First time post so forgive if I put this under the wrong community tag. Took my 69 XR7 390 into a local TechNation shop (Houston) due to rattling suspension noise under normal/light driving. After replacing front and rear sway bar bushings the rattling continued. Now they want to do a full front and rear end rebuild.
Purchased this Cougar 11/2018 and installed the WCCC front end rebuild kit with new springs/shocks 8/2019. I am guilty of not driving the car consistently 2022-2026 but am left wondering why the WCCC kit bushings would fail over the last 7 years. Thoughts?
If your car has front disc brakes there are caliper mounting bolt insulators that wear out and will cause a front end rattle.
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If they already did work to “fix” the rattle, I certainly wouldn’t give them a second pass. I have had multiple clunks from front ends on my Cougars, and had some luck isolating them by putting the front end up on jackstands under the frame rails and yanking on things that flex or have mounting points that should not. Having someone rebound your suspension by pressing down on the fenders while you are able to get down close each side may also help you pinpoint more closely where the noise is coming from.
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I’d be looking for another shop. Saying that they need to do both front and rear suspension is a big red flag for parts swappers. Need somebody that can diagnose and find the real issue. Get the car in the air and you probably find it. Front a arms were known to rattle and extended grease fittings can fix that. WCCChas a good video on front suspension inspection.
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Does the rattle go away when you hit the brakes?
Causes pads to rattle….slightly apply the brakes when it normally rattles…if it stops when applying, it might be the pads rattling be cause the retainers are missing
No. Upon getting the car on the rack, the bushings are worn/cracked on upper/lower CA, inner/outer TR. Im just a little disappointed those didnt last longer since I redid the same back in 2019. 7 years out of a front end doesnt seem right since I didnt drive it much.
New old stock lasts a lot longer than reproduction stuff.
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The bushings or the dust boots? Upper CA bushings are metal caps over the rod with a grease seal, so they wear, but they don’t crack. Even with cracked boots you can keep grease in the joints and get some decent longevity with regular maintenance. Have you identified where the rattle(s) are coming from?
I’m starting to see the light. Manufacturers engineer parts and vehicles to wear out quicker to ensure future revenues. I know most Cougars will outlive their current owners and I plan to enjoy mine as long as possible. Too bad money is an object.
I get it that you are upset over the cracking but that doesn’t cause a rattle. I think the rubber bushings sold today are harder then they were in the past and they do show signs of cracking earlier. Most cracking is not serious. Maybe if you post some pictures that might help.