Front and rear bushings

[Leroy]

Re: Front and rear bushings

I would think one thing that would cause the rubber bushings to rot would be road salt and or the mixture of water and oil that's on the highways or a combination of both. My bushings on my 04 are in excellant shape, but I don't drive the car in the rain or in the Winter. I believe spraying them with a protective spray would increase the life of them if you're going to expose them to these adverse conditions. Leroy

[tbird6t4]

Re: Front and rear bushings

Just an observation here, but it appears that the people reporting this problem live in States with ocean exposure.

Could it be, salt air?

Gord R.

[DavidA]

Re: Front and rear bushings

Nope -- I live in Tennessee. No salt air here.

[billm]

Re: Front and rear bushings

This is the first I have heard of Tbirds bushings deteriorating so badly. I am wondering how many folks in the TBN have Tbirds that have had this problem to date?

[BilboBaggins]

Re: Front and rear bushings

When I bought my '04 I had a friend of the family (who coincidentally is a ford mechanic) take a look at the car and had asked him about what I had read on this website regarding 'dry rot' of the rubber wear/cracking like this. His words of wisdom were that the southern climates (i.e. Texas) are particularly hard on rubber and that infrequently driven cars are espescially hard hit since rubber maintains its consistency better when it is used/stretched/etc... On the flip side of course the northern climates are hit by the salt and snow and rust... He also recommended buying a silicone spray and hitting the bushings with that as you have all pointed out. I just bought something from the hardware store, no special brand, and have sprayed mine with that.

[snowbird]

Re: Front and rear bushings

Just my humble opinion. Ocean side cars rust from the top down. Snow salt cars rust from the bottom up. Only the metal will rust. (it's called "inter-granular separation of the molecules"). I have driven / owned all types of cars for over the years and in salt conditions every winter and that has never affected the bushings. If indeed the bushings that are giving trouble are rubber, then the manufacturer of same may have had problems with the composition and durometer of certain batches of the material (rubber). This situation could cause problems under extreme temperatures and stress on bushings. There would be the reason perhaps , that it is only certain years and or even months of production.
If the bushings are rubber composition, and you want to spray them, make sure the material you use does not contain any "hydrocarbon" as that will eat up rubber quicker than anything . (gasoline, grease etc. contain hydrocarbon).
MartinB.

[sdman]

Re: Front and rear bushings

All of mine front and rear are shot. Need to get replaces also. Car has 24500 miles on it.

[CaliforniaBird]

Re: Front and rear bushings

Well, this all just explained what the creaking noise is when I drive over a speed bump, creaks like my knees on a bad day! I have 15,000 on my 04 and don't live near the ocean, nor has the car ever seen any salt so I assume time has done the number on mine. I did get an extended warranty on it, hope it covers the problem.

[Wheats]

Re: Front and rear bushings

Just purchased an 04 with 27000 miles that was used by a part time resident and yes all the bushings are shot (Iknew this before i purchased it.)

[bwlewis]

Re: Front and rear bushings

Bought our '03 new. It's not a daily driver, I have a "company" car. 38K miles and garage kept, but still driven year round. Checked the bushings when the tires were rotated yesterday...no problems.

[Vintage Merlot]

Re: Front and rear bushings

This thread sent me and our '04 to my trusted tire/alignment shop. I have used them extensively for tires and alignments for 15 years. Checked everything throughout the suspension system. Found one small crack in one of the boots. Nothing else. Car has 53,000 miles +

[Bill Brown]

Re: Front and rear bushings

Well, this all just explained what the creaking noise is when I drive over a speed bump, creaks like my knees on a bad day! I have 15,000 on my 04 and don't live near the ocean, nor has the car ever seen any salt so I assume time has done the number on mine. I did get an extended warranty on it, hope it covers the problem.

Not sure any Extended Warranty Plan would cover anything on a car that was made of rubber. Has anyone tried using their ESP on this problem?

[RS04MERLOT]

Re: Front and rear bushings

My '04 with 12k miles also has the rear bushing (rubber boot) problem. The most deteriorated are the rubber boots on the short vertical stabilizers. Ford parts wants $71 for each one - the boots are not available individually, you have to buy the entire stabilizer rod. The horizontal stabilizers that parallel each axle have better quality boots, but the inner ones are starting to separate. I have the 4 year/48 k ESP and it appears those parts are all included in the warranty. The boots on the drive axles are still like new. The car was just inspected to qualify for the 4/48 ESP in November and it passed with flying colors! Only noted defect were the dry rotted Michelin Pilots which I've replaced. I'm taking it in tomorrow night for the rubber boots on the suspension and the dreaded steering wheel squeak problem. They have already replaced the clockspring on the steering column, but that didn't help. They now promise to follow the TSB's for the fluid additive listed on this site and will replace the steering gear if required. Will post the outcome later this week.

Ray S.

[RS04MERLOT]

Re: Front and rear bushings

Got the car back Saturday morning - The dealer replaced both rear upper arm links and rubber boots plus the rubber boots on both rear stabilizer bars. They did caster, camber and corrected the rear toe in. Front suspension was checked and had no problems. Total charge was $497 and ESP covered all but the $100 deductible. Car is much quieter and makes no noise on bumps - feels a lot more solid. Dealer also corrected the steering wheel squeak with the recommended TSB found on this site. Noise is gone!

[RS04MERLOT]

Re: Front and rear bushings

Not sure any Extended Warranty Plan would cover anything on a car that was made of rubber. Has anyone tried using their ESP on this problem?

See my response # 44 below. - ESP covered the rear boots.