Help with IDing part (PIC)

[MustangP51]

I have been trying to find this part online for awhile now, but its tough when you dont know what to call it. Anyone have the real name for it, it attaches to the back of the front diff and attaches to the frame. The bushing is shot and I think this is the source of a clunking noise I have coming from my front end.

 

[gmanpaint]

I'm not 100% sure but that looks like the rear front diff mount. It would def make the front clunk a bunch if it is.

 

[ranger7ltr]

Is it #2 in the diagram?

If it is, this piece is called the Axle mount bracket...

 

[MustangP51]

I'm not 100% sure but that looks like the rear front diff mount. It would def make the front clunk a bunch if it is.

Thanks thats what I have been using to search for the part "Front Differential Mount" but cant find it online and advance and autozone cant find anything with out a part number.

 

[MustangP51]

If it is, this piece is called the Axle mount bracket...

Thanks diagram is very helpful, after a quick search with Axle mount bracket i still am not coming up with anything, Does that have a part number by any chance

 

[ranger7ltr]

This diagram came from my FSM...

But I started looking to see if there was a part number and of course i couldn't find one...

But I did find this same diagram at www.faspartsnetwork.com under front suspension, Carrier and front axle...

That piece is kinda pricey though...

 

[Joe Dirt]

autozone cant find anything with out a part number.

Autozone can't find anything WITH a part number!

I was in there last night trying to get coolant sensors, and gave him the Ford part number off the side of the old one. Of course, instead of just looking it up with the damn number, he insists- "what year... what model... what engine..." After arguing with him that he entered it wrong, it's not a 4wd, it's an AWD, and him telling me that "you can't have a V8 because there isn't an option for that under the 4wd" I had to tell him to move, and enter the info myself. 1997. AWD. V8. "Oh, there it is- under AWD." Just like I told him 4 times.

After all that, he pulls it up and voila- there is the Motorcraft part number next to it. If someone carries the part into the store, just cross-ref the part!!!

Trust me- I feel your pain...

On an aside, that may be a dealer only part, and if AZ or Advance doesn't have access to it, it may not show up. Some of them show up as dealer only, some dealer only parts don't show up in their system at all...

 

[MustangP51]

Autozone can't find anything WITH a part number!

Haha so true, Every time I go into autozone I have a new story about how much time was wasted dealing with someone who couldn't have been more unhelpful. My favorite are the parts you lookup on their website that they say they have, that they cant find in their system.

SOO Frustrating

I will check with the dealer tomorrow, but I have a feeling the bushing is only available in a kit that includes a new differential housing that is $1200.

 

[ranger7ltr]

Did you find the bracket on Fast Parts Network?

That bracket that bolts onto the front diff is listed for 149.37 which is high for a bushing... I wonder if James Duff has anything for this application...

 

[techieman33]

I found it on fastpartsnetwork.com it's under front suspension, carrier and front axles, axle housing. And it's $150, for that price I would be looking for one in a junkyard.

 

[vroomzoomboom]

if you haven't, try this link. i was looking for what your after, but didn't see it. it has to be there. i know a few months back i needed a bushing for the rear shackles that goes into the frame and i found it, after two different people on here told me they didn't make them.

http://www.fordparts.com/default.aspx

 

[MustangP51]

Thanks alot everyone for your help, im going to the dealer on Tuesday to try and find the bushing. Ill post what I find out.

 

[drdoom]

I was searching around trying to find that bushing...does anyone know anything more about this?

 

[drdoom]

bumper

 

[jabiraca]

I could notice a vertical motion of the bracket while a helper had the car with parking brakes set and kept shifting from N to D and R.

Is this expected?

I'm suspecting this is the source of a clunk I hear when I'm taking off or stopping.

I believe I found 2 offers of this bushing on eBay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BRAND-NEW-FORD-LINCOLN-MERCURY-OEM-FRONT-DRIVING-AXLE-BUSHING-F67Z-3A443-AA-/230995153330?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item35c86251b2&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-OEM-FORD-LINCOLN-MERCURY-FRONT-AXLE-CASE-MOUNT-BUSH-F67Z-3A443-AA-/351004944443?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item51b986683b&vxp=mtr

It looks like the bushing is pressed into the bracket. I'm thinking of using ball joint pressing tool to remove it and install the new one.

Any thoughs?

 

[gmanpaint]

That Axle mount bushing rarely goes bad. The front diff is held in tight at 3 points.

I would take a prybar to the trans mount to check for rubber tears, as that part fails frequently, and will cause a clunk on start/stop.

 

[jabiraca]

I made a video of the "play" on that bushing.

I believe that's not supposed to move like that while the car is still (brakes engaged).


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Myyk-obqsug

I believe the 2 other bushings can be good since they're not stressed that much when the diff is pushing or reversing. They are in a horizontal position.

But this bushing on the video is in a vertical position and gets stressed every take off and stop. I believe that's why it's worn out.

 

[Turdle]

I made a video of the "play" on that bushing.

I believe that's not supposed to move like that while the car is still (brakes engaged).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Myyk-obqsug

I believe the 2 other bushings can be good since they're not stressed that much when the diff is pushing or reversing. They are in a horizontal position.

But this bushing on the video is in a vertical position and gets stressed every take off and stop. I believe that's why it's worn out.

Hmmm, the mount bolt looks loose to me. Could it be cross threaded?

 

[gmanpaint]

There is also the pads on the torsion bars that wear out and metal to metal contact is made causing a noise.

 

[Turdle]

Also, the v8 awd is known to make a thunk when the cv joint on the transfer case end of the front drive shaft is worn. There are several "awd front drive shaft" threads about this issue. You do have to drop the drive shaft to inspect the cv. When you do you will see a small rubber boot. Flex it in all directions looking for a split. If it is split, the cv is dirty and should be rebuilt, or replaced.

I am not referring to the front cv axles, there is a 3rd cv on the rear of the front drive shaft. Just to be clear.