Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting I'm in shock!

Ford service dept. called me today to tell me what is wrong with my car and how much. I took it in for a bad wheel bearing humming and an inspection. As it turns out the bill is $1080. I need two new wheel bearins, a tie rod, strut bearings, e-brake cable (one side is siezed they tell me), new front pads and rotors and that's about it. I can barely think. I've only owned this car for five months.

If you don't feel comfortable doing the fixes yourself, get the car back from them and order the parts from Bill Jenkins when he shows up in a day or two. Then, have a shop do the work so that they can't overcharge you for parts, at least.

What's a strut bearing?

Your original post talked about one noisey bearing, are they suggesting replacing the other because its also noisey, or as a preventative measure? They don't have to be replaced in pairs.

Tie rod replacement will usually require alignment.

E-brale cable could be deferred, but it's easier to replace on hoist.

Pads and rotors usually routine and they are planning to take apart to do wheel bearings anyways.

The strut bearing is between the top front strut spring seat & the mount ,its a plastic set of races with ball bearings(springs have to be compressed to change).......

Thanks Terry Haines, with your location info I've now found them in a detailed blow-up diagram of front spring assembly. I wonder what symptom these exhibit when worn?

Well it certainly sounds like they have given your front end a good going over and the cost seems reasonable for the work identified. So other than replacement of both wheel bearings I'm not sure there is much to question.

Please post or e-mail me some pics of that strut bearing diagram. I am curious to see them. Thanks

SVT power
Sorry, don't have scanner. I don't have car at moment to see what's visible, but components are (bottom to top); coil spring, spring seat, bearing, upper mount, upper mount retainer nut, retainer, retainer nut. Latter item is what I believe you see in engine compartment.

Edit @ 8;00pm
With car sitting you can't see anything but the lower part of the coil spring.

Okay, still don't have my car. They said the right hub bearing was shot. This I knew. They said the other side was beginning to go too. Both needed replaced. I never noticed anything about the steering 'cause she cornered fine to me but they said the right tie rod was loose. I took them at their word. Brakes and rotors I could change myself but as somebody suggested, the car is already half apart so I let them do it.

Yes, they said the plastic strut bearings were shot. Ford called back today and also said they snapped a spring and were holding the car another day til they could locate springs. They are replacing both sides at Ford's expense. He said he did some finangling.

The e-brake, well, they said the one side was seized which I think is bull because I never noticed any problems. Besides, I don't use my emergency brake that much. However, they said it was necessary to replace in order to pass inspection here in Pennsylvnaia. When they got you over the barrel, what are you gonna do? At 66K miles, I will never buy another Ford. I still have a bank one cyclinder one O2 sensor to replace. And, the tranny doesn't shift into 2nd when cold. The car is fast and corners like on rails and is a blast to drive....but it doesn't make sense cost wise.

I couldn't say anything to alleviate your disappointment in your car or Ford, but at least your dealer seems to giving you a fair shake.

The e-brake, well, they said the one side was seized which I think is bull because I never noticed any problems. Besides, I don't use my emergency brake that much.



That's why the cable seizes from not moving over an extended period of time. It's good to pop the brake lever every so often to prevent this.