Thanks Sal for the insight. Thought about that onec, but not a front end man so I just thought about it. Now I will have my welder at the shop do it. So tired of the eye catching popping embarashing noise, would rather they just look cause its such a bad truck!

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Rev. Andre Terranova
<*(((><
email: isa4325@flash.net
"1-BAD-TK" Texas Tag,
RED IN COLOR

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Best Time 12.986 @ 107.54 "Tweeked to the Max".
[05-11-1999 #1132]
"Certificate on the Wall"


"Only Little Boys Wear Bow Ties"

 

Sal:
You are my buddie and always will be, but I have just been lubing the stops and that seems to cure the problem, at least temporarily.

The remedy you posted is totally beyond my Ford selling dealer and perhaps not something the Lincoln dealer I use for normal service is willing to do.

Without really putting your neck on the line, do you think we (generic Lightning owners) can live without doing the procedure you outlined and not have our front ends self destruct?
I really, really do not want to go through that procedure unless absolutely necessary.
Bill

 

It's not really that big a deal to fix it Bill. Go to you local muffler shop, and have them tack weld the washers. It will take 5 minutes and probably cost less than $20. The steering stop lube is required for all trucks, but that only stops the noise at full lock turns when the spindle contacts the stops on the control arm. Most trucks do it on sharp turns, but not fully locked. This is the noise made by the movement of the arm in the frame slots.

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SAL
13.24@103mph
All stock with Power Surge Performance 99 Lightning Chip and Filter Kit
PowerSurgePerf@aol.com

 

Hey guys, Sal here. Since this topic has been covered many times, I won't go into detail on the problem as everyone probably knows about it (and if you don't, do a search), but I will comment on what I did. As most know, the rear of the drives lower control arm moves in the slotted hole in the frame. I called the hotline to see if they has a fix yet, and they told me to replace the control arm (in case the bushing was being damaged from the movement) and then tack weld the bolt to the frame. I wasn't thirlled about it, but it seemed okay to me. So I put the new arm in, and zipped down to the exhaust shop we use at the dealer, and they welded it for me. The nice thing is, you don't actually weld the bolt, you weld the washers, so if you had to remove the bolt in the future, it will still come right out. I don't really think the control arm needs to be replaced after looking at how it's set up with the bushing, but I strongly suggest you get yours welded in place. You won't regret it. I may be crazy, but it really feels like it made the truck more responsive. I think that arm moves more than we think

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SAL
13.24@103mph
All stock with Power Surge Performance 99 Lightning Chip and Filter Kit
PowerSurgePerf@aol.com

 

Hadnt someone else posted about an eccentric kit (they called it a cam kit i think) to take care of this problem? I work at a dealership and asked the front end tech about it. He says he has seen it on expeditions and regular Fseries but not on a lightning yet.- but he didnt know anything about the eccentric kit.

Im just heard mine pop for the first time at 2700 miles 2 days ago so im gonna try to do something about it this week... ill let you guys know what I find.

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Struck by Lightning
Lightningstruck9@aol.com

Furthering the American Quest of Unlimited Horsepower and Crappy Gas Mileage!

 

Sal

Looked under the Lightning today to check out your post. I found that the bolts you are talking about have slipped a little in the slots. Will i have to have it aleined again first, or just slip the bolts back into original possesion before welding?? I can see where the tires are wearing more on the inside edge. Thanks Sal

 

back to top

 

Sal, planning to have my JBAs installed in the next couple of days, and while that's being done I thought I would have my mechanic tack weld the washers on the lower control arm. How do I know where they should be positioned, and whether they have slipped or not?

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I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy.

'92 Civic Si, Centerforce Dualfriction clutch, no front license plate.
"00 SVT Lightning, silver, G-tech Pro, no mods yet (JBA headers and Sal's filter kit on order)

alphadoggy@jetlink.net

 

Well, I honestly didn't use any scientific method for the bolt placement. I just made sure it was in the middle of the area where you can see it moves. Welded it there, and all seems fine.

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SAL
13.24@103mph
All stock with Power Surge Performance 99 Lightning Chip and Filter Kit
PowerSurgePerf@aol.com

 

Had our parts guys look up the Ford eccentric kit for the lower arms... ran over to the service writer and he said that as long as its under 12/12 that the eccentric kit will be covered by warrranty.

He said to make a note on the R.O. about hearing about all of these lightnings with the problem and the fix on the internet just incase the claim is rejected so he has ammo to argue with the regional rep about it.

Lets hear it for the power of shared knowledge!!

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Struck by Lightning
Lightningstruck9@aol.com

Furthering the American Quest of Unlimited Horsepower and Crappy Gas Mileage!

 

Sal

Could you send me a picture on my e-mail on the part where you welded (jrs@evoserve.com)

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99.5 lightning
super chip
downford filter
headlight and fog light bulbs care of (Roger) great lights
alpine head unit
upgraded speakers
dyna mat all over
soft cover soon to be hard
cervini (soon)
looking cross drilled rotors front & rear

Subaru wrx sti ver2
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blue with gold mags
water injector
oil cooler
4 piston brakes
greedy exhaust
greedy profect (boost controler)
greedy turbo timer
cusco shift light
quick shift
cusco lower and upper strut bars

 

Does anyone have a part number for this cam kit that fixes the lower controlarm movement? Thanks

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99.5 red Lightning
13.2@103
jcks@home.com

 

My Ford dealership fixed my alignment problem after two trys. I didn't have a clunck, but mine did pull to the right. They charged Ford $244.49 for the fix. Here are the parts and descriptions from my copy of the invoice:

FMC F65Z 3B236 BB - CAM & BLT ASY-FRT SU
FMC F65Z 3C178 AA - CAM-FRT SUSP UPR ARM

I show they used 4 of each for the fix. The fix was described as "Checked alignment and changed caster and camber and installed alignment bolts and washers."

The L nows runs straight as ****! It better with only 3,000 miles on it.

Hope that helps...Alex

Alex Lansky
99 Black L
#3205

[This message has been edited by 1BADFRD (edited 03-21-2000).]

 

I tack welded the washers front and rear on the drivers side.Funny thing is there were none on the passenger side . The passenger side bolt look like it had never moved. The drivers side,the one with washers front and rear had wallowed about. Feels better but I wonder if I should get washers and weld the passenger side. Anyone else's set up from the factory this way?

[This message has been edited by Twisted99 (edited 03-21-2000).]

 

1BDFRD since you truck only has 3,000 on it if you are still under 12 months then the repair should have been covered under warranty.

Anything regarding alignment is 12/12



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Struck by Lightning
Lightningstruck9@aol.com

Furthering the American Quest of Unlimited Horsepower and Crappy Gas Mileage!