2005+ Mustang GT: what happened to the TSB for the front end clunk?
remember there was all this talk about a tsb coming out to fix the clunk that almost all of the GTs have in the passanger side front end? the one the dealership cant seem to fix? did this come out yet? any updates?
From another forum regarding the front end clunking. The strut mount has been redesigned and should be available next month. They are not going to issue a TSB because the new part is a standard install. Part number is listed below in the information from a forum member:
================================================
quote:
ORIGINAL: bascho
The new mount will look identical to your original except the mounting studs a few mm's longer. The real change was to the compound of the rubber used in the mount. The "chuckle" or "loose-lumbar" (as is was called in the concern write-up) was attributed to the "radial" and a"axial" rates on the mount. The new rubber compound corrects this issue and thus corrects the "loose-lumbar" noise from the front suspension. I've compared the test graphs of the two mounts and there are drastic improvements to both the static radial and static axial rates for the new mount.
Ask your local parts person to enter 8R3Z-18183-B into DOES II. Their parts catalog is not going to show this part yet and that is why they think this is not a valid part. It should be in their parts catalog for the July update at the latest. If they are running FCA then they should see it in this month's update.
----------------
The problem has always existed since the first model year of the S197 (2005MY). The issue was that the noise being reported was rolled into one concern......"popping". Ford immeditately addressed the issue with 5R3Z-18183-A. It took some time (waiting for 2005 Mustangs to be repaired with the new part) to realize that there were actually two issues and not just one. After concluding the second issue "chuckle" was in-fact a second issue the part was redesigned again. That redesign is 8R3Z-18183-B. What you guys have to remember is that it takes months for redesigns to take place. Then once a new design is tested it takes months to get that part ready for production. The 8R3Z-18183-B is the end result of a year's worth of work. So, Ford actually got working on this problem about this time last year (or sooner).
great, by the time it finally comes out, no warranty, im going to have to pay. any idea on how much this will cost? it only has to be done on the pass side correct?
great, by the time it finally comes out, no warranty, im going to have to pay. any idea on how much this will cost? it only has to be done on the pass side correct?
Here is some info. from the other forum:
CLEARYM wrote: I just went to my local dealer and they said the new upper strut mounts (8R3Z-18183-B)cost $58.23 each. They said they are on back order and I have to wait until the end of June to get them up.
My questions is this. Should I buy these or get the Steeda version for another $180?
_____________________________
REPLY from other member: are you going to need to adjust the camber at all? if not, just stick with the Ford stuff. or wait, are you out of warranty anyways? if so, look at the adjustable strut mounts on offer at stangsuspension.com. the steeda's provide for some adjustment, but not a lot if you are going to be doing "serious" adjustments.
i'm actually considering putting the car partially back to stock so i can get into a less modified class in autocross.
CLEARYM wrote: I just went to my local dealer and they said the new upper strut mounts (8R3Z-18183-B)cost $58.23 each. They said they are on back order and I have to wait until the end of June to get them up.
My questions is this. Should I buy these or get the Steeda version for another $180?
_____________________________
REPLY from other member: are you going to need to adjust the camber at all? if not, just stick with the Ford stuff. or wait, are you out of warranty anyways? if so, look at the adjustable strut mounts on offer at stangsuspension.com. the steeda's provide for some adjustment, but not a lot if you are going to be doing "serious" adjustments.
i'm actually considering putting the car partially back to stock so i can get into a less modified class in autocross.
You might want to consider the ones from Steeda or Stangsuspension.com.
__________________
07 GT premium in Grabber Orange. 5spd. manual w/IUP, plenum cover,3.55's, Roush scoop, 14" antenna, C&L CAI, Bamachips 93 Predator tune, Steeda U/D pulleys, Hurst shifter, FRPP GTA's, CDC chin spoiler, CHE LCA, BMR panhard bar, Eibach Pro Kit. FRPP 17" black bullitts and 255R45 Firestones, Spydershaft aluminum driveshaft, MSD coils, D-Specs, Prothane motor mounts, BMR LCA brace, Steeda panhard brace, BMR adj. UCA, Webelectric sequentials, Mikronited FRPP 4.10's.
ok i know someone who bought the steeda ones, and it did not fix it, so i don't think this is the fix. i thought the fix was a brace that is on the convertible but not on the coupe?
I purchased the brace and put it on my coupe. It reduced the noise but did not get rid of it. The solution appears to be a combination of the brace and the new strut mounts. New coupes built on-after April '07 are appearing with the bar installed.
The bar and nuts are EXPENSIVE! Why, I don't know because it a tube bar with flattened ends and 4 studs in it.
I was not pleased at the $282.05 cost of the bar from the Ford dealer but went ahead anyway. I ordered just the bar to see what I would get. Part number: 4R3Z-5025-A (specific to the convertable).
It took a week to get it special ordered. When I got it I was a little suprised that it contained 4 pressed in studs for the bolts and it contained a very slight curve on each of the flattened ends, heavy but still hollow. I saw somewhere that a person bought the bar for $199 from and on-line Ford Parts depot.
I did not ask about nuts to fit it because I thought I would just get grade 8 nylon locking nuts from the hardware store. WRONG!!. I tried every nut available and every thread size/type to try and find a match. I could not believe it! Nothing would go on those studs without binding and I was not about to strip those $280+ studs. This just added insult to injury in this whole thunking issue, unique nuts for the stupid $282 bar!!!?!!!
I went back to the Ford dealer and said I needed the nuts thinking they would have them in stock and I would get 4 for $5 to $8. No way. Each nut listed for $9.56 and net was $5.46 each, but the kicker was they did not have any at any dealership in my entire state and had to special order them out of the south eastern United States!! I could not believe it. Part number: W711533-S440 nut
I ordered them and they took 5 days to come in. Before I paid for them I took the bar in and made SURE they would go on the studs. Yes they did, unlike any other nut I had tried before (they had better for that price!!).
This bar reduced the noise but did not eliminate it. The new strut mounts are my last hope. Good luck with the Steeda ones.
The bar is now coming on all new coupes, not just the convertables.
2005+ Mustang GT: what happened to the TSB for the front end clunk? 
