New TSB for lower control arm noise 2011-2013

[Swetrid]

Ford just issued another tsb for lower control arm noise and now includes 2013!

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TSB
12-8-24 GRUNT/CREAK/CHIRP/SQUEAK NOISE FROM THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM OVER BUMPS

Publication Date: August 30, 2012

FORD: 2011-2013 Mustang


The article supersedes TSB 11-10-17 to remove the production fix date, update the model years, Service Labor Time Standards and Part List.

ISSUE:
Some 2011-2013 Mustangs vehicles may exhibit a grunt/creak/chirp/squeak noise from the front lower control arm hydro bushing. These noises may occur over large vertical bumps like speed bumps, pot holes, rough roads and driveway approaches.

ACTION:
Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

Use chassis ears on the lower control arm hydro bushing bracket tabs to verify noise is coming from the hydro bushing. The hydro bushing is the large diameter bushing at the rear of the control arm.
If the noise is not confirmed as coming from the hydro bushing, do not continue with this article. Refer to Workshop Manual, Section 204-00 for normal diagnostics.
If the noise is confirmed as coming from the hydro bushing, replace the lower control arm that is making the noise. Refer to WSM, Section 204-01.

PART NUMBER PART NAME
CR3Z-3078-C Arm Assy - Right Front
CR3Z-3079-C Arm Assy - Left Front
W710141-S439 Lower Arm Rear Bolt
W709865-S439 Lower Arm Front Bolt
W710909-S439 Steering Gear Bolt
W711123-S439 Ball Joint Bolt
W520215-S440 Lower Arm Rear Nut
W520214-S440 Ball Joint Nut
W713882-S437 Rack Nut


WARRANTY STATUS:
Eligible Under Provisions Of New Vehicle Limited Warranty Coverage
IMPORTANT: Warranty/ESP coverage limits/policies/prior approvals are not altered by a TSB. Warranty/ESP coverage limits are determined by the identified causal part and verified using the OASIS part coverage tool.

OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME
120824A 2011-2013 Mustang: Replace One (1) Front Lower Control Arm, Includes Time To Diagnose 1.8 Hrs.
120824B 2011-2013 Mustang: Replace Two (2) Front Lower Control Arms, Includes Time To Diagnose 2.1 Hrs.

DEALER CODING
BASIC PART NO. CONDITION CODE
3078 42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTE: The information in Technical Service Bulletins is intended for use by trained, professional technicians with the knowledge, tools, and equipment to do the job properly and safely. It informs these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or provides information that could assist in proper vehicle service. The procedures should not be performed by "do-it-yourselfers". Do not assume that a condition described affects your car or truck. Contact a Ford or Lincoln dealership to determine whether the Bulletin applies to your vehicle. Warranty Policy and Extended Service Plan documentation determine Warranty and/or Extended Service Plan coverage unless stated otherwise in the TSB article. The information in this Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) was current at the time of printing. Ford Motor Company reserves the right to supercede this information with updates. The most recent information is available through Ford Motor Company's on-line technical resources.

Copyright © 2012 Ford Motor Company

 

[dirtyd88]

Any specific production dates? Or does affect all of the produced cars, period?

After I first bought my car, I did notice a bushing noise coming from the front, but after exercising the suspension over a couple weeks, it's gone now...:shrug:

 

[SILV03MustangGT]

If my car sits for a week it'll make the noise for a while until they seem to break back in.

 

[ViperBlueCobra]

Mine does this. Guess I'll take her in now.

Josh

 

[01bluesnake]

Been waiting for this to come out. Have had crunch noise from the front control arms for some time.

 

[stang8psi]

Same here!! Going in and out of my driveway I get a creaking cracking noise!

 

[AZCobraCMDR]

Is this the squeak I hear over bumps when I make a right turn? Ugh.

 

[me32]

Not much of a surprise the gt an gt500 05-09 had the same issue an there was a tsb for the exact same thing. I'm surprised they haven't fixed this issue yet on a new car.

 

[STROKED2VALVE]

Yep I got this too. Need to go back to dealer.

 

[Tubra]

Had this issue too. My driver's side front ctrl arm was replaced. Drove me nuts!

 

[stang910]

I have this issue when I hit the brakes. Wonder if Ford will warranty this even though I'm lowered.

 

[turka]

mines been making a dungeon door creaking sound (as my gf calls it) for a while now. I'd rather not have ford touch my car to replace it with most likely a new-er version of the same shitty part.

Anyone running aftermarket FLCA's?

 

[Graboid]

I have this issue when I hit the brakes. Wonder if Ford will warranty this even though I'm lowered.

You would think yes because it is known issue prior to lowering...but it's according to how you service dept. feels if they will or not most of the time.

 

[STROKED2VALVE]

My 12 is at ford now for this. I will update in the next few days.

 

[gen2lightning]

Sweet taking it in while doing the oil change.

 

[04sleeper]

Already swapped my lower control arms. So no, I won't be taking my car in. LOL

 

[MikeLTDLX]

I've got it when slowly going over things like speed bumps. Just another noise to add to the tick from the engine, the rattle from the rear brakes, the whine from the trans and the slapping around from the clutch at stop lights. The car is fast, so I just accept this stuff as par for the course. I know many people are going to take their cars in for these things, but a few noises from a car that runs 11's in the heat and cost $27,000 is acceptable to me.

Mike

 

[Tib02]

I had to have both of mine replaced, took a week for the parts to come in =/

 

[Spd2Stang]

Got this done with 1K miles on the car.

Noticed mainly when pulling out of the driveway. No more noise.

 

[dirtyd88]

I haven't heard the noise since about week 4 of owning the car. And I have speed bumps on my daily commute, as well as just out of my apt. Neither cold nor warm suspension parts create these noises any more. Should I still have it done out of precaution?