Ford Thunderbird Sway Bars & Tie Rods 2002 2003 2004 2005

[biddle]

ECONOMY PART $:
2002-2005 Front Sway Bar set only. Click here to order on Amazon
2002-2005 Front & Rear Sway Bar End Links Replacement for 2002-2005 Ford Thunderbird Click here to order on Amazon.

2002- Detroit Axle Complete Power Steering Rack & Pinion Assembly + All 4 Inner & Outer Tie Rod Ends - Has Threaded Ports. Order here on Amazon

2003- 2005- Front & Rear Sway Bar End Links, Inner Outer Tie Rod Ends. Click here to order on Amazon

PREMIUM PART $$:
Tie Rods-
Front Right Outer/Right Outer- Moog ES800414 Tie Rod End Click here to order on Amazon
Front Left Outer/Left Outer- Moog ES800415 Tie Rod End Click here to order on Amazon

Control Arm-
Front Left Upper Moog RK621665 Control Arm and Ball Joint Assembly Click here to order on Amazon
Front Right Upper Moog RK621666 Control Arm and Ball Joint Assembly Click here to order on Amazon

Sway Bar-
Front- Moog K80261 Stabilizer Bar Link Kit Click here to order on Amazon
Rear Right- Moog K80245 Stabilizer Bar Link Kit Click here to order on Amazon
Rear Left- Moog K80246 Stabilizer Bar Link Kit Click here to order on Amazon

Ball Joint
Front Lower Moog K500085 Ball Joint Click here to order on Amazon

Boot Covers-
Dorman 13566 Tie Rod Dust Boot kit 1/2-9/16 x 3
Dorman HELP! 13562 Tie Rod Dust Boot 9/16" x 2



Click here for thread about Control Arms With Ball Joint




As of August 2022 there is now an entire suspension kit available on Ebay. Click here for the current price.

This page contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated. As an eBay Partner, and Amazon Associate I may be compensated if you make a purchase at no cost to you.

 

[350xfire]

Labor Day weekend suspension party. Replacing: Upper Control Arms, Front Lower Ball Joints, Tie Rod Ends, ,Front Sway Bar Links.... So overall a complete front rebuild. After I finish front, on to the rear.... What a pain.
Anyone know what the easiest way to reach the driver's side back control arm bolt by the master cylinder?
Thanks

 

[350xfire]

She's been MOOGED!!! I have been able to do everything except:
1. Get the struts taken apart and reassembled- my neighbor is the servicemanager at a shop so he did that. These springs take a lot to compress.
2. Install the new lower ball joints- neighbor to the rescue again... I did remove them with the loaner tool from Auto Zone and bought the accessories kit from Harbor Freight. These will come home tonight and hopefully will have the front suspension completed this weekend along witht the air conditioner recharge...

I have to say, it was a big job but some cursing, plenty of breaks and patience ad it wasn't that bad.... So far! Probably saved a couple of $1000 from dealer price and the sense of accomplishment is awesome. Once put together, I will do the rear which I have already identified some needed parts and have it aligned.

 

[jonh]

anyone know where I can get the rear sway bar plastic caps that prevents the emergency brake cable from rubbibg on the top stud of the sway bar

 

[Bobwheeler]

anyone know where I can get the rear sway bar plastic caps that prevents the emergency brake cable from rubbibg on the top stud of the sway bar

Don't bother. Take a 2" pc of 1/2" pvc, cut it in half and cut 1/2" in at 90 degrees to that. Put it over t

anyone know where I can get the rear sway bar plastic caps that prevents the emergency brake cable from rubbibg on the top stud of the sway bar

he ebrake line and hose clamp it in place at a point where the chafe would occur. Check occasionally.

 

[Bobwheeler]

Don't bother. Take a 2" pc of 1/2" pvc, cut it in half and cut 1/2" in at 90 degrees to that. Put it over t


he ebrake line and hose clamp it in place at a point where the chafe would occur. Check occasionally.
View attachment 27646

I have approached this job one piece at a time so you get hi marks for attacking it all at once. I have never done a full suspension job so this way I have learned much and am collecting parts. All 8 control arms will have to be replaced eventually. I may have the shop do that. I went with fully assembled struts with springs for ease of installation and it was easy. Ride is much improved. Every boot needs replacing. Cleaned and greased with a plastic syringe all ball joints and wrapped with tape until I have the new parts on hand. Jacking the car and removing the wheel is not hard and exposes everything. I consider this whole exercise to be interesting and fun. Keep up the good work. Bob

 

[JimmyC]

Looking for rear swaybar bushing bracket for 05 bird. No one, including Ford, has them. Any suggestions where to look? Help!

 

[Bellhop]

Hey Guys,

I have been having some issues tracking down rear lower control arms for the 2003. Most of them that I find say to 11/17/2002 for the manufacture date. Is there really a difference between the 02 and 03 control arms?



Thank you in advanced!

Luke

 

[Marianne]

Hi All,
Have any of you had suspension repairs done on your TBird? I have 55K miles on my Bird and at 50K the Lincoln dealer noticed that all suspension ball/socket joint boots were split and torn open.

I had forgotten about this and started using a local mechanic but recently looked over all my repair records and realized that I never got this fixed.

It also is troubling to me that the new mechanic never noticed this at all. Also, I recently got all new tires at Costco but not sure if they would have noticed.

I rely completely on my repair shop to check and keep my Bird running safely and efficiently. I am considering going back to the Lincoln dealer to have this fixed. Please advise. I suspect this is going to be expensive but if it needs to be fine, I must do it and do it right.

Any advice ( local mechanic vs dealer for suspension), how much will this cost, etc. ?

 

[Pepere47]

Hi All,
Have any of you had suspension repairs done on your TBird? I have 55K miles on my Bird and at 50K the Lincoln dealer noticed that all suspension ball/socket joint boots were split and torn open.

I had forgotten about this and started using a local mechanic but recently looked over all my repair records and realized that I never got this fixed.

It also is troubling to me that the new mechanic never noticed this at all. Also, I recently got all new tires at Costco but not sure if they would have noticed.

I rely completely on my repair shop to check and keep my Bird running safely and efficiently. I am considering going back to the Lincoln dealer to have this fixed. Please advise. I suspect this is going to be expensive but if it needs to be fine, I must do it and do it right.

Any advice ( local mechanic vs dealer for suspension), how much will this cost, etc. ?

I had same issue on 2005 TBird with 33K miles. The bushings deteriorate over time. Any part with a bushing was replaced. Rock Auto had most of the parts but rear lower control arms were hard to find and expensive. However, replacing the bushings in the these rear control arms is very difficult to complete without damaging the control arm, inless someone has found a solution to this. Total cost with local mechanic doing install was about $3,000. Well worth it - drives like a dream.

 

[Bellhop]

I was able to install the "2002" version of the lower control arm with no issues on my 2003 if anyone needs to reference this.

 

[Chip Wood]

I am Interested in buying upper and lower control arms, inner and outer tie rod ends, sway bar links for a 2004. Need both left and right for all the above. Especially the rear parts.
email: ecwoodmd at gee mail