Front and rear bushings

[DuffyF56]

Re: Front and rear bushings

Ed,

I was only repeating the noted information on Rockauto.com. They are the ones that indicated the arms did not come with ball joints. I thought it was unusual but had no picture of the part to verify. Won't be the first time though their info was proven to be wrong.

[maskedman]

Re: Front and rear bushings

Napa shows a front lower ball joint on their website.
I think Ford changed the stud diameter on it midstream somewhere, because they are showing two different nut sizes for it

The guys on an LS forum were doing some front lower ball joint replacing.

It happens.

A ball joint or tie rod end with a torn or split boot or gaiter will not last as long as one that is still sealed.

[rpatton3]

Re: Front and rear bushings

There are rear suspension pieces on ebay but I don't want to buy something I don't need. I might not be able to be get this when I do need it. What do you guys think? http://www.ebay.com/itm/2002-2005-Th...ea569a&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-Thunder...71000950426%26



Our 2002 has 5,000 miles but heat might be what gets rubber.

[DuffyF56]

Re: Front and rear bushings

Be VERY careful buying suspension parts you can't identify the mfr. for. There is some REAL junk being sold and given the labor to replace some of these parts, you don't want to be doing it every couple of years.

[maskedman]

Re: Front and rear bushings

Russell,

Duffy's right.

I took a chance on the parts from suspensionpartsplus ( the first link you show)
The rear toe links were bent. I sent them back for a refund but had to pay the shipping myself.

I ordered Ford parts from TeamFord.

I don't think suspension parts will dry up as soon as trim & body parts because they are common to the Lincoln LS an Jags.

Regards

Larry

[DuffyF56]

Re: Front and rear bushings

Ford does durability tests for the parts they sell. There are certain suppliers they will "qualify" or certify to make their parts. As an example TRW was a certified OEM supplier. They made several of the suspension pieces on the 89-97 version of the T-Bird. Now....Moog never was a certified OEM supplier. Since that time TRW came under the same Federal Mogul umbrella as Moog so I don't know what their current status is. A lot of the eBay parts I have seen come from China and I would bet that not one of them have had durability tests done on them. They were likely reverse engineered (read copied) and are of doubtful quality.

[maskedman]

Re: Front and rear bushings

Ford does durability tests for the parts they sell. There are certain suppliers they will "qualify" or certify to make their parts. As an example TRW was a certified OEM supplier. They made several of the suspension pieces on the 89-97 version of the T-Bird. Now....Moog never was a certified OEM supplier. Since that time TRW came under the same Federal Mogul umbrella as Moog so I don't know what their current status is. A lot of the eBay parts I have seen come from China and I would bet that not one of them have had durability tests done on them. They were likely reverse engineered (read copied) and are of doubtful quality.

The Moog front outer tie rod ends and rear stabilizer links are Mexican.

I see a lot of rail road cars full of vehicles coming north from Mexico here in Texas.

Regards

[Skip]

Re: Front and rear bushings

No postings on this thread in over one year. Has anyone had any recent experiences with boots and bushings they can share?

[BLACK BEAUTY]

Re: Front and rear bushings

So come on you people with the brains left..are these parts OK??????????http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Rear-2-Front-Stabilizer-Bar-Links-for-2000-2006-Ford-Thunderbird-Lincoln-LS/141027827906?_trksid=p2045573.c100034.m2102&_trkpa rms=aid%3D555012%26algo%3DPW.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D 21022%26meid%3D6312319423531179585%26pid%3D100034% 26prg%3D9336%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D8%26sd%3D14098251763 0So these are no good? Then how about these you experts http://www.ebay.com/itm/191030088201...84.m1423.l2649

[phil]

Re: Front and rear bushings

I had to replace my at 16k. Dealer said they just rot from age, not always the miles. Glad I had extended warranty, only cost me the sales tax.

[2bad4u]

Re: Front and rear bushings

I am suspecting that it might comes from the heat (weather) within your area. Rubber does not like heat. Maybe a poll from various area including Canada might tell us an indication about the issue because it appears that the milleage has nothing to do with. This is my point of view to give you some ideas to troubleshoot where the problem is and comes from.

[Cashr22]

South Texas ,98,000 miles, lots of heat-no problems

[Rays 007 #15]

Re: Front and rear bushings

My 2003 007 has a squeak coming from the rear. Could this be a bushing going bad? Took it to my Ford Dealer and they could find nothing.

Ray

[HKS]

Re: Front and rear bushings

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Rear-2-Front-Stabilizer-Bar-Links-for-2000-2006-Ford-Thunderbird-Lincoln-LS/141027827906?_trksid=p2045573.c100034.m2102&_trkpa rms=aid%3D555012%26algo%3DPW.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D 21022%26meid%3D6312319423531179585%26pid%3D100034% 26prg%3D9336%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D8%26sd%3D14098251763 0So these are no good? Then how about these you experts http://www.ebay.com/itm/191030088201...84.m1423.l2649

It says 2 front, 2 rear stabilizer links. Do you need 4 to replace both sides?

HKS

[Rondor]

Re: Front and rear bushings

I haven't had to do any suspension repairs on any vehicle in 40 years. We are talking over 20 cars and trucks.