Oh crap... Subframe bushing right? (Pix included)

[WILL SHO U]

Ok so i just spent about $300 on 60k stuff because my car was shifting funny, so i bought numerous sensors, plugs, wires, etc. I also bought front rotors. Well I went to install the rotors first and here is what I see:

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To give you a better idea, this is what I could do:

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I don't know how long it has been like this. The other side is fine. Im thinking my busted tie rod end and PS fluid everywhere might have contributed to this, either that or it was the hunk of median I hit at about 40mph a month or 2 ago (it was raining). Please help, I would hate to put all this stuff in there and find some irreversible damage.I could have been driving on this for a couple weeks is there anything else I should look for?

 

[Devin]

Passenger rear SFB?

 

[SHObill]

So you knew you hit something,that you have a BUSTED tie rod end & REALLY leaking PS tank/hose & your car is 'shifting funny'! Then you go out & buy $300 worth of "sensors, plugs, wires, etc" ! How does that relate to what you KNOW is bad!
Just pocket change I guess.
Either the SF bolt broke or it removed itself from neglect or you tore the SF pocket out & that let the SF bushing pull through. Maybe your lucky & lost the SF bolt or you will need the SF replaced or welded up. This is one of the reasons this Forum is here-do not spend $$ untill you inspect & ask/search!
You have a 13 year old car & regularly ,like when you change your oil, roll around underneath & look stuff over from frt to back. AND to quote you-"when your pushing 140, anything could happen." You have a death wish!??
Please -Maintenance before play!

 

[WILL SHO U]

i havnt got a chance to play yet im working on maintenance i didnt see anything wrong after i hit the block i have aked a lot of questions and get many different responses so i dont know what to fix first. how can i clarify what you said SHO Bill you gave many options. i can clarify in two seconds if you tell me what to look for i love my sho BTW and would never abuse, im just trying to fix it... dont be so harsh

 

[SHObill]

Sorry if you think that was harsh. Guess I'm a little grumpy-some say Crusty! LOL I see your working on it & asking ?'s- Good man. Get the frt end up on jack stands-use the uni-body rails under the seats not the SF. Get a light,floorjack & call me on your cell. That way you can tell me exactly what you see on the SF so we can diagnose the extent of damage, which is your first priority as you can not drive her that way! 248-842-5911 Bill

 

[WILL SHO U]

are you available tomorrow? I dont have a garage and it is getting dark here I wont be able to get it in the air until tomorrow. i really appreciate your help man, I am trying.

 

[SHObill]

Here to serve! Just call me before you set it up. Where are you located? "US" is a bit vague.

 

[itwonder]

That will certainly cause the problems you describe! Drivers side rear bushing? It looks like an original style bushing that has just fallen apart. It should be straightforward to remove it, clean up the area, and see if anything is damaged. Replace it with the '96 bushing, which is an upgrade. You can order from fastpartsnetwork.com . Need one upper insulator PN F6DZ-5400396-A and one lower insulator YF1Z-5400155-AA per corner. Also order new bolts. Not horribly expensive parts. You should replace both sides, doing one at a time. It's a good idea to replace the front ones too, but those bolts sometimes seize and that can become a project. You could leave those alone for now if they are not broken.

 

[WILL SHO U]

im in indiana

 

[SHObill]

Bob, your SF looks brand new!!! WOW! You've been doing some painting!
Thats Will's rear pass SF mount. Looking at the pic again I see some of the ring left from the upper so maybe he just lost the SF bolt & lower bushing a new set of rear bushings is all it needs. Will, you need to see if the bolt is there (look at other side) & if the recall has been done-pull up the carpet & check tomorrow

 

[itwonder]

Bob, your SF looks brand new!!! WOW! You've been doing some painting!
Thats Will's rear pass SF mount. Looking at the pic again I see some of the ring left from the upper so maybe he just lost the SF bolt & lower bushing a new set of rear bushings is all it needs. Will, you need to see if the bolt is there (look at other side) & if the recall has been done-pull up the carpet & check tomorrow

Thanks for the complement Bill! I just had to clean off the 15 years of grime, prime, and paint that subframe before I could put it in. It's for self preservation...I was tired of the stuff on it dropping in my face every time I was under the car!

Will - If you are not familiar with the recall, what you do is pull up your carpet and pad at the passenger's foot space. Look for a 2-1/2" rubber plug, not on the flat part of the floor, but on the slanted part going toward the firewall. Remove that plug, and you will be able to see the subframe bushing nut.

 

[WILL SHO U]

And if the recall is not there, what should I do? Is it hard to do by yourself?

Also what else should I check for, because I dont know how long its been like this

 

[SHObill]

Take it to your local dealer & make them do it cause its a Safety recall along with the CruiseControl switch on the bottom of the master clyinder.

 

[WILL SHO U]

The recall is not done and the subframe bolt is still there. It looks like the bushing just broke off around the bolt. Will the dealer fix my bushing since the recall was not done?

 

[itwonder]

The recall is not done and the subframe bolt is still there. It looks like the bushing just broke off around the bolt. Will the dealer fix my bushing since the recall was not done?

I would call the dealer tomorrow and ask. Have your VIN handy. They will be able to look up your VIN and see if the recall was done or not. If it has not been done, they will probably contact the zone rep to get approval to do it. Since it's a safety recall, my bet is they will take care of it at no cost to you. They may tell you the car should be towed in and not driven car until it's fixed. They will probably install the original style bushing since, for Ford, an upgrade to '96 bushings is not something that is approved practice. I suppose you could ask though, and show them the notes from this Forum. But even original bushings will be a major improvement from what you have now!

 

[WILL SHO U]

whats the opinion on the aluminum SF bushings from ShoBros, I noticed they are around $100 and the 96 upgrade is around $100, would it be better to get the aluminum ones, since I'm upgrading should I do it to the max?

 

[greenbeanmtx]

Its hard to tell in the pics but to me it looks like the part of the subframe that the bushing mounts to broke off and is on the top portion of whats left of the bushing. Are my eyes playing games with me there?

 

[WILL SHO U]

I took it to the stealer today, they gonna fix it all, my bushings, the subframe, and even my power steering leak I mentioned, got lucky its the same side the SF broke. The guy did say, "anything the SF broke we will replace", so I used it to my full advantage, I love free stuff, also doing the cruise control recall too. SWEET! Thanks to everyone for the input, I was about to buy the parts and do this myself, I saved a lot of time and money with your guys help. Thanks again.

 

['94SHO]

Anybody in Rhode Island have this done?? suggestions?

 

[WILL SHO U]

Have your VIN handy go to:
http://genuineservice.com/genuineservice/en/default?page=Home

Click RECALLS on the left side to see if it is done. If not, use the same site to find a dealer near you, call them, they will check and tell you to bring it in. As Bill stated, it is a safety recall and will cost you nothin