Thunderbird Maintenance

[EllisonCal]

You're right again! Captain Jean-Luc Picard 1987 first appearance "Encounter at Farpoint" . I also like 7 0f 9, may have
been the spray-on costume.

[Frank Dreano]

Well - back to T-Bird maintenance; my 31,000 mile 2002 I've owned for 30 months has started getting a front engine bay "tick" in it. It began just when cold and then abated when the car warmed up. Now its more pronounced and doesn't stop, although it gets quieter after driving. I don't think its anything with the hydraulic fan (which I dread dealing with). Sounds like a lifter sticking or the like. Gonna run it a couple of hundred miles with a dose of Marvel Mystery Oil then change the oil and filter and hope it heals itself; else its off to the local Ford dealer for a diagnosis. The car hasn't been driven enough IMO to have such an issue but we'll see.

There is an outside chance the noise "tick" is an exhaust leak which would prob be better than an internal engine issue.

[Virginia_PCR]

4 years ago I bought my 2004 TR Tbird with a little over 28,000 miles. I decided to replace the front struts because it just didn't feel as good as my 2005, which had its struts replaced a few years earlier. Made a big difference in handling. This year I had the rear shocks changed at my Ford dealer when the car had 40,000 miles. The ride is improved mostly noticeable when cornering on exit ramps where it corners flat as can be, for a non sport car. I discovered how bad the originals were on the first exit at 10 mph faster than the signs posted on the ramp.

I'm wondering how much it cost for a set of struts and labor, since you took it to a dealer, generally. I'm at 30K+ and do feel a bit different in cornering as well.

[EllisonCal]

I'm wondering how much it cost for a set of struts and labor, since you took it to a dealer, generally. I'm at 30K+ and do feel a bit different in cornering as well.

I had the rear shocks done in May of this year at Jones Ford in North Charleston, total parts and labor $592.06 all together. Had Monroe Quickstrt Front struts installed there in January of 2019 for $885.95 including a 4 wheel alignment, tax etc. included. It really made the car drive much more like new. My '04 will be 18 years old on September 23, 2021 so I want her (Roxy) to run like a new car not an old lady. I just try to show Roxy a little love. This morning it rained here and she got a little wet, so naturally I dried her off when I put her back in the garage! She's happy now.

[BLACK BEAUTY]

Nice Cal me too, I've put over 3 grand in mine in the last year. This afternoon our retros are invited to dinner with the Classic Tirds...

[Gobird]

Never had my struts replaced but probably need to after 19 years of ownership and 135,000 miles. But I have had all fluids change 3 times over 19 years.

[RustyFrye]

This afternoon our retros are invited to dinner with the Classic Tirds...

The Olympics are on. The ball is set perfectly above the net. Is someone going to spike it?

[007Cruiser]

I'm wondering how much it cost for a set of struts and labor, since you took it to a dealer, generally. I'm at 30K+ and do feel a bit different in cornering as well.

Why wonder? Get an estimate from your favorite shop.

[007Cruiser]

The Olympics are on. The ball is set perfectly above the net. Is someone going to spike it?

Not I. You usually handle this sort of light work.

[Fredrik73]

Fredrik,
I have 135,000 United airline miles to spend.
I could pay for your trip to see the USA and me. You could let me know what needs fixing on my 2002.
Hermann

Hi Hermann
Sorry for not ansering earlier it has bin a hot Summer and now i have started to work agen after four weeks vacation so now everything is back to normal.
Thank you for THE invite to see you and your car That would be verry fun, but im not an expert on those cars thats why i need all my TBN friends
but IF you need some One to kick on tyres i go hihihi
/Fredrik

[ISSYRO]

Why wonder? Get an estimate from your favorite shop.

. I had all four corners done (Struts) with my local mechanic and saved a ton of money. Whether a dealer or a local installs them, WHY; spend your hard earned money at a Dealership. They have no special magic that makes them better installers, especially when it comes to suspension parts.

[Fredrik73]

I think we should send Fredrik on a cross country tour. He can even bring his lovely bride and daughter along for the ride.

Hihi that would be nice and i need to travel over THE sea to buy new parts for My Bird. I just cant find any here and its too expensive to ship to Sweden.
and it would be Great to show Up on a TBN Cruiseand meet members

[Fredrik73]

My bird is verry bouncy in front suspension (hard)