Replacement of rubber/metal front end parts

[tbirdjames]

Wow...since getting behind the wheel of our yellow '02 back in July, 2017 I have been having a bit of fun locating and and dealing with some of our members on hard to find parts and replacements for which most of what I needed has been found.

However, there was one event that really shook my timbers...that being the cost of parts and replacements. Took TweetyBird to my local Ford/Lincoln dealer for a yearly bit of computer checkup and servicing just prior to going to the Early Bird oriented CTCI International Convention over in Knoxville last August. While there, of course a lot of other stuff was looked at...the most notable being the front end: was told all of the front end should be replaced as all of the bushings had deteriorated and lost their lubricant...$4,500.00 samollians. Well, never heard of such shenanigans...have owned many cars and never had to replace what they were talking about. My car is so quiet on the inside, I could not hear any squeaks...although my hearing is not what it used to be, my counterpart heard nothing also.

So, after posting on this forum and getting several replies that somewhat scoffed at the dealership for kinda of soliciting business and I worked on getting a second opinion...I took Yellow to the shop wherein I have maintenance on the '56 Thunderbird done and they confirmed the need for all that repair. Thunk!!! My point is this...all of the rubbers at the tie rod ends, control arms, sway bar links, lower ball joints and the struts had simply deteriorated...and lost all lubricants...sort of just sitting in water showing a lot of rust...time over usage being the main factor with about 90,000 miles on the odometer. Fortunately those parts were found readily, and my shop managed to get it done for a little more than half the quote from the dealer. My surprise threshold was peeked at all those little parts simply deteriorating whether or not there had possibly been any prevention of that happening...obviously if anything could have been done to prevent such a time worn event such as this, very few owners would possibly have known about it.

So what I'm throwing at you is this: have the rubber parts checked now...especially if you have over 90,000 on the odm...it was related to me that time got them way more than usage...and you can't see them unless the tires are removed. I tried to show images, however some kind of error box keeps showing up when trying to upload very small photos, so I will have to forego on that not having any experience on that part of the forum. Looking forward to seeing some of you at the Pappasitas' Event in Georgia in February...till then, Jim

[BLACK BEAUTY]

Jim my Baby Blue has 31k on her and all the rubbers are bad. But until they make noise I'll leave them. It sounds like you spent over $2,000....I'm even considering driving her back to Minnesota for my $20 hour mechanic to work on

[wcoates]

Jim my MSG was a daily driver for years and the rubber parts on both her front and back have been replaced. Many of us have been faced with the problem. Thank God for the Ford ESP.

Any body looking to buy a well cared for Bird and can find an ESP still in place should buy asap IMHO!

[4LOWBIRDS+7]

I have some good ones and some bad ones. I have replaced lots of them, but only when they clunk or squeak. Drive the wheels off until you hear a noise.

[ISSYRO]

You don’’t mention the rear bushings which presumably most follow the course of the front ones. I too have replaced most all of my Bushings in a car with 124k miles, which has hit most of us because of the age of the cars. Now I did it because I have done them all in my garage and the cost had been minimal as I don’t charge myself labor! I’f you are handy with automotive fixings and use “”You Tube”” as a guide it is well worth it. On the other hand if you want to save the money and have to pay for replacements and labor only change when they clonk or squeak. Well said Ron....

[MikeB6]

My '04 has 34,000, so like Greg, I believe I'll get them fixed (replaced) when they make noise. Maybe when the new tires get rotated for the first time, I can have a look at the rubber parts for piece of mind.

[RustyFrye]

........and all the rubbers are bad. .........

Perhaps next time you will skip the dollar store and go to a reputable pharmacy.....

[4LOWBIRDS+7]

Remember the rubber boots break first, way before the bushings are gone.

[BLACK BEAUTY]

if tight don't worry..be happy! Just saw a '48 Lincoln Conti..V12

[TNtbird]

Curious, can these parts be replaced with poly bushings instead of rubber? When I serviced my 73 vette I went all poly.

[edward301]

Do not think you have that option. When I replaced all my suspension parts there are many
sources to buy from, but none offered poly. Good rubber, but don’t think it was poly.

All the parts were about $706.00

[dcrichards]

I bought my "02 (sold last year-a boat with wheels) in 09 with 22,000 miles, had it inspected, and got an extended warranty. One year later, I took it in and ALL suspension bushings, etc had to be replaced front and rear. If I had not had the extended warranty, would have cost over $2,000 at the time.

Story. I have an Accura and a Toyota. I have put 100,000 miles on each. In the 9 years I owned the 02 Bird, I put about 35,000 miles on the car. I spend more money on the Bird than on the other two cars combined (200,000 miles).

Sounds like you have a lemon like I did. My advise is sell the car. The first loss is the best loss.

[edward301]

I have enjoyed my 02, have had it since new. The suspension parts, ac compressor, and fuel
pump all I have had to fix so far.

[Howlandd]

Had all the front sway bar bushings replaced in Sep 2016 by my local mechanic. Parts were $46 and labor was $102. He also inspected all rubber parts and bushings front and back. He reported all is well but the rear bushings would be needing replacing soon but "not yet". I had this work done because I could hear the front end "moaning" when I pulled out of the garage. Mine is an 02 and at that time it had 30k on it. I now have 40+K and still going strong.

[Dennis45]

Had all the front sway bar bushings replaced in Sep 2016 by my local mechanic. Parts were $46 and labor was $102. He also inspected all rubber parts and bushings front and back. He reported all is well but the rear bushings would be needing replacing soon but "not yet". I had this work done because I could hear the front end "moaning" when I pulled out of the garage. Mine is an 02 and at that time it had 30k on it. I now have 40+K and still going strong.

Just completed my winter full meal deal inspection on my Merlot. The only "Bushings" that were bad were the front Sway Bar Bushings. These are the ones that cause the suspension to squeak going over speed bumps etc. As you can see in my photo, they don't really wear out, they simply dry out and start to bond onto the shaft.
The two front bushings are fairly easy to replace. I paid $25 CDN for a pair of Moog bushings. My two days of Old Guy Labor was free. The beer was not free but a necessary commodity of course.
The two rear bushings are another story. Mine aren't making a noise so they will stay put. I suspect Howland's mechanic figured this out and came to the same conclusion as I did.

The rest of the suspension bushings are for the front/rear, upper/lower control arms. Sixteen in total. In my case they were all in good condition with lots of life left. No signs of rot. Replacement individual bushings can be had but they are from a Chinese supplier and I don't trust Made in China when it comes to stuff like this. If they need to be replaced it's best to replace the control arm assembliesfrom a reputable supplier.

The Rubber Parts referred to in this thread are the boots for the suspension links, ball joints, upper control arm joint and tie rod ends which hold the grease in next to the joint, And, keep water and debris from attacking the ball and socket of the joint. Neglecting these parts will eventually result in failure of the joint and possibly your baby going off into the weeds. Not good.....

I removed all of these joints. Peeled away the rotten rubber and old grease. Washed the joints throughly and inspected for wear. Everyone was tight and like new as I would expect with only 30K on them. To replace all of these joints would likely run into a few hundred dollars. So, rather than replace the assemblies, I ordered a full set of boots from an eBay supplier in Bulgaria. About six weeks later, and about $100 US, they arrived postage free and appear to be as good or possibly better than the OEM boots. So over the next two or three weeks I reassembled each link with the new boots and grease. More beer,,,
While I was at it, I replaced all four brake rotors and brake pads. More beer,,,,,

As soon as our winter weather subsides I will take her to my local Ford Dealer for a four wheel alignment and we are ready for a summer of cruising.
It has been an entertaining winter.