqueing the nut to 30 Nm (22 lb-ft). Secure two new upper arm outboard bolts in the front position of the vehicle so they face forward before tightening them to 225 Nm (166 lb-ft). After removal of the jack you must install the wheel with its tire back onto the vehicle.

Discard the two stabilizer bar nuts and grommets.

Remove the two stabilizer bar brackets and bushings, followed by the four stabilizer bar bracket studs.

Inspect the stabilizer bar bushings for wear or damage and replace them as necessary, tightening the left-hand side first.

Inspect and clean the mating surfaces and internal threads, ensuring they are free of foreign material and any thread locking compound.

Disconnect and unclip the fuel vapor line from the fuel tank, positioning it aside.

Replace them as necessary, tightening the LH side first.

Install the fuel tank filler pipe bracket bolt, tightening to 15 Nm (11 lb-ft).

Ensure the vehicle is in NEUTRAL and positioned on a hoist.

Remove the two stabilizer bar brackets and bushings, followed by the four stabilizer bar bracket studs, pushing the front studs down and sliding them toward the rear of the vehicle, and the rear studs down and sliding them toward the front.