How does it look lowered? Did you also change tire size? Let me know if you find any issues with clearence while driving.
[/b][/quote]


It looks good, tires are 285/35-18 and it is lowered about 3/4" front and 1-1/4 in the rear. I plan to post pics in another thread sometime Sunday as we got a little snow today that needs to melt

 

Mike installing a strut tower brace is a separate issue. Ford needs to correct their design/manufacturing process problem. The owner should not have to install a strut tower brace to help or correct the problem. Until Ford determines the root cause of the problem I would do anything. Make Ford fix their problem!

 

Todd: I read that to mean you would NOT do anything...and you are right, I agree, Ford should fix their own problem.

I will wait for them to fix the strut mount because mine is definitely doing it. But I may still put the Steeda tower brace on, to strengthen and tighten the whole front end.

The export brace I put on my 65 fastback really helped tighten up the front end a lot. A Monte Carlo bar would have helped even more, but I couldn't fit one between the distributor and the factory A/C compressor without bending and reshaping the MC bar, so I skipped it.

I figure the Steeda strut tower brace will tighten the front end up similar to the way the export brace did.

But agreed, as you say, AFTER Ford fixes the basic strut mount problem.

 

Are the cars being built now having the same problem with the upper strut bearings?

 

One has to assume that they are. Ford says that, "Engineering is currently investigating. No repairs should be attempted at this time. Monitor Oasis for updates."

Translation: Ford engineers are trying to design a new upper strut mount / bearing. Then they will have it produced, then distributed to the dealerships. That will take a while longer. In the meantime, no repairs should be attempted because they would just be replacing the part with the same badly designed part and thus no solution.

Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that the Stangs rolling down and off the production line today have the badly designed part in them. There is no other part to install at the present time.

When they design stuff on the computer it appears to fit and work properly, but until they install them in the actual car and drive it around they don't know that they have a problem. You would think with the long lead time and millions of test miles driven on the track and interstates by test mules, they would have discovered and corrected this problem by now. Unfortunately, not so.

Be patient and stay tuned. This is a good example of the woes inherent in a first year redesigned car, although it is the ONLY problem I am experiencing in mine and it is not that big of a deal. This is also what the warranty is for. They'll get it fixed.

 

Anyone care to refute or second the above analysis?

Anyone have any more info on the strut problem / fix?

 

Mike you understood my statements perfectly. Until Ford corrects this known, or now more importantly admitted problem, I would not do any modifications to the front suspension. That will just give some low life dealers an excuse not to fix the problem when new parts become available. Only after the problem is corrected would I modify the suspension. After that: modify your heart out. At least then you can prove your mod isn't responsible for the popping noise.

What I would recommend is that everyone experiencing the problem, take your vehicle to the dealer. Why? Only then will Ford realize how many vehicles are affected and give it priority accordingly. Additionally, this will document this known product problem on your vehicle. Then when a fix is determined you will already be in line for the new parts - just like I am. Also, make the dealer give you something in writing stating there is a defect. Don't let the dealer blow you off and say we'll call you - they never will! Only by following this process will Ford give this issue the priority it deserves.

PS: I am not upset about this issue at all. As previously mentioned all first year vehicles have some problems that will be addressed in time. Wouldn't trade my for anything.

 

Todd--thanks for the confirmation. I agree wholeheartedly with you, not only should Ford fix the poor design problem straight up, but I was concerned about making any mods whatsoever that could be construed as having contributed to the problem. No, the dealer will fix my struts under warranty when Ford's engineers design the correct fix, THEN I will look into the strut tower brace.

I went to my dealer yesterday to report the problem. The knucklehead I spoke to said that he has no way of posting a note in the computer on my car. I'm not certain that is the case, b/c I thought sure another service advisor did that exact thing 2 weeks ago on another matter. I could be mistaken; I refer to him as a knucklehead mainly for his attitude, not his capabilities.

My regular service advisor wasn't in yesterday / Saturday, so I will call him this week to tell him to put me at the top of the parts list for this fix, since I first called it to his attention two weeks ago.

I may be wrong, but this may be the single largest problem with the 05 Mustang, in terms of sheer numbers. It appears that more people have this complaint than any of the others.

Fortunately, it is the only problem to manifest itself thus far in mine. I'm right at about 800 miles. Yes, everyone who has the problem should report it to their dealer---flood them with calls so that they get after Ford to continue seeking an engineering solution to this design problem.

And like you Todd, not complaining. I love the car, and am grateful this is the only problem I have.

 

[quote=maucoin65,March 12, 2005, 2:58 PM]
Do you think a Steeda Billit strut tower brace would correct the popping / clunking problem? It tightens up the front end, really finishes / caps off the top of the strut towers under the hood nicely, and looks really cool. Costs about $250.



I've had the strut tower brace (Steeda) installed for some time and the popping is still there.

 

[quote=wild stray,March 13, 2005, 1:12 PM]
OK, Paul / Wild Stray---that's very interesting. Todd affirmed my gut earlier to wait for Ford to fix the strut mount problem first then look to the Steeda strut tower brace.

Aside from the popping problem continuing, do you like the brace? Did it tighten up your front end / handling ?

 

OK, Paul / Wild Stray---that's very interesting. Todd affirmed my gut earlier to wait for Ford to fix the strut mount problem first then look to the Steeda strut tower brace.

Aside from the popping problem continuing, do you like the brace? Did it tighten up your front end / handling ?

Yes, it pulled things together nicely.....the only time you would notice it is when you need it. I got in some "spirited" cornering this afternoon coming up the coast and when you first hit a corner at speed you don't feel like the front end wants to go in two different directions. Very smooth and controlled. If you have winding roads it will be well worth the money IMO.


Paul

 

OK, great; I'll keep that in mind. Thanks for the report.

 

Any updates on this? TSB?
I am having this problem at low speed turning but don't want to fix it unless Ford has engineered a specific fix for it. Would you guys take it into service to have them look at it before there is a definite fix?

 

If anything I would take it in just to make them aware that you're experiencing the problem but I wouldn't let them explore or examine anything until a TSB has been released.

I also have the problem and that's the route I decided to take way before any talk of a TSB. As I understand it though, Ford is aware and working to resolve so a TSB should be on the way.

 

I took mine in for this very problem and they found bad strut bearings.
Took them about a week to get the parts and a couple hours to put them in and problem solved.

 

Funny part is I have the same popping noise. My service tech said it is a bearing in my steering colunm. He has one on order now and will replace it when it comes in. I asked him about the upper strut bearings, and told him about how everyone else is having that problem. He is convinced it is the steering column only.

So I will let him replce that and see if it still pops.

 

Sounds like your tech needs a link to this website. Noises like this can be difficult to diagnose, especially since it happens when the steering wheel is turned.

 

Mine is doing the same clunking / popping noise. While I had it in for an oil change today I asked them to take a look at it. Service tech acknowleged there was a TSB out but no reccomedation yet. Said he would contact me when he gets more info or a fix.

 

Umm...so there is a TSB but no fix?? Is that normal? I thought TSB were created with fixes as a part of them?

 

Most complaints I have noticed involved popping from the front. Mine appears to be from the rear. Anyone with those symptoms?