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Body/Frame - Front/Rear Squeak/Creak Noises

TSB 10-22-8

11/22/10

FRONT AND/OR REAR CREAK/SQUEAK NOISE DUE
TO SUBFRAME LOCATING PINS CONTACTING
VEHICLE BODY

FORD:
2001-2011 Escape

MERCURY:
2005-2011 Mariner

This article supersedes TSB 10-1-9 to update the Service Procedure and model years.

ISSUE
Some 2001-2011 Escape and 2005-2011 Mariner vehicles may exhibit an underbody creak or squeak when accelerating from a stop or when braking to a stop. Depending on model year, the noise may appear to come from the front or rear underbody or suspension area.

ACTION
Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

2001-2007 Only - Front - Creak/Squeak Noise:





1. Attach chassis ears to the areas indicated. Can the noise be isolated to one or both of these specific locations? (Figure 1)

a. No - Do not continue with this procedure. Proceed to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 100-04.

b. Yes - Suspect the subframe locating pins are contacting the locating holes of the vehicle body.

(1) Loosen the two (2) front subframe nuts and the two (2) front subframe attachment bolts.

NOTE
DO NOT ALLOW THE FRONT SUBFRAME REAR BOLTS TO COME OUT OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHING.





(2) Reposition the subframe to center the locating pins so there is no longer contact with any edge of the locating hole. (Figure 2)

NOTE
THE PINS ARE MORE LIKELY TO CONTACT THE REARWARD SIDE OF THE HOLES. THEREFORE, THE SUBFRAME ASSEMBLY WILL MOST LIKELY NEED TO BE MOVED FORWARD IN VEHICLE.

(3) Tighten the front subframe front nuts. Refer to WSM, Section 502-00.

NOTE
WHEN INSTALLING THE FRONT SUBFRAME REAR BOLTS, ENSURE BOTH FRONT SUBFRAME REAR BOLTS ARE FULLY ENGAGED IN THEIR CAGE NUTS BEFORE TIGHTENING TO SPECIFICATION.

(4) Tighten the front subframe rear attachment bolts. Refer to WSM Section 502-00.

(5) Adjust front caster, camber, and toe. Refer to WSM, Section 204-00.

2001-2011 - Rear - Creak/Squeak Noise:

1. Attach chassis ears to the areas indicated. Can the noise be isolated to one or both of these specific locations? (Figure 3)

a. No - Do not continue with this procedure. Proceed to WSM, Section 100-04.

b. Yes - Suspect the subframe locating pins are contacting the locating holes of the vehicle body.

(1) Loosen the four (4) rear subframe bolts.

(2) Reposition the subframe to center the locating pins so there is no longer contact with any edge of the locating hole. (Figure 4)

NOTE

NOTE: THE PINS ARE MORE LIKELY TO CONTACT THE REARWARD SIDE OF THE HOLES. THEREFORE, THE SUBFRAME ASSEMBLY WILL MOST LIKELY NEED TO BE MOVED FORWARD IN VEHICLE.

(3) Tighten the four (4) subframe bolts. Refer to WSM, Section 502-00.

(4) Adjust rear toe. Refer to WSM, Section 204-00.

WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under Provisions Of New Vehicle Limited Warranty Coverage
IMPORTANT: Warranty coverage limits/policies are not altered by a TSB. Warranty coverage limits are determined by the identified causal part.

OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME

102208A 2001-2011 Escape, 0.6 Hr.
2005-2011 Mariner,
2005-2011 Escape Hybrid,
2006-2011 Mariner Hybrid:
Includes Time To
Diagnose Using Chassis
Ears, And Road Test. Can
Be Claimed With B, C And
D (Do Not Use With Any
Labor Operations Outside
Of This Article)

102208B 2001-20007 Escape, 0.2 Hr.
2005-2007 Mariner,
2005-2007 Escape Hybrid,
2006-2007 Mariner Hybrid:
Includes Time To Adjust
Front Sub Frame Following
Service Procedure. Can Be
Claimed With Operation A,
C, And D (Do Not Use
With Any Labor Operations
Outside Of This Article)

102208C 2001-2011 Escape, 0.2 Hr.
2005-2011 Mariner,
2005-2011 Escape Hybrid,
2006-2011 Mariner Hybrid:
Includes Time To Adjust
Rear Sub Frame Following
Service Procedure. Must
Be Claimed With Operation
A, B, And D (Do Not Use
With Any Labor Operations
Outside Of This Article)

102208D 2001-2011 Escape, 1.1 Hrs.
2005-2011 Mariner,
2005-2011 Escape Hybrid,
2006-2011 Mariner Hybrid:
Includes Time To Check
And Adjust Camber,
Caster, And Toe Can Be
Claimed With A, B, And C
(Do Not Use With Any
Labor Operations Outside
Of This Article)

DEALER CODING
CONDITION
BASIC PART NO. CODE
5035 07





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