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  • Front and rear bushings

    I posted a few days ago regarding being 'ripped-off" by a local Ford dealer. Turns out I was wrong and glad I didn't mention the name. Turns out that ALL bushings in the front-end and back-end had rotted/deteriorated so that all had to be replaced. Service rep said he had NEVER seen this. The car is an 02 with 25,800 miles. The extended warranty covered the front-end. I'm carrying the Bird to a nondealer mechanic to replace all the rear-end bushings in order to save money. Anyone else had this problem?
    Alexander Hamilton started the U.S. Treasury with nothing, and that was the closest our country has ever been to being even. Will Rogers

  • #2
    Re: Front and rear bushings

    I started a thread about this last year. I replaced the rears as they were totally shot, but I had no complaint as my car has 82K on it. Yours proves that keeping the mileage low doesn't make a difference, it's time that deteriorated these things, not miles.
    Unbelivable TBN trips including ALL of the lower 48 States plus 9 Canadian Provinces, 8 European Countries, 3 Caribbean Countries, Countless National Parks and have attended well over 100 TBN Events since 2001 and counting. Best of all ... fabulous friends.

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    • #3
      Re: Front and rear bushings

      ....Just wondering what the 'Bird was doing to suggest that the front and rear bushings needed replacing? How was that diagnosed? and what did they look like?.....

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      • #4
        Re: Front and rear bushings

        Car was doing nothing. Up on the rack, I saw it and it was obvious that ALL the bushings had rotted. Would flake off when touched and you could see the metal underneath.
        Alexander Hamilton started the U.S. Treasury with nothing, and that was the closest our country has ever been to being even. Will Rogers

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        • #5
          Re: Front and rear bushings

          So...what are bushings?
          Sometimes Birds travel far...
          Dutch T-Bird
          tbirdregistry.com No. 27947

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          • #6
            Re: Front and rear bushings

            Basically, they are rubber "spacers" between moving metal parts of suspension, including tie rod ends and control arms in the front-end. Depending upon what and where, they are about the size of a half-dollar and up to 1/2 inch thick. I'm not a mechanic, but generally familiar with this "stuff". There are I believe 8 bushings in the rear end on the upper and lower control arms and other linkage. This is the extent of my kinowledge. Please add to this comment, you guys that know more than I do. If I'm wrong in my explanation, that's OK. Our goal is to inform. I won't be offended.
            Last edited by dcrichards; Jul 15, 2009, 03:01 PM.
            Alexander Hamilton started the U.S. Treasury with nothing, and that was the closest our country has ever been to being even. Will Rogers

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            • #7
              Re: Front and rear bushings

              Also, the Ford dealer wanted $2300 to replace all the bushings in the rear. I'm going to another mechanic for a cheaper install.
              Alexander Hamilton started the U.S. Treasury with nothing, and that was the closest our country has ever been to being even. Will Rogers

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              • #8
                Re: Front and rear bushings

                Thanks David, now it's clear what they are. Just was not familiar with the word bushings. I will have mine checked next service interval
                Sometimes Birds travel far...
                Dutch T-Bird
                tbirdregistry.com No. 27947

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                • #9
                  Re: Front and rear bushings

                  Should add, that at some point you'll have metal on metal and noise. Also BAD tire wear.
                  Alexander Hamilton started the U.S. Treasury with nothing, and that was the closest our country has ever been to being even. Will Rogers

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                  • #10
                    Re: Front and rear bushings

                    Here's a picture of my rear bushings. BTW, it cost me about $400 to replace both sides. They had to replace the whole arm, but that's a far cry from $2300. YIKES!!!!

                    Unbelivable TBN trips including ALL of the lower 48 States plus 9 Canadian Provinces, 8 European Countries, 3 Caribbean Countries, Countless National Parks and have attended well over 100 TBN Events since 2001 and counting. Best of all ... fabulous friends.

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                    • #11
                      Re: Front and rear bushings

                      No doubt the dealership was going to take advantage of me, without vaseline.
                      Alexander Hamilton started the U.S. Treasury with nothing, and that was the closest our country has ever been to being even. Will Rogers

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                      • #12
                        Re: Front and rear bushings

                        If this is a common problem.........has anyone asked about the availability of any "poly" bushings to replace the stock rubber bushings?
                        Last edited by MerlotBlue; Jul 16, 2009, 08:35 AM.

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                        • #13
                          Re: Front and rear bushings

                          Many years ago there was a product that came in a spray can that was made just for the purpose of lubricating and extending the life of those bushings. I believe it was called "rub-r-lube". It worked good and it also stopped them from squeaking.

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                          • #14
                            Re: Front and rear bushings

                            David....why wouldn't the warranty cover the rear?

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                            • #15
                              Re: Front and rear bushings

                              Originally posted by Salprint View Post
                              Many years ago there was a product that came in a spray can that was made just for the purpose of lubricating and extending the life of those bushings. I believe it was called "rub-r-lube". It worked good and it also stopped them from squeaking.
                              Sal, Many years ago I had a second job in a service station, When we did a lube job, we used to spray all rubber parts we could see under the car, with the same spray that we use today to protect and keep our rubber hardtop gasket plyable and freash.

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