New SFBs installed - What a Difference!!

[projectSHO89]

Got the new SFBs in yesterday and installed them today. At Paul's (SHOZ123) suggestion, I ordered Gen III upper and lower SFBs for all four corners. Total cost was about $75 including UPS Ground.

Took a little over an hour and a half, since the old bushings all had the four nuts to remove. Got the new ones in (a Dremel came in handy for removing the extra ridges on the lower pieces), torqued them in, and took the car for a short ride.

Night and day difference! Most of the really goofy steering feedback in turns is gone, the torque steer sensation wasn't noticeable, the clunking and chunking from the steering is gone... The car feels a whole lot better now. I'll go on a long freeway ride tomorrow and see how the manners have changed at highway speeds.

The old bushings really don't look terribly worn. However, I did notice that there was play between the body and the sub-frame when the car body was lowered onto the jackstands with the jack under the sub-frame.

I guess it was a long overdue repair!

Steve

 

[Mr Anonymous]

Do you have the P/N's handy? Who'd you get them from for the $75?

Tnx!

 

[RStalveyARFF]

Torrie quoted me like 48, something in that ballpark for all 4. At least I told him 4 Gen III rear subframe bushings.

 

[shojuan]

Yes, please post the part numbers and quantities Steve.

Rick

 

[projectSHO89]

F6DZ-5400396-A Upper Half List $11.07
YF1Z-5400155-AA Lower Half List $10.88

You need four (4) of each to do all 4 corners. You also need 4 good subframe bolts and washers. These are included in the recall kit XF1Z-5A364-AA List $14.10. You will need two of these kits unless 1)you already had the recall done recently and your rear bolts are in good condition or 2)you plan on using your old bolts and don't care what condition they are in(/sarcasm mode off/). My rear bolts were only a couple months old since the recall was done recently. I had to go to the local Ford store and bought a kit for about $16.50 including taxes. The kit contains two each of the following: bolt, washer, body nut, rubber floor plug.

Parts were purchased from www.fordpartsonline.com . I can't give them high marks on prompt shipping as they were having difficulties with the password e-mail system so my order sat in limbo for 5 days until I called in and inquired about it. Once a live person got involved it was handled and shipped promptly, so they do get credit for that.

My total cost from them including a $7.00 shipping charge was $73.20. Another $16.50 from the local store.

Steve
Steve

<small>[ March 14, 2003, 10:42 AM: Message edited by: projectSHO89 ]</small>

 

[shojuan]

Thanks Steve!

Rick

 

[SHOMurph]

Did you have to drill into the floorboard like the recall said or did you just take off the bolts and put the new ones on?

I'm about to do this and kinda confused.

Thanks,

 

[projectSHO89]

The hole in the floorboard is for the purpose of installing the new replacement nuts. If your car is covered under the terms of the recall, this is a free repair by Ford. They will drill the holes, remove the old bolts, remove the old nuts, install the new bolts with the large washer, plug the holes in the floorboard, and hopefully put it back together without screwing anything up.

If you are not in the rust belt, you do not need the recall performed per Ford and NTHSA. In this case, it's just a matter of removing the bolts from the bottom and putting everything back together.

My car had just had the recall done this summer, so rear SFB hardware was new.

Steve

<small>[ October 30, 2002, 08:53 AM: Message edited by: projectSHO89 ]</small>

 

[SHOMurph]

Cool...thanks for the info.

I live in Texas so I'll just drop dem puppies in.

Thanks

 

[Trojan Man]

How do I go about checking to see if my car had the recall done? And if it hasn't how do I go about getting it done?

Thanks

-Adam

 

[luigisho]

Adam, if you pull up the carpet on either side up front there should be holes drilled in the floorpan to install hew hardware. There should be rubber plugs where the holes were drilled. If not you can get it done at a local Ford dealer. Not sure if new bushings are included in the recall or just the mounting hardware.

 

[Trojan Man]

Well I pulled up the carpet and there were no plugs in it anywhere. I then called Ford, gave them my VIN, and they said there are no current recalls. I'm thinking they lied to me? Guess I'll personally drive over there.

I really hope this is what my problem is. I posted a problem about my steering a few weeks ago, and no one really had any ideas. From what I've read about this recall, it sounds like it will cause similiar problems to what I am expieriencing.

Thanks

-Adam

 

[Trojan Man]

Quick question... about how far away is the hole from the drivers side rocker panel? I went about as far over as the gas pedal, but maybe it's over even further?

 

[luigisho]

Not sure. look under the car at the rear subframe mounts/bushings and up to the floor pan above is where I would assume they would be.

FYI recall # 98V323000 or Safety recall 98S36 for 86-95 Taurus and Sable in the recall area (salted roads)- State of NY is included in recall.

<small>[ October 30, 2002, 11:26 AM: Message edited by: luigisho ]</small>

 

[SHOMurph]

According to the instructions on my recall kit....

if you had the recall there should be a rubber seal right under your clutch/brake pedal on the floorpan. The rubber seal is about 2.5 inches in diameter so it should be easy to see. It might be easier to see if you pull up the carpet. Dunno

If it isn't there then you haven't had the recall.

<small>[ October 30, 2002, 11:45 AM: Message edited by: SHOMurph ]</small>

 

[Trojan Man]

Well it's definitly not there. Guess I'll have to take a drive over to the local Ford dealer to see what's up.

Thanks guys!

-Adam

 

[projectSHO89]

BTW, the SFBs are NOT included in the recall.

No matter what their condition, the Ford dealer will simply reinstall the old SFB with the new hardware.

However, it's real easy to remove freshly installed bolts.

I posted the link to both subframe mounting hardware recalls a couple weeks ago. A SEARCH should bring it up. If in doubt, print it out and take it to the dealer along wih your car. Ford picks up eligible vehicles from state registration records, so there may be a lag for a newly registered or imported (into that state) vehicle.

Steve

<small>[ October 30, 2002, 02:39 PM: Message edited by: projectSHO89 ]</small>