sdpatt
Sr. SHO Engr.
[Edit: Sorry, but I obviously placed this post in the incorrect topic]
It has been quite some time since my SHO has asked for any attention and I am thankful for that as the newborn at the house has kept us all quite busy (and sleepless). I had noticed over the last couple of weeks that the car was not tracking as surely on the highway as it usually did. I was also hearing little "clunks" from the passenger side front suspension as I slowly moved over small bumps or let out the clutch as I changed from forward to reverse or vice-versa.
A quick inspection and prying on the passenger side upper strut nut revealed that there was more free play in the strut mount than there should have been. I used the Forum's search function and quickly found a post that copied Josh Tiexiera's (SHO NUT) discussion of the Ford part numbers and history of the Ford fitments for the strut mounts and bearings.
After a visit to various parts sources on the internet and a good idea of the price to beat, I made a few calls to local parts houses. I conveniently located a strut mount at my nearby Ford dealership and willingly paid the few extra dollars to have the part in hand for a repair this evening.
When released from my fatherly duties, I spent about an hour and a half to replace the passenger side front strut mount and ensure all else was well with the suspension at that corner of the car. I cleaned and relubricated the strut bearing and tie rod end, cleaned the strut, coil spring, bearing plate and inside of the strut tower. I then reapplied the silicone grease that I use to keep the upper spring pad from squeaking against the inside of the strut tower (due to the outboard location of the strut to get the camber in spec with the Eibach springs).
All went back together smoothly and the test drive revealed another SHO service job had been successfully completed. An entry was made on page 35 of my SHO maintenance log (many extra pages have been added) at mileage mark 280,845 and I realized that I had somewhat missed getting intimate with my SHO. That might also be because a post partum wife prevents me from getting... oh, never mind. The SHO, it's more than just a hobby. wink
<small>[ November 05, 2003, 08:38 AM: Message edited by: sdpatt ]</small>
It has been quite some time since my SHO has asked for any attention and I am thankful for that as the newborn at the house has kept us all quite busy (and sleepless). I had noticed over the last couple of weeks that the car was not tracking as surely on the highway as it usually did. I was also hearing little "clunks" from the passenger side front suspension as I slowly moved over small bumps or let out the clutch as I changed from forward to reverse or vice-versa.
A quick inspection and prying on the passenger side upper strut nut revealed that there was more free play in the strut mount than there should have been. I used the Forum's search function and quickly found a post that copied Josh Tiexiera's (SHO NUT) discussion of the Ford part numbers and history of the Ford fitments for the strut mounts and bearings.
After a visit to various parts sources on the internet and a good idea of the price to beat, I made a few calls to local parts houses. I conveniently located a strut mount at my nearby Ford dealership and willingly paid the few extra dollars to have the part in hand for a repair this evening.
When released from my fatherly duties, I spent about an hour and a half to replace the passenger side front strut mount and ensure all else was well with the suspension at that corner of the car. I cleaned and relubricated the strut bearing and tie rod end, cleaned the strut, coil spring, bearing plate and inside of the strut tower. I then reapplied the silicone grease that I use to keep the upper spring pad from squeaking against the inside of the strut tower (due to the outboard location of the strut to get the camber in spec with the Eibach springs).
All went back together smoothly and the test drive revealed another SHO service job had been successfully completed. An entry was made on page 35 of my SHO maintenance log (many extra pages have been added) at mileage mark 280,845 and I realized that I had somewhat missed getting intimate with my SHO. That might also be because a post partum wife prevents me from getting... oh, never mind. The SHO, it's more than just a hobby. wink
<small>[ November 05, 2003, 08:38 AM: Message edited by: sdpatt ]</small>
