Repairing
Ford® Rear Lower Control Arm Noises
Rich Diegle, Automotive Editor
Some 2005 Ford® Five Hundred®, Freestyle®
and Mercury® Montego® FWD vehicles built between 7/12/2004
through 9/21/2004 may exhibit a squeak/clunk from the rear lower
control arm bushing at the sub-frame attachment point.
To verify the problem, inspect the rear lower
control arm bushing for movement between the bushing and the sub-frame
bracket. If the bushing appears to be out of position, or movement
is observed, replace the bushing with a revised part (Ford P/N 5F92-438-A).
If the bushing shows no signs of movement, diagnose further to pinpoint
the source of the noise. For bushing replacement refer to the following
Service Procedure.
 Applicable
Vehicles
2005 Ford Five Hundred, Freestyle
2005 Mercury Montego
Service Procedure
Review safety procedures in ALLDATAdiy.com before beginning
1. On the side(s) of the vehicle
where the bushing will be replaced, measure and write down the distance
from the center of the hub to the lip of the fender with the vehicle
in a level, static ground position (curb height) (Figure 1).
2. Raise vehicle on a hoist
so the rear shock is fully extended.
3. Remove the tire/wheel assembly
from the affected side of the vehicle.
4. Place a jack stand under
the lower control arm near the attachment to outer knuckle.
5. Remove and discard the four
(4) stabilizer bar attaching bolts and lower the stabilizer bar
to gain access to lower control arm attaching bolt.
 6.
Remove and discard the lower control arm bolt. Some prying/manipulation
of the control arm may be required to remove the bolt.
CAUTION: DO NOT PRY ON THE COIL SPRING.
7. Remove lower control arm
bushing.
8. Insert the new knurled lower
control arm bushing with the lip of the bushing facing the lower
control arm nut.
9. Insert the spacer block from
an approved Lower Arm Bushing Installer Tool (Figure 2).
10. Position the Arm Bushing
Installer Tool over the new bushing with the small cup over the
lip of the bushing
11. Tighten the lead screw of
the installer tool until the lower control arm bushing is pressed
into position and tool cups bottom-out against the frame.
 12.
Remove the installer tool, position the lower control arm
over the bushing and install a new lower control arm bolt (Ford
P/N W70805-S439). Some prying/twisting of the lower control arm
will be required to install the bolt.
CAUTION: DO NOT PRY ON THE COIL SPRING.
13. Before tightening the lower
arm bolt, use a jack stand to raise the rear suspension until the
distance between the center of the hub and the lip of the fender
is equal to the measurement taken in Step 1 (curb height). Torque
bolt to 92 lb-ft (125 N.m).
14. Reinstall stabilizer bar
and new bolts (Ford P/N W709583-S439). Torque to 43 lb-ft (58 N.m).
15. Reinstall tire/wheel and
tighten the wheel nuts to 95 lb-ft (129 N.m) in a star-pattern sequence.
Written by ALLDATA Senior Automotive Editor,
Rich Diegle. Rich is an Advanced Engine Performance Certified, ASE
Master Technician with an AA Degree in automotive technology and
23 years of dealership and independent shop experience. ©2009
ALLDATA LLC. All rights reserved. All technical information, images
and specifications are from ALLDATA Repair. ALLDATA is a registered
trademark and ALLDATA Repair is a mark of ALLDATA LLC. All other
marks are the property of their respective holders. Ford, Mercury,
Five Hundred, Freestyle and Montego are registered trademark names
and model designations of Ford Motor Company. All trademark names
and model designations are being used solely for reference and application
purposes. |
