Windstar clunk front end?

[northern piper]

12ounce..ya beat me to it!

what does that mean?

And while we're on the topic.. you wouldn't happen to have part numbers or maybe a dorman reference to the rubber mounts would you? I looked for that a few years ago when I was trying to take care of some general "looseness" in the van but didn't find anything and gave up...

[Windstartled]

Originally Posted by 12Ounce

What do you mean by "realign the subframe"? I've had my '99 subframe down and back up .... and about to replace it because of bending damage ... and I never noticed any adjustments.

There's a hole on each side of the subframe that's lined up with a corresponding hole in the main frame. These holes are meant to check subframe alignment by inserting a 19mm dowel through both holes. If the dowel inserts straight your alignment is fine, if it's crooked you need to adjust. That's the reason the subframe bolt holes are oval, it allows for some play to fine tune the alignment. You can only perform this with all 4 bolts loosened. From what I heard misalignment of the subframe usually only occurs either as the result of a collision (even minor) or when the 4 bolts are removed for servicing procedures. The most visible symptom of improper subframe alignment is exaggerated wheel camber on one side, but it affects handling as well. It's not always easy to tell, because symptoms are similar to bad wheel alignment, ball joint failure, bent control arm, shot wheel bearing, etc. That's why you need to check with the dowel to confirm or eliminate subframe alignment as a factor when you experience these issues.

[Windstartled]

Originally Posted by northern piper

12ounce..ya beat me to it!

what does that mean?

And while we're on the topic.. you wouldn't happen to have part numbers or maybe a dorman reference to the rubber mounts would you? I looked for that a few years ago when I was trying to take care of some general "looseness" in the van but didn't find anything and gave up...

Oops, had missed this post. FoMoCo/Motorcraft part numbers for the donuts are 5C148 (upper) and 5C149 (lower)

[scubacat]

Have fun replacing those back donuts if you had the recall done. They so kindly glued the bushings to the subframe with that metal adhesive and I have yet to figure out how to break it loose.

[Windstartled]

Shucks, no more clunks but now I have a wiggling noise coming from the passenger side, I suspect wheel bearing has taken ill

[Windstartled]

Originally Posted by Windstartled

Shucks, no more clunks but now I have a wiggling noise coming from the passenger side, I suspect wheel bearing has taken ill

False alarm, t'was just a loose caliper bolt

[Windstartled]

Originally Posted by scubacat

Have fun replacing those back donuts if you had the recall done. They so kindly glued the bushings to the subframe with that metal adhesive and I have yet to figure out how to break it loose.

I had the rear axle recall done but not the front subframe, so I get a reminder letter from Ford every other month or so. My subframe looks good and I don't want serviceable parts to be superglued to it.

[scubacat]

Originally Posted by Windstartled

I had the rear axle recall done but not the front subframe, so I get a reminder letter from Ford every other month or so. My subframe looks good and I don't want serviceable parts to be superglued to it.

Sorry to resurrect an old thread out of the blue but two quick things:

1. My friendly neighborhood exhaust shop got the bushings out with they're patented BFH. I guess I just wasn't persistent enough!

2. Windstartled: Where exactly do I look for these subframe alignment holes and how would I do it? Just loosen the bolts on the side and try and shift it with a prybar? My transmission vibrates into the subframe on right turns and I'm wondering if this will fix it. A curb jumped out and whacked the tire when my wife was driving (if you catch my drift..)