I recently changed a whole lot of parts on the front end of my '01 Windstar: struts, bearings, stabilizer links, and stabilizer bushings. I noticed before changing the stab bushings that I had some up-and-down play between the bar and the bushings, which is why I changed them. After putting in the new bushings, I still had the up-and-down play.

Has anyone else run into this problem? I can't see the stabilizer bar wearing down before the bushings wear out, but I'm stumped as to why this is. Is it possible someone in the past changed the stabilizer and put in the wrong one? I find that difficult to believe, but I'm at a loss here.

Thanks