Ford Tie Rod Link

[seville009]

The tie rod in my 1999 Ford Expedition broke a few weeks ago.

A Ford dealer replaced them. When the dealer called to describe what had to be done, he said that both of the links were missing.

I had noticed when I was changing the snow tires that something appeared to be missing, but it was the same set up on both sides of the car, and it did not appear to me that something had been there (ie: no scrapped metal or torn parts), so I assumed that it was just some kind of bump stop or something.

Long and short of it is that the dealer did install the missing links. Steering and suspension seem nice and tight now.

My question - would the links have been removed by the snow plow dealer that installed my plow? In other words, is it normal for the links to be removed for some reason? What is the effect of the not having the links installed?

Attached is an exploding diagram of the part that I am talking about - it is part #12.

Thanks.

[wyldman]

It is possible they were removed,or they may have just broken.They will sometimes rot off,and fall out.

The stabilizer links attach the stabilizer bar to the front suspension,and prevent body roll when cornering.It will handle much better with them connected.

[seville009]

Thanks for the reply Chris.

It just seemed odd that both would have been gone, which is why I thought that possibly they were taken out for the plow installation. The main reason I wanted to find out the answer was in case they should not have been reinstalled by the Ford dealer, but that is apparently not the case; they should be installed.

You're right - it handles much better since they were installed.

[jakegypsum]

Seville009,

Ford Expeditions are notorious for those stabilizer ends to break over time. The FTE and other Ford Truck forums always have that subject come up.

I had the same problem with my '99 and also my Bro's '98. It happend to mine just after having new tires installed. I often wondered if they possibly broke when jacked up at the tire shop.

Those ends seem to be under a lot of binding pressure by the way they are set up with the front end components on these vehicles.

Jake

[seville009]

Thanks Jake; I'll keep an eye on them and see how long they last. I have no clue how long I had been driving without them.

I see you're from Linwood - we've been going to Ocean City each summer for the past three years - was just there last week and drove through Linwood (went down Rt 9 to avoid the Rt 52 traffic jams)

[jakegypsum]

Seville009,

Smart move Dude!
The traffic really gets ugly on all of the major highways during the summer weekends, as you know. The entire shore line really attracts a lot of people and there isn't too many roads in & out of the area, especially further south towards Cape May.

Ocean City is a really nice place to visit. Great family resort. It's always a big attraction. Thanks for visiting. :D

Jake

[Robh]

Last week I had a 99 Ford Expedition in my shop for a brake job and it also was missing both sway bar links just like you. Its a common prob with the fords.....Rob

[SIPLOWGUY]

I agree with Wyldman. I've seen many of those link rust away and fall off.