Four problems related to sway bar have been reported for the 1998 Ford Windstar. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Loud crackin and popping from sway bar attached fo rusted out cradle drivers side rear cradle that has rusted out and broken and has dropped down 1/2 inch and also rusted rear axle just tagged and registered it in va then noticed all the rust to subframe and rear axle van has manufactured in canada on door and a vermont car dealer emblem on back dangerous vehicle am icovered by recalls on this safty hazards.
The contact owns a 1998 Ford Windstar. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for repairs under NHTSA campaign id number: 01v199000 (suspension: front:springs: coil springs). The technician stated that they heated and sprayed penetrating oil onto the sway bar in order to remove the bar to complete the recall but they were unsuccessful in doing so. The technician stated that the sway bar links would need to be cut out in order to perform the recall repairs and the removal costs of the sway bar links would not be covered under the recall. The manufacturer was contacted and stated they could not override the decision made by the dealer and provide no assistance because the part was not covered under warranty or the recall. The vehicle was repaired at the contacts expense. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
A loud noise came from the front of the vehicle while driving 55 mph. Vehicle pulled to the left. Consumer noticed that sway bar broke on driver's side. Dealer and the manufacturer were contacted, and both informed the consumer that the part was not covered under a recall.
I believe Ford has a serious problem with sway bar links. I own a 1995 taurus, 1998 Windstar, and 2000 taurus. They all have the same exact problem. The links on the 2000 have been repaired under warranty. I also know other Ford owners that have the same problem. I am also aware of a recall on explorers for sway bar links.