2007 F150 end link bushings

[sportsmen]

I am going to post this on a couple of websites in search of an answer.

Our 2007 F150 is eating up front end link bushings . I believe it has something to do with towing our 2016 27BHS but not sure. I have owned this truck since 2008 and it only started occurring after we bought the Jayco 1 year ago.
Previous to this we towed a 2002 KZ that weighed 5500 lbs. The Jayco weighs in at 6800 lbs.

I had the bushings replaced a few months ago. We have pulled the trailer twice since the new bushings were installed and they are already coming apart.

The front end makes a popping/clunking noise when going over bumps with the damaged bushings.

I have weighed the entire rig and I am under both axle weight ratings.

Any thoughts ???

[TWP723]

Are they OEM bushings? Are they crushed or pulled from the control arm or bar?

[sportsmen]

They are crushed/crumbling apart. And yes they are OEM bushings

[TWP723]

Gotta be too much weight on the front axle. That's the only thing I can think of that would destroy the bushings that quick. You're using a anti-sway system, correct?

[repacs0103]

I highly doubt it's from too much weight. Aftermarket suspension components are notorious for failure- even Moog is Chinese steel now. The originals could easily be junk after 10 years and the replacements could have failed from being bad parts or from overtightening on installation.


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[TWP723]

Considering I have no sales for links on the 4x4 F150 for the past 18 mos. and only one sale for a 4x2, I'd have to say it's not common for them to wear out without given a reason. Definitely possible but not a common issue. I owned a 2005 F150 and just recently traded it in with 220K and never had issues with links breaking apart.

[sportsmen]

I have weighed the truck and trailer combo and I am under my max axle rating on the front by 400 lbs. and 170 lbs. on the rear. I am using a WD hitch with 2 friction sway bars. I did not have this problem when towing the old trailer (5500 lbs) vs. the new Jayco (6800 lbs)


The truck is a 2007 and did not have this problem until we started towing the new trailer... I am at some what of a loss..


Maybe I need upgraded end link bushings.... ?!!?

[SkyBound]

Just out of curiosity, what is your RAWR on that truck?

My trailer weighs the same as yours with a tongue weight of about 900 lbs and so far my truck has pulled thousands of miles without an issue. What kind of hitch do you have?

As an afterthought: have you had an alignment done on your truck recently?

[sportsmen]

The RAWR is 3850, but the actual weight with the trailer hooked up on a traditional WDH is 3680. The FAWR is 3600 , but the actual is 2940. I had the lower ball joints and the end link bushings, along with a front end alignment done this past April.


The payload rating for the truck is 1648, and I am below that....


Any thoughts ??

[Marcm157]

I definitely agree with TWP that it is a weight issue. The fact that you are close on your front axle weights when static on a scale as opposed to traveling down the road where the front suspension is traveling over bumps and such is what leads me to this conclusion. If your trailer weighs in at 6800 and you are at or near 15% tongue weight you are at or over 1,000 pounds of TW. That doesn't leave much for you, family, gear etc.

[wwt]

I don't think trailer weight is your problem. We are talking end links on the front sway bar, correct?
The sway bar does not support the weight of the vehicle like the front springs. If you add weight to the front end and compress the suspension, the sway bar will rotate within the bushings holding the bar to the frame. When you go around a corner the body leans and the sway bar twists and does take a load to help keep the truck level but it will still lean because the sway bar is only so strong. If you add more weight to the truck the sway bar will still twist with the same resistance. Now if you added a larger, stronger sway bar, that would put more stress on the bushings.
I agree with a previous reply that the originals were just worn out and the new ones may have been over tightened or cheap aftermarket. Maybe try polyurethane bushings.