Inner Tie Rod R&R

[12Ounce]

I agree, if it wore out in 3000 miles ... you need to get it out of there.

But I would test it; detached from the knuckle assembly, by hand, before condemning it. I really suspect your noise is coming from elsewhere.

[Windstartled]

Originally Posted by tempfixit

Evidentally something was not right from the start as it is worn out in 3,000 miles.

Replacement ball joints should be good for a year, Motorcraft for two or three. On this vehicle it's a high-wear part. Wouldn't be that bad if we didn't have to replace the whole arm each time. Some Windstar owners often give up and just make do with a rattly, rough-riding van. I think Ford should have used a sturdier part than this one designed for a smaller vehicle (Taurus). Winnie is a light truck in nature, not a car.

[tempfixit]

Carquest warrantied the lower contol arm so I replaced it today. Mevotech is the part brand.

[Windstartled]

Originally Posted by tempfixit

Carquest warrantied the lower contol arm so I replaced it today. Mevotech is the part brand.

That's the same ones I have on mine, they are pretty good but considering what those arms are being put through one can't expect miracles. Good thing my van is going back to the dealership next month to fix the botched front subframe recall job they did last year. They used the wrong mount dampers ("donuts") which caused the subframe to rock from side to side enough to overstress the control arms and ruin them, now both wheels have very noticeable camber and rattle like a SOB. When I brought it back to show them dealership said they will not only replace the donuts and the whole subframe itself, but also the control arms free of charge. It pays to maintain a friendly attitude. I didn't ask but I assume they will be using Motorcraft, what else would they have on hand anyway. Hopefully these will last 2 years or more.

In the meantime I am replacing all engine and transmission mounts, they are falling apart and now I know this has a serious effect on noise level and vibrations as well as causing undue stress on the frame and suspension components. I was postponing this because I thought it required a 3-point engine support/hoist but after performing this job on my F150 using only bottle jacks (and a buddy as assistant/critic) it should be even easier with the Windstar. This relatively minor repair had a drastic effect on the pickup even though it is much newer and has less than half the mileage (approx. 51K miles vs 110K miles, loosely converted from km), I can't wait to see what it will yield on the van.

[12Ounce]

My suspension has lasted 370k miles ... and is still in fair shape. But that is due to conditions ... we live in a flat area, no hills ... do very little towing, and I drive like a grandma. The lower control arms, for example, get very little stress in such service.

But for the folks who drive in the hills, tow, ... drive and brake with "gusto": their suspensions are gonna fail much earlier. Especially folks who drive in snow. Can you imagine what the suspension goes thru as we drive across a patch of snow ... the wheels slip and rev-up, and then we hit a dry area of pavement with the tires suddenly grabbing hold? That's a lot of stress!

[LTDzak]

Originally Posted by Windstartled

<snip>When I brought it back to show them dealership said they will not only replace the donuts and the whole subframe itself, but also the control arms free of charge. <snip>

In the meantime I am replacing all engine and transmission mounts, they are falling apart and now I know this has a serious effect on noise level and vibrations as well as causing undue stress on the frame and suspension components. .

When they have the subframe out the additional labor to swap all the mounts should be minimal, e.g. an hour or less.

[Windstartled]

Originally Posted by 12Ounce

My suspension has lasted 370k miles ... and is still in fair shape. But that is due to conditions ... we live in a flat area, no hills ... do very little towing, and I drive like a grandma. The lower control arms, for example, get very little stress in such service.

But for the folks who drive in the hills, tow, ... drive and brake with "gusto": their suspensions are gonna fail much earlier. Especially folks who drive in snow. Can you imagine what the suspension goes thru as we drive across a patch of snow ... the wheels slip and rev-up, and then we hit a dry area of pavement with the tires suddenly grabbing hold? That's a lot of stress!

Montreal is not very hilly unless you live in the area around Mount Royal but like all northern cities it has snow and ice... and Spring thaws that cause potholes to pop up like mushrooms after a downpour and they usually don't get all fixed until May. Suspension shops make a bundle here. And road salt takes its toll, it shortens the life of control arms and tie rods by half if not more. Sure you can opt for fancy composite parts but they are seriously expensive and not available for every make and model.

[Windstartled]

Originally Posted by LTDzak

When they have the subframe out the additional labor to swap all the mounts should be minimal, e.g. an hour or less.

I thought about asking the dealership to perform this work not covered by the recall but all of a sudden my credit cards all started to bark at me

My take is that as long as the dealership is being paid by Ford they have no interest in pressuring me to agree to fix extras but if they start seeing me as a source of income instead of someone they can please while getting compensated by a third party, their attitude will become more mercantile and pressuring. But most of all they may not let me observe them working on the van like they do now. This started when a tech kept coming to the waiting room to ask me details about certain issues until he said what the heck we don't usually do this but why don't you come in the back with us if you'd like it will make it easier. I don't want to loose my bench seat