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2012 Titanium Front Strut Low Speed Noise (Clunk/Rattle)

645K views 3K replies 293 participants last post by  alex_5161 
#1 ·
My 2012 Titanium has an annoying low speed strut rattle. When it was new it wasn't there. It took a few weeks to materialize. It's only heard at low speeds. While turning or braking it is super noticeable. The service department freely acknowledged the sound was there. I must give them credit for not denying it.
We took the car to the dealer ship, and found nothing "technically" wrong. They greased the front strut bushings and the sounds went away for about two weeks. Yes. It really wasn't there anymore. I was thrilled.
However, it returned at the same exact rate and loudness as when I first bought it.
Now that it's been a couple months the sound is back full and loud.
The sound IS strut related. I know enough about automotive mechanics not to to be fooled by other sounds and noises. Since the grease made the sound go away for a short time the issue is clearly a strut issue.

Does anyone else have this problem?
The solution so far is only very temporary. I'd like to know if others are getting this noise.
Will Ford or the strut manufacturer make right on this? That remains to be seen.
 
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#2,182 ·
...and...

Silence is loud. Not a single peep from the front end. No metal to metal clink, clunk, clank. No rubbing noise, no squeak.... nothing.

The replaced parts were the Lower Control Arms. The control arms themselves, as the Tech stated, were in "perfect condition," but the bushings were making all the noise...all of it.

It's beautiful, man. [headbang]

If you try out Dysan's method and it's still doing that, you just may do well to have them look into that...particularly if you're in a very dry climate. I'm wondering if it is possible (or a good idea) to form some sort of dust boot around the large bushings since it is so dry and dusty here and prevent that. Something tells me the excessive heat we had here this summer played a role.
 
#2,183 ·
...and...

Silence is loud. Not a single peep from the front end. No metal to metal clink, clunk, clank. No rubbing noise, no squeak.... nothing.

The replaced parts were the Lower Control Arms. The control arms themselves, as the Tech stated, were in "perfect condition," but the bushings were making all the noise...all of it.

It's beautiful, man. [headbang]...
Awesome news, RedoFromStart! You just made my day. [thumb]

Crystal
 
#2,186 ·
When I was looking for my noise. I thought the big bushing on the lower control arm could be a source of the noise. I know there was someone recent that said after applying my fix he still had the noise return. I think that was Lipshurt.. The really only way to test this is to disconnect the lower control arm from the strut/spindle area and then once it's free you should be able to wiggle it around and should hear no noises. If you do then bingo bad bushing.

Congrats Redo.. I think this is the first time iv'e heard of that Ford has associated the lower control arm bushing with the clunk noise. Maybe others that have more than the noisy bump stop now have one other confirmed possibility to have looked at.
 
#2,187 ·
Need some info on the TSB parts. I know the TSB springs are revised, but what about the strut bearings and nut/bolts? Anyone knows if the TSB related bearings were also revised? The TSB changes all these components but not sure if only springs are different..
Really hope someone has some info here -thanks!
 
#2,188 · (Edited)
I finished...I managed to read through all 219 pages! Lol Anyways, I have a 2013 Ford Focus SE hatchback 5 speed. First noticed the chattering front suspension at 2,000 miles one morning while turning out of my complex for work. It seems to go away once I speed up above 20mph and after a few minutes of driving. Also, usually occurs when turning on broken pavement. Yesterday I went to the dealer for 5 problems with the car. They denied all of them and claimed they could not find any problems. For the sake of this thread I won't go into each one. However regarding the front suspension, they stated the techs called the Ford hotline and were informed that this is a normal characteristic for all 2012-2013 Ford Focus'
 
#2,191 ·
From having read, in the past couple months, thousands of posts, I'd say:

1. Go to a different dealer, try again, and be more persistent. Offer to take the mech for a drive and show him the problems.

2. Come here and get help. There are Service specialists from Ford here that will get Zone Service Managers involved.

3. Stick to your guns. Fire for effect.
 
#2,192 · (Edited)
So here's what you had done back then:

http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/showpost.php?p=4368118&postcount=1243

Seems to me if there is anything to be learned from digesting this thread and/or living this Focus (noise) nightmare is that wholesale replacement of suspension parts are not in any way a proven remedy - if the noise originates from the bump-stop.
 
#2,195 ·
I've finally found some time to get on jacks and try lubing the bump-stops. I naturally have skepticism due to the number of times I've tried rectifying this issue and the fact that I have aftermarket bump stops. But ultimately-nothing ventured, nothing gained.
 
#2,196 ·
Well, I went for my test drive upon completion. I will say that this most definitely did help, although there is still some clunk left. I'm pretty sure that, while this does help and can possibly be a temporary/permanent solution for some, it is not definitively a fix for all by any means. My clunk actually sounds similar in quietness now to the first few months of ownership. It just grew to mind-numbing over time.

Going back to the beginning of the thread, the first bump stop lube was reported be Mistofoleez on 1/18/12. Mistofoleez is the thread originator and can verify that, at least for that car, it was never a permanent solution. On the opposite side of the argument, there have also been those that tried the lube and said it solved their clunk. In regards to those that didn't return for an update-I don't think we can draw positive or negative opinions from that.

Before someone wants to flame me and attempt to determine whether they think I did it correctly or not, I will tell you that I am a licensed A&P mechanic that begun my career as a automotive mechanic. I can assure you that I did this correctly. I even used aircraft grade grease.

I didn't think to show you pics of where/how to jack the car, but that is covered in your users manual. It's probably best (for liability purposes) that I don't specifically advise that anyway. After breaking torque on your wheels and jacking your car, remove the wheel. What you will see will be similar (I have lowering springs) to this-


The boot (accordian plastic piece) is just snapped on up top, so squeeze, twist, and pull down to see your bump stop. Your bump stop will appear to be lighter in color if you're still OEM (more beige iirc), but it will be pushed father up in your upper mount than this pic-



After you're done lubing, simply reverse the process and you're done.

I'm pretty confident that the LCA will be the fix on my car considering the fact that every other component in the front suspension has been completely out and/or replaced since I've owned it. I followed Zillon and he and I discussed it a lot, and I think that he was at that point as well before giving up and trading it off. Fwiw, the LCA is also identified as a similar fix on clunking Mazda's.

Either way, if you haven't tried it yet it is worth a shot. If you don't feel comfortable doing it then ask your dealership about trying it (or whatever dealership will work with you). But if you have tried it and it worked for you, be happy and don't flame everyone else. This is definitely not the only fix.

Wall-of-text over [thumb]
 
#2,197 ·
I do NOT understand how you can pump grease through that gap of a few thousandths of an inch.
 
#2,198 ·
Lol, the syringe comes with a little plastic tube that you can slip all the way to the stop. I used a screwdriver to pry a little gap. I also used some little popsicle sticks to assist and spun the stop around to ensure good coverage. I pulled bump stop completely out of the upper mount to coat the inside of where it sits as well.

Edit: Also, if you have a helping hand to squeeze the syringe you could also use one hand to squeeze the bump stop (which produces a larger gap) and one hand to hold the tube. This produces enough gap but unfortunately requires three hands.
 
#2,205 ·
I still wouldn't refer to mine as a clunk but rather front end chatter/rattling. Similar to a loose sway bar endlink chattering away at another metal component for a few seconds. Obviously this would be easily detectable upon a 120 point inspection but the dealer found nothing. I'm sure mines not as noticable as others but to a trained ear we know when something is a miss like this. Occurs while pullig out onto broken pavement, at a low speed, and colder temps. I'll try the greese method on the bump stops wih the next tire rotation/oil change.
 
#2,214 ·
I have been dealing with this for over a year and 40k miles. Mine started at about 200 miles, and is exactly as described by others. Temperature specific. 55 degrees is the worst. 80 degrees its gone, and as it warms up it goes away usually gone after 15 minutes of driving. Only on slow micro-bumps. It's a rattle, that turns into a Tika-Tika and then a Tika-tik, and then a Tika, and then a tik, and then a tik. When its bad, it will rattle every time I press the clutch down to go I to second gear. I can make the rattle by lugging the engine.

I have also found that the sure fire TEMPORARY fix, is simply lifting the car off the front wheels. This is why almost every solution seems to work for a while. I've been lifting the car every Monday afternoon, and that usually lasts all week. I can't go to the dealer because the sound is usually gone by the time I get there.

When its doing it, the nature of the sound is that of two pieces of metal, or plastic on metal that are NOT tightly pressed together. If you could find the two pieces you would be able to move them and make the sound. It would not take hitting a bump etc. it's just plain loose.

Something gets tight when it gets warm. Points to exhaust, but my mic pointed to the strut tower. I did the grease thing many times, and also lined the inside of the bump stop with felt and also insulated the strut shaft above the bump stop. It always goes away for a week or two.

It's seems I can also make the noise stop for a bit by simply driving over some big bumps, or popping the clutch or other very aggressive driving. Something shifts around. Points to engine mounts.

That is a LOT of clues, but no dealer has ever been interested in my list of clues. I have been round and round and round and ROUND with the "regional service rep" and that goes nowhere. They can't call a dealer and tell them to fix my car. All they can do is call a dealer and ask them if they are "willing" to look at my car. And then all they want to do is check for a TSB, and do what they are told. Zero troubleshooting interest. I guess that is the way ford does warranty repair. The dealer can only do what ford says to do. So they do that stupid TSB and drive the car in figure 8s on smooth pavement.
 
#2,216 ·
I find it very odd that some folks are having carefully handled warranty claims executed, to the point that even chassis ears are being employed by dealerships and what appears to be decisive repair work done as a result of the findings - yet others - nada, zip, zilch! Makes me wonder what more is going on to be honest. Doesn't it seem reasonable that ALL dealerships would use chassis ears to trouble-shoot? From a purely statistical point of view and being that there are what?, tens of thousands?, of these Foci on the road, what is played out on the pages of this thread is really a microcosmic tide-pool of events and I have a sneaking suspicion that some of this stuff is beyond what would be considered normal, every day stuff or even real.. [rolleyes] Consider how many folks simply lurk the internet, discover a possible solution here, try it out with success and who never actually post a single word about it because they have a busy life to live..well, we'll never really know the extent of any particular "noise related" issue as a stat because like I said, this is a minority pool of owners and observations.

I'm glad a few of the members here have found a solution to their particular situation. To the others that still have a mysterious, unrelated source of noise...noises are messy business...and all cars get sloppy over time; especially low-cost American cars. If it is a situation that has dragged on for far too long, perhaps it is time to either ditch the vehicle, let it go & accept the noise or pay some independent (suspension) shop to dig in and get to the bottom of it.
Honestly, I can't recall a single instance where a poster here reported taking their vehicle to an independent shop.
What does that tell you?

Peace out..
 
#2,217 ·
Honestly, I can't recall a single instance where a poster here reported taking their vehicle to an independent shop.
What does that tell you?

Peace out..
It tells me most of them still have a warranty, and shouldn't have to pay to have quality issues addressed. Did I miss something?
 
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#2,226 ·
I'm just shocked the Ford engineers haven't been able to find a solution to this problem. Either that or they have one but it's cheaper just to ignore it than it is to admit fault and fix the issues.

They don't want negative press among potential buyers, so much so that they're willing to crap on current owners. [sadpanda]
 
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#2,236 ·
anyone had the most recent TSB done which changes only bearings (supposedly bearings are revised/new part#)? -if you did, notice any drive feel difference?
softer or kind of the same?
as responsive as it was?
ride height about the same? (lower? wishful thinking!)
 
#2,237 ·
Tsb 13-3-2

We tow our 2012 Titainium behind a motorhome and spent the winter in Arizona. The whole time we were there the left front suspension sounded like it was falling apart. Now back in cold Minnesota I have an appointment to have it checked for TSB 13-3-2. The problem is the suspension appears normal now with no abnormal noise. Did something happen while towing from Arizona or does the colder temp somehow have an effect. Who knows, but I suspect the dealer will tell me there's no problem they can find. I like everything about this car but for this one problem. I suspect there may have been a problem regarding the assembly plant's tooling used to install or align the front suspension. That's the only explanation I can think of to explain why some cars have the problem on one side only while others have both sides noisy while others have no problem.
 
#2,238 ·
We tow our 2012 Titainium behind a motorhome and spent the winter in Arizona. The whole time we were there the left front suspension sounded like it was falling apart. Now back in cold Minnesota I have an appointment to have it checked for TSB 13-3-2. The problem is the suspension appears normal now with no abnormal noise. Did something happen while towing from Arizona or does the colder temp somehow have an effect. Who knows, but I suspect the dealer will tell me there's no problem they can find. I like everything about this car but for this one problem. I suspect there may have been a problem regarding the assembly plant's tooling used to install or align the front suspension. That's the only explanation I can think of to explain why some cars have the problem on one side only while others have both sides noisy while others have no problem.
I can tell you my clutch squeaks in cold weather and doesn't in warm. Sounds like chirping when you engage the throw-out bearing.
 
#2,241 ·
Mine has started this noise now to .....I had the clutch pack replaced a while back ...thinking something isnt tight or put back right....I looked under the car and noticed the felt cover isn't on right.its not tucked under on the front sides it's just bolted to the bottom.hope that's the case.it happens over speed bumps and when i hit the brakes.i have to go over seven speed bumps in my complex every morning and that's when I notice the sound.soon as I speed up it's gone
 
#2,242 ·
Hi hound,

Have you had the chance to return to your dealership so they can take a look? I also recommend reaching out to my colleagues at Ford Canada (1-800-565-3673) so they can assist.

Crystal
 
#2,243 ·
#2,245 ·
Took my '12 Focus Titanium to my local dealer yesterday to have it checked for the noise from the front. Of course, I had to call them myself today, since they seem incapable of keeping me up to date. I was told that it was the sway bar end links. They had to order them, was told they'd be in tomorrow. I'm going to go pick it up for now, as I need it to get to work tomorrow. But I'll drop it off once the parts get in, and we'll see if it takes care of the problem. I'll let you know!
 
#2,247 ·
WOW !

This STILL isn't fixed ? Sorry to hear that for you guys.

I was wondering if my decision to dump the Focus for a Mazda 3 was the right one. So far the M3 has been totally quiet, no issues, no rattles, no squeaks, nothing. Getting 37+ MPG overall so far. The 6 speed auto is smooth as silk with no issues.

Hope Ford gets off the pot and does something for you guys soon.

Good Luck !

REV
 
#2,248 ·
So I got the car back Thursday. Drove it back to work, then out to my g/f's work, back to town here, stopped at Target, and was heading to the car wash (got a bunch of bird poop on it while at the dealership), and the sound started up again. It had disappeared, and the front end felt tighter than when I bought it. Now it's the same old crap. The replaced the front sway bar end links. And yes, I verified it at my shop today, they are new. So I guess it'll go back to Ford next week, and we'll see where it goes from there.

Thinking maybe a Mini Countryman, or wait for the Dodge Dart GT?
 
#2,253 · (Edited)
Thinking maybe a Mini Countryman, or wait for the Dodge Dart GT?

You will be even more sorry with a Dodge .... I trust them FAR less than Ford. And if you REALLY want to see depreciation ... there's no better way to do it than with a Chrysler product. The Focus was my last domestic .... Ever. More problems, issues, squeaks and rattles than my last 5 foreign cars combined.

REV
 
#2,250 · (Edited)
There is no "one solution" to this problem as there are multiple sources of noise in this vehicle. The problem with threads like these is that there is this tendency for people to assume everyone is talking about the same thing; that's utter nonsense. Lifting the car is one phenomenon that "one person" describes; it's hardly a tried-and-true short term remedy for a wider audience nor is it indicative of a common link nor is it a true fix.
Proposing that it is = pure conjecture!

Coming up on two months with no bump stop noise.
[burnout]
 
#2,251 ·
There is no "one solution" to this problem as there are multiple sources of noise in this vehicle. The problem with threads like these is that there is this tendency for people to assume everyone is talking about the same thing; that's utter nonsense. Lifting the car is one phenomenon that "one person" describes; it's hardly a tried-and-true short term remedy for a wider audience nor is it indicative of a common link. Proposing that it is = pure
If it works though, and gives the person even a temporary reprieve it may be worth it to them.

For me, It got so bad that I didn't even want to get in the car, it annoyed me so much. Nothing like having a brand new car that you just despise driving because of the clunks, rattles, and squeaks.

I haven't missed it for one minute.

I was just hoping they fixed it for the rest of you guys. At this point though .... It's pretty clear they are never going to fix it, and they aren't even trying, which is what I was afraid was going to happen.

REV
 
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