Front Suspension - Grunt/Popping Noise While Turning
Article No.93-14-11
07/07/93
NOISE - "GRUNT/POPPING" HEARD DURING LOW SPEED TURNING MANEUVERS - VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE 3/15/93.
FORD:
1991-93 TAURUS
LINCOLN-MERCURY:
1991-93 SABLE
ISSUE:
A "grunt/popping" noise coming from the front suspension at low speeds, below 20 MPH (32 KM/H) when turning, may be caused by contact between the rubber coated outer rim of the upper spring seat bearing assembly (3K028) and the underside of the shock tower sheet metal. Colder weather could result in this rubbing noise being more noticeable.
ACTION:
If service is required, use the following procedure based on the model and powertrain application.
DIAGNOSIS FOR ALL TAURUS AND SABLE MODELS - EXCEPT SHO
1. Determine if vehicle ride height is at or below specified height.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface with a full tank of gas. If less than a full tank is available, use the adjustment factors shown in the following Fuel Fill Adjustment Factor Chart.
3. Set tires to decal pressure.
4. Neutralize the vehicle's suspension system.
a. Push on the roof rail above the driver's door laterally so as to cause the vehicle to roll.
b. Use about five (5) or six (6) pushes to provide sufficient roll to settle the vehicle out in a neutralized state.
5. Measure vertically from the wheel center to the bottom edge of the fender opening. Heights should be within +/- 0.3" (+/- 7.6 mm) of the fender to wheel heights shown in the following Specification - Fender Opening To Wheel Center Chart.
6. Replace springs if ride height is found to be above the specified height. Refer to the Specification Wheel Opening to Wheel Center chart.
NOTE:
SPRING LOAD STEPS PROVIDE A 0.3" (7.6 MM) FENDER-TO-WHEEL HEIGHT CHANGE..
For Example; If vehicle is equipped with ZZZ front springs and measures 0.1" high, replace with SCH front springs. If vehicles measures 0.4" high, replace with TRS front springs. You must coordinate the spring change with the shim change.
7. If ride height is determined to be at or below the specified height no spring change will be required. You may then proceed to remove and inspect front strut assemblies and install the strut spacer kit.
8. Remove both front strut assemblies as detailed in the 1991, 1992, and 1993 Taurus/Sable Service Manuals:
^ 1991 pages 14-10-8 through 14-10-9, steps 1 through 15.
^ 1992 Pages 04-01-13 through 04-01-15, steps 1 through 15.
^ 1993 Pages 04-01-12 through 04-01-14, steps 1 through 15.
9. Inspect the strut assemblies to make sure that all components are properly fitted together, especially the upper spring seat/bearing and the upper strut mount.
NOTE:
INSPECT FOR ARC SHAPED WITNESS MARKS ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE SHOCK TOWERS. THESE WITNESS MARKS WILL CORRESPOND TO THE DIAMETER OF THE RUBBER COATED OUTER RIM OF THE UPPER SPRING SEAT AND BEARING ASSEMBLY. IF THIS CONDITION EXISTS, REPLACE THE PARTS USING THE SERVICE KIT OUTLINED IN THE PARTS SECTION.
10. Place upper strut mount spacer (18A027) over the three strut mount studs prior to reinstalling the strut assembly, so the spacer is sandwiched between the underside of the shock tower and the upper strut mount. This procedure must be performed on both right and left hand front strut assemblies. Refer to Figure 1.
11. Reinstall the front strut assemblies with spacers according to the applicable Taurus/Sable Service Manual.
^ 1991 Pages 14-10-10 through 14-10-11, steps 6 through 20.
^ 1992 Pages 04-01-16 steps 6 through 20.
^ 1993 Pages 04-01-15 through 04-01-16, steps 6 through 20.
NOTE:
ALL FASTENERS LISTED MUST BE REPLACED WITH NEW FASTENERS. BEFORE INSTALLING THE THREE NUT/WASHERS AT THE STRUT MOUNT BRACKET, APPLY LOCTITE (EOAZ-19554-A) TO THE THREE STUDS ON EACH STRUT MOUNT (18183).
12. Test drive the vehicle to verify the procedure has corrected the noise condition.
DIAGNOSIS FOR TAURUS SHO - ONLY
NOTE:
FOR TAURUS SHO A RIDE HEIGHT VERIFICATION WILL NOT BE REQUIRED.
1. Proceed with steps 8 thru 12 as shown above.
Rear Spring Chart (Refer to Figure 2)
Front Spring Chart (Refer to Figure 3)
OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: 91-25-4
WARRANTY STATUS:
Eligible Under Basic Warranty Coverage For 1991 Models, Bumper To Bumper For 1992-93 Models.
OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME
931411A Measure, Replace One 1.7 Hrs.
Strut And Road Test
931411B Measure, Replace Both 2.6 Hrs.
Struts And Road Test
DEALER CODING
BASIC PART NO. CONDITION CODE
5310 63
OASIS CODES:
303000, 304000, 703000, 703200