Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Suspension Front Coil Spring Recall

I got my recall notice in the mail today.
Program #01M08. Front Coil Springs could prematurely break in the salt states like my Indiana.

So "if you have already paid to have your springs replaced, Ford will refund the cost of the repairs. present the recieot to your dealer."

How is this for an idea?

Hello mister ford tech/service manager, I was on the road and the front spring broke and I had to replace it in BFE Georgia 1000 miles from home, so the garage did have Ford OEM but did have Eibach Springs, and cost only $230 + labor to install. Please write me a check.

Any thoughts?

Like Maria said in South Pacific: "ya gotta have a dream to have a dream come true"

Dream on.

I had this done 2 weeks ago on my 98 E1 - they called it recall 01S23. They installed a sleeve around the top mounting of the spring.

Now the car has terrible groans whenever the front springs compress during cornering, roadway dips etc.

Anyone else have this problem? I'm ready to have the recall parts removed - it's driving me nuts.

%#@@*&$# Jeeze I love these cheap band-aid recalls. Forrest's and others have all confirmed my concerns to avoid this one.
Guess when time comes to replace struts I'll have to come up with different springs.
I not looking to modify just good quality design.
The water pump, now this, what's next???
Paul

Forrest....
You stated that you have a "groan" when cornering and going over bumps.
I just recently aquired a 98 Countour and before I purchased it the same recall was done. I get a BANG noise cornering and on bumps.
Trying to figure out what the h*** this noise is. Put the car on the lift and nothing is loose, hanging, or seems to be wrong. Honestly it's dangerous! I have to slow way down to go over railroad tracks, bumps, dips, etc. Can't tell ya how many times I've almost been hit!
My thought was that the sound was becasue of the recall work done. Please make it stop!
Any similarities between your groan and my bang??? LOL! I'm talking about the Contour here!!!
TIA
Christine

Luca - I went back to the dealer and pitched a fit - they put it up on a lift, and you could see where the recall piece which was added was impacting the inner fender liner (blacl plastic).

Their offerr was to take an air grinder and grind away part of the inner liner. My answer was to have them remove the stupid recall pieces so I no longer have the problem.

The piece added is at the top of the coil spring. If you can get in there (turn the wheel to full lock if you don't have access to a lift), look and you'll see where the piece is impacting the inner fender liner when the front suspension compresses.

The recall fix is a big joke, in my opinion.

Thanks Forrest!
I will check that. If that is the case I too will have the dealership remove that piece. Can't stand the noise anymore!!

I am also going to call the dealership and see if the previous owners had this recall work done there and tell them the problem that I am having. I'm in good with the service manager (my new Explorer is always there)so I'll make them correct this.

Just talked to a friend with a Contour and they are having the same problem! Hopefully Ford will come up with a correct fix for this.

Thanks again, I do appreciate your time.
Christine

I had mine on for a week and then removed. Recently, I had my tires off and took a close look at my springs. I can see where ON THE SPRING mine were rubbing. If the salt doesn't break them, that guard sure would have.

Just had the car to the dealership. There is a fix for the coil spring shield recall. Service adviser said that Ford wants the shields put on a certain way. They're having lots of problems with the specs that Ford gave them and lots of people are having this same problem. SA says that you CAN adjust them to stop the noise. Ford only wants them put on one way and the dealership said that they adjust them anyway. The other "fix" was to cut away part of the wheel well. I told them to fix it or remove it. No cutting!
Still have a slight sound but it's SOOOO much better than before.
I will be taking it back as I don't want ANY noise!!!
Thanks all for your help! This is such a great place!
Christine

This is news from the Gods. Something faild in my suspension and I think it's my spring. The problem is, it happend on new years eve when the valet parked my car.