Mondeo suspension brushes

Silent Bob

Silent Bob

Silent Bob

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Joined
24 Oct 2002
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Cambridge
I have a 2002 mondeo and over the last couple of weeks I've noticed a clunk coming from the rear of the car when going round tight left hand bends on rough tarmac at low speed (mainly notice it going to work where there is a section of cobbles on a bend).

It sounds to me like the rear suspension brush(es) have gone as apparantly it's a common problem. The car has done 85k miles and I don't think they've been replaced.

I'm planning to replace the car the end of next month (in around 1,000 miles time) and just wanted to make sure it's ok drive until then. If I look underneath the car is there anything obvious I to look for? Also has anyone here had any experiences with this problem?

Thanks
 
Silent Bob said:
I have a 2002 mondeo and over the last couple of weeks I've noticed a clunk coming from the rear of the car when going round tight left hand bends on rough tarmac at low speed (mainly notice it going to work where there is a section of cobbles on a bend).

It sounds to me like the rear suspension brush(es) have gone as apparantly it's a common problem. The car has done 85k miles and I don't think they've been replaced.

I'm planning to replace the car the end of next month (in around 1,000 miles time) and just wanted to make sure it's ok drive until then. If I look underneath the car is there anything obvious I to look for? Also has anyone here had any experiences with this problem?

Thanks
Click to expand...

Can also be the exhaust hangers causing touching on top of nearside upper wishbone. Rattles can be the heatshield.
 
i got some suspension brushes, i attached them to my wishbones so i can clean the road while i drive along..........
heheh sorry its bushes mate :)
 
siztenboots said:
Can also be the exhaust hangers causing touching on top of nearside upper wishbone. Rattles can be the heatshield.
Click to expand...

That could possibly be it. I think the exhaust is on the left. Also it started doing it all of a sudden. If it was the suspension BUSHES (hehe) i would have expected the problem to slowly appear over time and to have noticed it when going in a straight line over bumps.
 
Rear subframe bushes are a known problem on the mk3, it's not uncommon for them to go after 30k miles.

My car has done 31k and has been diagnoses with needing them replaceing - thankfully under warranty.

Symptoms are knocking from the rear over speedbumps and rough surfaces.

Unfortauntely the garage has the parts on back-order so I'm waiting for them to call me back.
 
Pete is correct.

They have only recently produced the bushes on their own, they used to come as part of a larger, more expensive piece (which i have forgotten the name of).

So, I believe there has been a large order-surge for just the bushes which I would imagine cost <£1 each.
 
MuvverRussia said:
rear subframe used to need replacement at about £400+ :/
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£400!? :eek: The actual subframe is around £130 iirc, so it shouldn't come to much over £250, £300 maximum with fitting and vat. Unless you're talking about Ford main dealer prices! :D
 
Tesla said:
Pete is correct.

They have only recently produced the bushes on their own, they used to come as part of a larger, more expensive piece (which i have forgotten the name of).

So, I believe there has been a large order-surge for just the bushes which I would imagine cost <£1 each.
Click to expand...

now that ford have started producing their own parts. does anyone know the price to have them replaced, inc labour etc.

think mine may need doing.

and a quick question, if they arnt replaced soon, is it going to do any more damage?
 
tb2000 said:
£400!? :eek: The actual subframe is around £130 iirc, so it shouldn't come to much over £250, £300 maximum with fitting and vat. Unless you're talking about Ford main dealer prices! :D
Click to expand...

Dosn't take long to reach £400 with a few hours labour at a main stealer...
 
spike's said:
now that ford have started producing their own parts. does anyone know the price to have them replaced, inc labour etc.

think mine may need doing.

and a quick question, if they arnt replaced soon, is it going to do any more damage?
Click to expand...

PowerFlex do replacement bushes at around £60, I'd expect the Ford ones to come in around the same price. Should be around 2-3 hours labour at most garages as it will probably be easiest to drop the subframe replace the bushes and refit. Call it around £200 inc vat from a good non main dealer garage.

As an aside, from a non main dealer using a new Ford rear subframe your looking at around £300-350 inc vat (which is what I paid).

As for damage, well it won't be doing your rear suspension much good or your wheel bearings, and can cause uneven wear on the rear tyres.

Funny thing is unless there's a lot of play it shouldn't be a MOT fail, go figure :confused:
 
For some reason Ford say their ones need glueing in place, which means leaving the car with them so it can stand for 24 hours before being used again.
 
I had the full rear subframe done on my last Mondeo at 38k under warranty. Ford dealer said it would have been about £300 if I was paying for the work myself.

The dealer also explained the replacements are no different than the originals so would probably go again.

If the same recurs on my ST I'll pay to get the Powerflex bushes fitted as they should last much longer. You can fit them yourself one by one without messing the alignment up apparently.
 
Malachy said:
i got some suspension brushes, i attached them to my wishbones so i can clean the road while i drive along..........
heheh sorry its bushes mate :)
Click to expand...

[pedantic mode]
Bushes are small trees.

BUSHINGS are what isolate the suspension in a car....
[/pedantic mode]

:D ;) :)
 
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