Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Front Spring retainer recall

Went in for Heater Blower recall, and Ford performed the spring retainer recall for me. Didn't ask, because I would have said no thanks. Now my front suspension knocks. And I couldn't fit my index finger between my tire (205 with) and the guard. Anyone else have this done yet, without the knocking problem? I'm calling them on Monday to ask if they will check to see if it is installed properly or to just take it out completely.

I did this recall on my car without any problems with knocking noises. Take it back to them and ask them to make sure that they got the nut on the sway bar end link tight enough. I did have one noise that I fixed right away. The shield was hitting the brake hose when turning. I simply turned the brake hose away from the sheild a little to prevent that problem.

Update: Took it to Ford on Wednesday and they said they found nothing wrong. I took the service advisor on a ride and demonstrated the clunk for him.

Took it back today (Thursday) and they just called saying I need to replace the "lower control arm bushing" on the right front. Sold only in control arm assemblies. Five hour job. $738. WTF!!! I told him to put it back the way it was and I'd be up to get it.

I guess two phone calls are in order: 1) to the service manager to b*tch about the fact that they did the recall without telling me and also to b*tch about the fact that they performed free work that supposedly is going to cost me $700+. 2) To the Ford recall hotline on the recall letter. Anybody have that number handy?

Hi. had the work done on Wednesday (9/19). I knew something was wrong because I can hear the front tires hitting the shield when turning or going over bumps.

Went today and they couldn't figure it out so they took them off. They are going to contact Ford Technical and find out what's wrong with the shield. The technician was all pissed off because he couldn't figure out where the tires were touching the shield. He did a lot of "bounce" test to see.

Anyway, I was told there were 3 more Mystiques back for the same problem. The service writer told me that he'll get in touch with me after he contacts Ford.

They took mine off yesterday (after I railed the Service Manager) and magically the klunk went away. OMG, even without replacing the entire lower control arm assy! (I checked with Bill Jenkins and the link is in fact only serviced with the whole assembly). My springs looked fine when I inspected them so I'm leaving the stoopid guards off. It will motivate me to get a set of sport springs eventually.

biochem, let us know what Ford says, because I'm going to call and complain once I get my recall letter.

Same thing here, got the car back and now thunks every time I pull in and out of my driveway.

I'll just get it taken off when i get my eibach and struts 9not sure wich yet) put in Next week.

I'll repost when I hear from my Lincoln-Mercury dealer.

I originally went in for the blower recall and they installed the shields without telling me.

Originally, I thought maybe they put in the wrong shields, thinking they were different from 4 cylinder and the v-6, which I have.

I'll have to take a look at my front tires too, since they were newly installed only 2 weeks ago. There was lot of bumping of the front tires since Wednesday.

I wonder if I could just get them to install some Koni's and Eibachs I bring in

TB

This recall uses the same part number for all cars. All the shields are the same, no matter what engine or size tires the car has. I have noticed that my shields are very close to the tires, and I have the 15's. I haven't done this recall on any SVT's yet, but I can see where a problem would occur with the 16's.

how do i know if the blower recall was done to my car...i bought it used and i have had the car for 3 months.
thanks

Alicia
96 contour