2002 normal to creak over speed bumps?

[PeepPeep!]

Hello everyone!

I just purchased my 2002 Teal T-Bird and drove her all the way home from California to Washington state. She made the journey perfectly fine, and had no issues at all for over 12h of driving. My question is, at the tail end of my journey I went over a few speed bumps to get home and parked, and I noticed her front-end suspension groans/creaks unless I go over the speed bump very gently. Before the journey, she had her tie rods and steering rods replaced, but other than that, nothing relating to suspension came up on the pre-purchase inspection.

Is this normal noise when new tie end rods and steering rods were put on? Or is the creaks/groaning over speed bumps a pretty normal sound due to the suspension being older?

Any advice from retrobird owners on whether this sounds normal or if I should get it checked out by a mechanic would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

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[Frankie the Fink]

It shouldn't creak, have it checked out, but prob a minor issue.

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[PeepPeep!]

Found what is likely the culprit of the groaning sound over speed bumps. Both rubber peices are split in the front and rear with the grease falling out. I assume this means both left + right Suspension Control And Ball Joint Assembly will need to be replaced?

Based on a quick google search, this does appear to be a common issue with Retrobirds due to their age and most people garaging them most of the year. I am just curious whether those greased rubber pieces can be swapped out since the assembly itself looks good.

 

[tbird.blue]

View attachment 32226
Found what is likely the culprit of the groaning sound over speed bumps. Both rubber peices are split in the front and rear with the grease falling out. I assume this means both left + right Suspension Control And Ball Joint Assembly will need to be replaced?

Based on a quick google search, this does appear to be a common issue with Retrobirds due to their age and most people garaging them most of the year. I am just curious whether those greased rubber peices can be swapped out since the assembly itself looks good.

Hello, you can quite easily swap out the rubber boots with new generic boots and load them up with grease when u replace them. You need to measure the narrow part and the widest part of the joint and match with the boots available. Just have to be close as they stretch a bit and held with a steel clip at the fat end. I've replaced mine and no worries doing it, but best to do it sooner rather than later to avoid road dirt getting in them and grinding out the joint.
Ian

 

[biddle]

Your entire suspension should be inspected due to age of the car and apparent lack of maintenance.

See these threads-

Thread '2002-2003-2004-2005 Ford Thunderbird Control Arm With Ball Joint MCSOE38 MCSOE39 Motorcraft'

Aug 2, 2020

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Fits 2002-2003-2004-2005 Ford Thunderbird (MFG Date after 11/17/2002 )


Aftermarket kits (cheaper options)- Ebay Purchase Link




Motocraft OEM
Upper Left
Ebay Purchase Link

Amazon Purchase Link


Upper Right
Ebay Purchase Link
Amazon Purchase Link

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Thread 'Ford Thunderbird Sway Bars & Tie Rods 2002 2003 2004 2005'

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• 

 

[delay41]

My 03 does the exact same thing. More during the cold though.

 

[Jferris149]

Hello everyone!

I just purchased my 2002 Teal T-Bird and drove her all the way home from California to Washington state. She made the journey perfectly fine, and had no issues at all for over 12h of driving. My question is, at the tail end of my journey I went over a few speed bumps to get home and parked, and I noticed her front-end suspension groans/creaks unless I go over the speed bump very gently. Before the journey, she had her tie rods and steering rods replaced, but other than that, nothing relating to suspension came up on the pre-purchase inspection.

Is this normal noise when new tie end rods and steering rods were put on? Or is the creaks/groaning over speed bumps a pretty normal sound due to the suspension being older?

Any advice from retrobird owners on whether this sounds normal or if I should get it checked out by a mechanic would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

Ine creaks from the rear. I have to replace the rear Suspension arms.

 

[Merlin62]

Hello everyone!

I just purchased my 2002 Teal T-Bird and drove her all the way home from California to Washington state. She made the journey perfectly fine, and had no issues at all for over 12h of driving. My question is, at the tail end of my journey I went over a few speed bumps to get home and parked, and I noticed her front-end suspension groans/creaks unless I go over the speed bump very gently. Before the journey, she had her tie rods and steering rods replaced, but other than that, nothing relating to suspension came up on the pre-purchase inspection.

Is this normal noise when new tie end rods and steering rods were put on? Or is the creaks/groaning over speed bumps a pretty normal sound due to the suspension being older?

Any advice from retrobird owners on whether this sounds normal or if I should get it checked out by a mechanic would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

Hi Peep Peep - I suggest the trusted mechanic shop inspect. I had same on my 04 bird and the after market fix by the previous owner was a “patch job”. Sunk a few bucks in and feel much better with my suspension now. Safety first, eh?

 

[Silver Bird]

re "match with the boots available"

Sources?

 

[pamcampbell]

Hello everyone!

I just purchased my 2002 Teal T-Bird and drove her all the way home from California to Washington state. She made the journey perfectly fine, and had no issues at all for over 12h of driving. My question is, at the tail end of my journey I went over a few speed bumps to get home and parked, and I noticed her front-end suspension groans/creaks unless I go over the speed bump very gently. Before the journey, she had her tie rods and steering rods replaced, but other than that, nothing relating to suspension came up on the pre-purchase inspection.

Is this normal noise when new tie end rods and steering rods were put on? Or is the creaks/groaning over speed bumps a pretty normal sound due to the suspension being older?

Any advice from retrobird owners on whether this sounds normal or if I should get it checked out by a mechanic would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

I recently got a TommyBar and it's made a big difference in the way my 007 handles! Much smoother ride & less creaks and rattles!!! Where I live there are historic brick streets that are bad on suspensions.....the TommyBar seems to have really helped!

 

[PeepPeep!]

Update for all my T-bird friends! Ordered the parts thanks to @biddle and got the front A-arms replaced and entire suspension checked -- they said everything else looks fantastic, its just the split boots that is causing the creaking, he also noticed a low voltage code being sent due to a failing Front End Module where the instrument cluster is not recieving power.

Other than that, I can't wait to get Ms. Tiffany Bluebird back on the road!

Update Part 2: Just returned home from the repair shop, installed the new A-arms and the mechanic said everything looks incredible underneath with the suspension -- however, the front still makes a squeaky groan when going over speed bumps, that is the ONLY time it makes that noise? Since this is the 2nd mechanic (1st one was at Ford sevice center in California prior to purchase) that said everything looks in great shape with the suspension, that something may just be dry and need lubed with some fresh silicone to create less noise? I just called the mechanic back and he assures me that everything is in impeccable shape, and he does not see anything that should be an issue other than just it being an older vehicle and the control, tie ends and a-arms are new alongside the cold weather so they may just need to be driven more to get a bit more 'cushy' and make less noise and not to worry about it.

Regardless, I want a quieter ride over speed bumps since there are a lot of them in most parking lots. Any suggestions?

 

[aororex]

I've got the same creaking and groaning going over the speed bumps. I have new tie rod ends.

My neighbor is a professional mechanic and ventured a guess that it was the front sway bar bushings. If you can get to them, maybe try some dry lube or silicone spray? I haven't tried.
Personally, I'm thinking it's all the plastic behind the dash.

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I have also decided to just slow down over speed bumps and not hear the noise 🙂

If you pursue the noise, please let me / us know what solved the creaking!

 

[PeepPeep!]

I've got the same creaking and groaning going over the speed bumps. I have new tie rod ends.

My neighbor is a professional mechanic and ventured a guess that it was the front sway bar bushings. If you can get to them, maybe try some dry lube or silicone spray? I haven't tried.
Personally, I'm thinking it's all the plastic behind the dash.

Suspension Stabilizer Bar Bushing Kit TRW JBU2148 fits 02-05 Ford Thunderbird | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Suspension Stabilizer Bar Bushing Kit TRW JBU2148 fits 02-05 Ford Thunderbird at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

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I have also decided to just slow down over speed bumps and not hear the noise 🙂

If you pursue the noise, please let me / us know what solved the creaking!

Possibly, but I got brand new tie rods and sway bars installed on her prior to picking her up at the Ford service department in California. It could definitely be the plastic behind the dash creaking, but no matter how slow I go over speed bumps it always squeaks and groans. In my opinion, something in the suspension needs to likely be lubed as it is probably just dry rubbing that is making the creaks more pronounced?

 

[Randy M]

I have had my '02 Tbird here in WA State for 14-years and have never experienced this issue. Have a bit under 90K miles, so would be interested in hearing what is causing this noise -- cuz sooner or later I may be experiencing it too!

 

[edward301]

I am going to suggest you replace all the front suspension pieces, front shocks-struts, and all rear suspension
pieces along with shocks-struts. I did this over two years on all three of my T Birds and they all ride like a new
car, and do not knock or squeak over humps in the road. It has been 3 1/2 years since I did this, and everything
still perfect.

 

[PeepPeep!]

I have had my '02 Tbird here in WA State for 14-years and have never experienced this issue. Have a bit under 90K miles, so would be interested in hearing what is causing this noise -- cuz sooner or later I may be experiencing it too!

The mechanic who installed my A-arms and inspected the suspension peices says everything was in his words 'tight' due to sitting in a garage most of her life, and just needs to be driven more regularly so those peices can get less stiff. He assured me everything looked impeccable with the suspension aside from the A-arms and that the creaks should go away with more regular exercise on the suspension and warmer weather.

 

[Randy M]

The mechanic who installed my A-arms and inspected the suspension peices says everything was in his words 'tight' due to sitting in a garage most of her life, and just needs to be driven more regularly so those peices can get less stiff. He assured me everything looked impeccable with the suspension aside from the A-arms and that the creaks should go away with more regular exercise on the suspension and warmer weather.

I take the 'bird out for a 10-15 mile drive at least once every 1-2 weeks to 'exercise' all running gear. This always includes a highway stretch at speeds above 60. The undersides are as clean as the topsides, so these jaunts are limited to dry streets. As you are aware we can usually count on a dry day every so often, even here in WA State.

Up until a few years ago she sometimes sat in the garage for weeks at a time in the Winter months. Sitting for extended lengths of time (oh, I would go out to the garage and start the engine up occasionally, but not take her out), the transmission would 'clunk' into the shifts whenever I did take her out for a spin. The shifts would always smooth out after driving for awhile. With her 'new' exercise routine that does not happen anymore. It certainly does good things for any car to be driven regularly, even if for only 5-10 miles.

 

[PeepPeep!]

I take the 'bird out for a 10-15 mile drive at least once every 1-2 weeks to 'exercise' all running gear. This always includes a highway stretch at speeds above 60. The undersides are as clean as the topsides, so these jaunts are limited to dry streets. As you are aware we can usually count on a dry day every so often, even here in WA State.

Up until a few years ago she sometimes sat in the garage for weeks at a time in the Winter months. Sitting for extended lengths of time (oh, I would go out to the garage and start the engine up occasionally, but not take her out), the transmission would 'clunk' into the shifts whenever I did take her out for a spin. The shifts would always smooth out after driving for awhile. With her 'new' exercise routine that does not happen anymore. It certainly does good things for any car to be driven regularly, even if for only 5-10 miles.

Exactly!! He told me the car looks so gorgeous, and obviously was loved so much by the previous owners that they didn't drive her often because they didn't want to ruin her paint or push her too hard.. Because of that, she became a garage queen, and her suspension tightened up from lack of use and wants to stay at a certain position she is used to sitting at. With regular driving, she should go back to normal and creak less since her suspension would be used to expanding and contracting more.

He also urged me to do what you were talking about, to exercise her at high speeds when safe to do so, and put the petal to the floor every so often and burts of maybe 5-7 seconds, so her engine can burn off any carbon deposits that may be compounded in the engine and help keep her engine in tip-top shape! I was flabbergasted at how fast she can go, in a rural long stretch of road (in a safe area) tonight I floored her and she reached up to 140 without even close to hitting the red line before I got nervous and slowed down -- she handled that no problem, and is definitely a V8 fast girl, but mostly stop-and-go traffic is her enemy as a lot of the gas I waste on drives is more idling in traffic more than anything!

I am happy to have Ms. Tiffany Bluebird in my life, and I feel so blessed to be a part of the Thunderbird community! 🩷

 

[aororex]

Exactly!! He told me the car looks so gorgeous, and obviously was loved so much by the previous owners that they didn't drive her often because they didn't want to ruin her paint or push her too hard.. Because of that, she became a garage queen, and her suspension tightened up from lack of use and wants to stay at a certain position she is used to sitting at. With regular driving, she should go back to normal and creak less since her suspension would be used to expanding and contracting more.

He also urged me to do what you were talking about, to exercise her at high speeds when safe to do so, and put the petal to the floor every so often and burts of maybe 5-7 seconds, so her engine can burn off any carbon deposits that may be compounded in the engine and help keep her engine in tip-top shape! I was flabbergasted at how fast she can go, in a rural long stretch of road (in a safe area) tonight I floored her and she reached up to 140 without even close to hitting the red line before I got nervous and slowed down -- she handled that no problem, and is definitely a V8 fast girl, but mostly stop-and-go traffic is her enemy as a lot of the gas I waste on drives is more idling in traffic more than anything!

I am happy to have Ms. Tiffany Bluebird in my life, and I feel so blessed to be a part of the Thunderbird community! 🩷

Unless you really feel compelled with the need for speed 🙂 you could just select a lower gear for the high revs to "burn off any carbon". I have to admit, it is more fun your way though. Just do not go airborne... the landings are not nice. 😱

 

[PeepPeep!]

Unless you really feel compelled with the need for speed 🙂 you could just select a lower gear for the high revs to "burn off any carbon". I have to admit, it is more fun your way though. Just do not go airborne... the landings are not nice. 😱

No need to worry, I am not a speed demon! It was just 11PM at night on a rural, straight stretch of road so I figured for a good 8-10 seconds I would see what Ms. Tiffany Bluebird could do, and I was not disappointed! I know they made some improvements on the 03-05 models to have even more horsepower, but the 02 already feels too powerful for me! Took her on a nice night time drive as well today, but today was more of a cruise control sorta drive! 😂