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Old 08-31-2018, 03:55 PM   #1
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Brand: Still Looking
State: Michigan
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THOR #3954
Breaking F53 Rear Sway Bar Brackets

I’d posted this on a handling mods thread, but believe it more appropriate here. This appears to be a common issue with the Ford F53 gas chassis.

Recently I’d been hearing/feeling a vague popping clunk when making a tight turn and over uneven pavement, and the handling’s been a tad less precise.

I took our 2016 Miramar 34.3 (24k miles) to an independent shop to give it a good look over before a big outing to the west coast, and mentioned the noise.

The mechanic said he thought he might have found the problem and showed me these. [emoji15]

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The two brackets holding the OEM rear anti-sway bar had snapped apart: Most of one was missing. The bar, bushings and mounting bolts were in good condition.

The shop has ordered replacement brackets, and we hope to have the issue resolved by next week.

You may want to check to see that your sway bar brackets are intact. It does affect handling, especially in cross-winds.

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Old 09-03-2018, 02:13 PM   #2
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Model: 2017 Axis 25.4
State: Arkansas
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THOR #12231
OMG - thats scary. I would be afraid the OEM replacements would do the same over time. I wonder if the shop and add a bead of weld to the corners? Or used a thicker gauge of metal and bend to shape?
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Old 09-03-2018, 04:30 PM   #3
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Model: Renegade Valencia 38RB
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THOR #3156
it is a common problem but usually found in a little bit older units than yours. Problem was incorrect torque of the bolts by Ford causing them to loosen up. Some brackets break, some the bolts fall off and the bracket gets bent up a bit

Everyone should check the bolts as they need 66 ft lbs of torque. If any are loose blue loctite should be applied to the bolts. The nuts are welded to the frame

Jerry
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Jerry, Maria, and Sasha 6lb Yorkie
2022 Renegade Valencia 38RB "Five Deuces"
2016 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport
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Old 09-03-2018, 04:52 PM   #4
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If anyone is interested in reading more about this

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?url...4&share_type=t
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2022 Renegade Valencia 38RB "Five Deuces"
2016 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport
FMCA # F464385
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Old 09-07-2018, 03:35 AM   #5
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State: Michigan
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THOR #3954
Breaking F53 Rear Sway Bar Brackets

FYI, had new OEM brackets installed to replace the broken ones I found.
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Ford part number 1C3Z-5486-AA brackets are a little beefier than the originals, cost $22.98 each.

I made sure the mechanic used blue locktite and torqued to 66 ft-lb.

Hopefully this will be a long term fix.
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Old 09-07-2018, 04:04 PM   #6
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Model: Miramar 35.3
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This recently happened to me. Had under 5000 miles on a new 2018 Miramar. Seems to be a common problem.
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