Mondeo suspension question...

ailuro2

OK, had a problem a few weeks back with my Mondeo suspension, worked out the crunchy noise it was making was the suspension springs when the end of a spring pinged off. (Fitted approx 13th April)

So we got a local garage to replace aforementioned springs, noise disappeared.

Now the noise has returned, very similar crunchy/creaky type noise as before. I have just been out to look at the car, and when I press down on the rear end of the car it stays down, then when I pull it up it stays up - can anyone tell me if this is normal for a Mondeo?

Appreciate anyone's input on this - I've not done much work on cars before, thought the good folks on here would be able to help.

1956

Hi
I would associate that type of problem with the shock absorber, the spring should not hold it down (as long as its not broken again?) the shocker could have been damaged while the spring was, or a outside chance it may also be the rear axle bushes , it would involve getting underneath. Or taking the wheel off to investigate further and pin it down.
Cheers dean.m

ailuro2

Cheers Dean.

sorry to ask more questions...

We've been there done that with the rear axle bushes, but that was about 30K miles ago...

If it's the shockers, wouldn't the springs send the car back up again after I have pushed it down?

Wouldn't the garage have noted the shock absorber was u/s and reported it to us, since it would mean more work for them anyway?

1956

hi
well there you go with the bushes common mondy fault,to answer the question would the spring push it up,yes but if the shocker is lest say stiff/damaged/ partially seized then its that what will hold the car down, the spring not being strong enought to push it back up. would the garge have noticed, difficult to say , but you did say it was ok after the new spring/springs so it may not have been obvious at the time?, and things have a habit of failing at any time. like i say best way is overalls on and wheel off for a quick look.
dean.m

ailuro2

Thanks again for the advice, what you're saying makes sense now I think about it.

I worked in a dirty job for 20 years, so have developed an aversion to getting my hands dirty on my days off - think I'll take the wheel off and have a quick look for signs of oil tomorrow then give the garage a phone.:o I've not many tools here at home , so am limited as to what I could do anyway.;)

1956

hi
"I worked in a dirty job for 20 years, so have developed an aversion to getting my hands dirty on my days off ":rotfl::rotfl:
the car should have a jack and a wheel brace all you nned to look, just so you can have a look to see anything obvious and the you may be wiser as to what to tell the garge and what they tell and quote you,
best of luck.
cheer dean.m

ailuro2

I know I should be ashamed of myself, but my hands have seen enough grease and gunge to last them a lifetime. It was only in the last few years that we wore gloves to protect them from the worst of it.

I took the wheels off when the noise first started, I thought the handbrake was maybe seizing on again (it has a habit of doing that!) so I can manage that no bother.

As a woman it's always better to have a bit of a scooby what I'm talking about before I talk to them. Sadly, it helps stop the bills mounting inexplicably.:p

1956

well, i too have blown brake/asbestos dust out of calipers when changing pads before all the health and safty came about, but thats a consequnce of being old:D
and yes another good mondy trait sticking rear hand brake calipers. yes i have a mondeo too!
heres a good place for information/help on mondeos
http://www.fordmondeo.org/forum/showforum.php?fid/161/
cheers dean.m

ailuro2

I never had a Ford till hubby persuaded me the new Mondeos were getting great write ups and it would be a good replacement for our R reg Toyota Carina. This was back in 2004, we bought ours at a year old and have had it since.

The bushes were covered under warranty, but all the handbrakes, discs and calipers have been paid for every year or so by yours truly. This year I'll be getting the handbrake cable replaced when it gets serviced, as it's much cheaper to get just the handbrake done than all the discs and calipers too because the cable has rusted up again.....

Before Ford I had a Nissan a Mazda and the Toyota. I know where I'll be looking for my next family car.

Even the Peugot 206 we bought as a runaround has had no problems compared to the Mondeo. It has bigger mirrors too:p

Having said all that it's a great car for on the motorway, nice comfortable ride and it fairly cruises along.

Shame we don't drive on motorways very often, really!!:rotfl: