Front/Rear Stabilizer Bar Bushings - Squeak/Grunt Noise
88ford03
^ SUSPENSION - FRONT OR REAR - "SQUEAK", "GRUNT" OR "CRUNCH" NOISE FROM
STABILIZER BAR BUSHINGS
^ NOISE - "SQUEAK", "GRUNT" OR "CRUNCH" FROM FRONT OR REAR STABILIZER BAR BUSHINGS
Article No. 88-4-10
FORD: 1985-86 LTD
1985-88 ESCORT, EXP, TEMPO, MUSTANG, THUNDERBIRD, CROWN VICTORIA
1986-88 TAURUS
LINCOLN-MERCURY: 1985-86 CAPRI, MARQUIS
1985-87 LYNX
1985-88 TOPAZ, COUGAR, GRAND MARQUIS, MARK VII, CONTINENTAL, LINCOLN TOWN CAR
1986-88 SABLE
ISSUE: A "squeak" or "grunt" noise from the front or rear stabilizer bar during suspension movement may be caused by the rubber stabilizer bar bushings sticking to the stabilizer bar. A "crunch" noise from the front stabilizer bar bushings may occur on Escort/Lynx and Tempo/Topaz vehicles during hard brake application.
ACTION: To correct these conditions, install two
(2) new stabilizer bar bushings using the following service procedure. Refer to the stabilizer bar bushing application charts on pages 39 through 42 of this TSB for the correct service parts.
"SQUEAK" AND "GRUNT" SERVICE
PROCEDURE
(All Except Escort/Lynx, Tempo/Topaz)
1. By hand, bounce the front and rear of the vehicle about four (4) to six (6) inches. If squeak" or "grunt" is present, proceed to Step 2.
2. Remove stabilizer bar rubber insulators.
3. Clean stabilizer bar with Ford Spot Remover (B7A-19521-AA).
NOTE: On applications with split rubber insulators, only the contact area needs to be cleaned.
4. Lubricate the stabilizer bar from the stabilizer bar end to the insulator contact area with Ford Rubber Insulator Lubricant (E25Y-19553-A).
NOTE: The rear stabilizer bar to body link assemblies are to be re-used on Taurus/Sable station wagons. Clean the link lower insulator inside diameter with a bottle brush to remove any dirt or paint build-up. Lubricate the insulator prior to reassembly.
5. Apply the lubricant to the inside diameter of both new stabilizer bar rubber insulators.
NOTE: ONLY use Ford Rubber Insulator Lubricant (E25Y-19553-A).
6. Install the new stabilizer bar rubber insulators. Refer to the appropriate Car Shop Manual, Section 14 for detailed service procedures.
"SQUEAK" AND "GRUNT" SERVICE
PROCEDURE
(Escort/Lynx, Tempo/Topaz)
1. By hand, bounce the front and rear of the vehicle about four (4) to six (6) inches. If "squeak" or "grunt" is present, proceed to Step 2.
2. Disconnect the tie rods from the steering knuckles and bounce the vehicle again. If the noise stops, install two (2) new tie rod assemblies (E7FZ-3280-A). Refer to the appropriate Car Shop Manual, Section 13-46-12 for detailed service information. If the noise is still present, reconnect the tie rod assemblies and proceed to Step 3.
3. Remove stabilizer bar rubber insulators.
4. Clean stabilizer bar with Ford Spot Remover (B7A-19521-AA).
NOTE: On applications with split rubber insulators, only the contact area needs to be cleaned.
5. Lubricate the stabilizer bar from the stabilizer bar end to the insulator contact area with Ford Rubber Insulator Lubricant (E25Y-19553-A).
6. Apply the lubricant to the inside diameter of both new stabilizer bar rubber insulators.
NOTE: ONLY use Ford Rubber Insulator Lubricant (E25Y-19553-A).
7. Install the new stabilizer bar rubber insulators. Refer to the appropriate Car Shop Manual, Section 14 for detailed service procedures.
"CRUNCH" SERVICE PROCEDURE
(Escort/Lynx, Tempo/Topaz)
1. Thoroughly spray the stabilizer bar to body insulators with water.
2. Drive the vehicle about 10 to 15 mph (16 to 24 km/h) and apply the brakes to simulate a quick panic stop. Repeat applying the brakes several times to confirm "crunch" noise. If "crunch" noise is present, proceed to Step 3.
3. Raise vehicle.
4. Remove the right front stabilizer mounting U-bracket bolts and throw away the bolts.
5. Remove the left front stabilizer mounting U-bracket bolts and throw away the bolts.
6. Thoroughly dry the inside of the U-brackets and outside surface of the rubber insulators.
7. Apply a thin coat of Ford Rubber Insulator Lubricant (E25Y-19553-A) to the outside surface and the inside diameter of the rubber insulator.
8. Reinstall the right and left U-brackets with new bolts (N840699-S150 for Escort/Lynx and N802594-S161 for Tempo/Topaz).
9. Torque bolts to 70-100 ft.lbs. (95-135 N-m) for Escort/Lynx. Torque bolts to 50-60 ft.lbs. (68-81 N-m) for Tempo/Topaz.
OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: 87-7-8, 86-14-6 Supersedes 86-7-5
WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under Basic and Major Component Warranty Coverage
OPERATION: 880410A - Replace tie rods
TIME: 3.0 Hrs. - Escort/Lynx 2.7 Hrs. - Tempo/Topaz
OPERATION: 880410B - Replace or clean insulators
TIME: 0.7 Hr. - Taurus/Sable (Rear) 1.1 Hrs. -Taurus/Sable (Front) 0.6 Hr. - All others DLR. CODING: Basic Part No. 5493 - Code: 56