IMPORTANT: ALL MK3 Focus Owners, I could use your input.

[Shade-010]

Do any of the bolts on the Focus use Loctite? or some derivative?

[TiStick]

Originally Posted by stang74shelby

Do any of the bolts on the Focus use Loctite? or some derivative?

The subframe bolt for the RMM had some sort of dried thread locker on it. I cleaned it off and used blue Loctite when I did the MS3 RMM.

Not suspension, but it is a bolt on the Focus.

[sgmfocus]

has any one looked at how the strut tower and reinforcements are connected together?had an '04 dodge stratus(problem on stratus from 2001-2005) that clunked going over bumps,manhole covers etc. replaced everything on front end(struts and springs did twice) even made an 1/8 inch rubber spacer where mount connected to strut tower ,noise would go away then return .After 2 years messing with it a new mechanic(ex-chrysler became heavy truck mechanic) at work told me about a tsb for an intermittent clunk(tried it on mine had a consistant clunk) it involved installing 2 rivots one on bottom backside of strut tower one below that. the rivots didn't appear to be structurally important,but it stopped the clunking heres a link to tsb even though it doesn't apply different type suspension mounting just an idea
http://s1323.beta.photobucket.com/us...15470718902138

[Zillon]

Well, I put the stock springs, dampers, bearings, and mounts in. Torqued to OEM specs, everything's tight.

If there was any suggestion that it might be in my head before, there is no doubt my car has a major issue now. It's obnoxiously loud on the passenger side.

[Twenty]

That is sad to hear. It must be really bad.

[Zillon]

Originally Posted by Twenty

That is sad to hear. It must be really bad.

Yeah. Can't say I'm surprised, though.

While I was working on the car yesterday, I discovered that there was an air-gap under the strut tower where the firewall is pinch-welded to the strut tower, and it rattled when I tapped it with the butt-end of a rubber-handled screwdriver. I thought I might have finally found the solution, so I attempted to duplicate what Lipshurt did by sliding a piece of plastic into the airgap, but it made no difference in the noise.

Here's a photo of the area:


So, off to the dealer it goes, now.

[12FOCUS S]

Originally Posted by Lipshurt

sure zillon
like you i have pretty much had it with the fake BS from the regional reps and all that. They had zero interest in this, and all they could do was do the official TSB. Zero interest in my car or my list of clues.

Hello Cory (your real name?) the people in your position seem to last about 2 months, we have had "thomas" and two other females and at least one other male name, and it sounds like you get paid to pacify forum members simply to make it look like ford is "on it". We all know that when people start thinking of buying a new car, they google it, and that leads straight to the forums, where all the complaints are. I say that your position is a sales position, to keep people from being scared about what they read here. All of that is fine, but what we really need is someone form ford to work on this.
I for one would like the email address of the engineering team or high school dropout that ford has working on it. At least a website where we can fill out surveys (data! you will need that!!) and hear about possible fixes.

Anything like that would make us feel better about this. Right now it feels like ford is betting on the warranty running out before they announce a fix, or they simply have zero intent to find a fix.

Please dont lie to us, but they make you, we get it.... you are just picking up a check and towing the party line

absolutely......I mentioned something to this effect before...Ford don't give a rat's ass until they issue the TSB. This is ALL "smoke and mirrors". IMHO

besides the clunk glitch......the car has been stellar thus far......

[Zillon]

Well, guys, my journey with the Focus is coming to an end. I'll be picking up my new car Wednesday night.

I tried. Hopefully the rest of you can benefit from my research into this issue.

[old1030]

Originally Posted by Zillon

Well, guys, my journey with the Focus is coming to an end. I'll be picking up my new car Wednesday night.

I tried. Hopefully the rest of you can benefit from my research into this issue.

Well that sucks, we're going to miss you around here but you really don't have to leave. What did you end up getting?

[Twenty]

Probably the best-looking Blue Candy I've seen.