Sunday, October 20, 2013
2002 Ford Ranger Sway Bar Components
The sway bar on a 2002 Ford Ranger is designed to link the two sides of the front suspension together. The linking of the two sides keeps the body of the truck level and prevents excessive leaning to one side in hard turns. There are several components that make up the sway bar assembly including links, bushings and brackets.
Sway Bar
The sway bar itself is the main component of the assembly. It is a long, metal bar that spans the width of the front-end. The bar is cylindrical in shape and has a few bends in it to clear the trucks frame. This bar is rigid and does not bend unless it is impacted by another object. When impacted hard enough, the bar can actually break in half.
Sway Bar Links
The sway bar links attach the sway bar to the lower control arm of the suspension, on both sides. The links are about 6 inches in length and are attached to the sway bar and the control arm by way of a nut and bolt. These links also keep the sway bar elevated and level so that it can function properly.
Sway Bar Link Bushings
Sway bar link bushings are round, rubber bushings with metal inserts. There are a total of four bushings on either side of the sway bar. Two bushings insulate and hold the sway bar, while the other two surround the control arm. These bushings provide the small amount of flex that the sway bar requires to prevent breakage. These are the most common items to fail on a sway bar; when they fail, the driver hears a jingling sound, which is the sway bar link bouncing up and down.
Sway Bar Brackets
There are two brackets that hold the sway bar into place on a 2002 Ranger. These brackets are arranged in a half-circle shape and go over the sway bar bushings, holding the sway bar to the frame of the truck. These brackets are held to the frame by two bolts and can sometimes rust to the point of breaking. When this occurs there is a loud rubbing sound when taking a turn, which is caused by the sway bar rubbing against the frame.
Sway Bar Bushings
Sway bar bushings are circular, rubber inserts that go around the sway bar and into the bracket. These bushings do not have any mechanical function except to keep the sway bar from contacting the frame. When these bushings go bad, the driver will sometimes hear a thumping sound when hitting bumps; this is the sway bar hitting the bracket or the frame.
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