Aging TBirds

[Welker]

My 2004 has nearly 130k miles on it and has experienced just about every problem discussed here. Many parts have been replaced and more than a few of them twice. It still looks great and nearly every time we take it out, somebody will pay it complements. The people who service it are trying to make sure the car outlives me which shouldn't be that difficult since I am almost 87. I have learned not to take the car to the Ford dealer for service. Some years ago I put a long message here detailing the last visit I will ever make to the dealer so I have the car serviced by my Honda dealer....so, here is my question which relates to a message here about returning some of the car body tightness. That message gave the information that the car's platform is an X frame and it can be somehow tightened to make the whole car feel more rigid and returning some of its youthful stability. Does anybody know about that or believe it is, in fact, true?

[007Cruiser]

Yes, there are X braces under the car that can loosen and need retightening. I don’t know the correct torque number but it has been posted here somewhere. I will try to find it.

[007Cruiser]

Lots of information in this thread. Looks like the magic number is 46 ft-lbs.

https://www.thunderbirdnest.com/foru...546-cowl-shake

[Welker]

Many thanks.

[Brad]

The early 2002's had an issue with torque on the X-Frame however still a good idea to check. I suspect the play you feel is suspension related. How long/miles ago have you done the shocks, rear sway bars, control arms, etc.?

www.TbirdBob.com

[Welker]

Sorry to take so long....had the struts replaced at 50 and 100k so they have almost 30k on them now. I hate to spend that kind of money again but it does seem to me to the struts.
They don't have a lot of miles but they are getting old and I never keep a daily driver for much over three years so I might just be comparing the ride to a much newer car. Thanks for the input, Brad.

[DavidA]

I've got 185K on my car and never replaced the struts. I had all the suspension replaced because of worn bushings at about 70K and that has all held up well. The struts should be just fine, especially with only 30K on them so I'd look for a different problem if I were you. My 'X' frames were all loose when the car was new and I do check them from time to time but I've never had to re-torque them since that first time.