Front Suspension Stabilizer Bar problems of the 2000 Ford Expedition

On may 28th, 2005 I was performing a pre-vacation safety inspection of my 2000 Ford Expedition when I noticed that the front anti sway bar ends were not connected to anything on my vehicle. I called shawnee mission Ford in shawnee, KS for advice. They directed me to bring the vehicle in for immediate repair. After arrival at the dealer, I stayed with the mechanic to observe repairs. He showed me two rusted and broken halves of link that had snapped in two from corrosion and metal fatigue. He said that he gets several of these each week on f150s, Expeditions and explorers. He referred to it as a design flaw that has been rectified by a recall on the explorer with a larger or reinforced link, but not on the Expedition or the f150. I decided this should be reported for two reasons. First, someone could be injured or have their vehicle damaged by the bottom half of these links falling of onto the roadway. Second, I suspect the premature and choppy wear of my front tires is directly attributable to this defect. Someone equipped this vehicle with that item for a reason. It isn't performing its intended purpose. It should be recalled and fixed with an acceptable and safe part. 1.

Upon looking under my truck I notices the anti sway bar was not connected on either end of the bar to anything. I have the truck at miller Ford where they have told me they see several of these weekly. I asked how could it be? the reply was they simply break off. I asked wouldn't they be any remnants of the connection left? the reply was "no" they simply fall off onto the road. Could this be a dangerous situation for not only a rollover but a projectile being launched onto the hyway? seeing as they see "at least six cases a week.

The front sway bar linkage bolts rusted and broke on both sides. I only had 47k miles on my vehicle. I noticed the vehicle jerked after hitting pot holes almost being uncontrollable if I was not holding on the steering wheel with both hands.

2000 Ford Expedition, eddie bauer concern: front stabilizer link bolts appear to be counterfit. The bolts fail at the top connection to the stabilizer bar at 62,000-65,000 miles. This creates unsafe steering and handling under many driving conditions. The head of the bolt shears off. The oem bolt does not meet the strength requirements for this vehicle. Replacement bolts contained in the link kits from Ford are not the same. The bolts are galvanized and appear to be imperial (british) standard vice metric. The local Ford dealer where I purchased the new link kits says that they discover many such failures and sell many replacement kits for this vehicle. These bolts are lifetime items. They should never fail. The results could be catastrophic. I have the remainder of the assembly that recently failed. The other side failed last spring and the assembly fell off completely. I would like to send that parts that I have to your research group.