'05 Montego Rattling In Front End

Hello. I have an '05 Montego AWD w/CVT, 47,000 miles, and have been noticing a rattling noise in the front end. It is most noticable at lower speeds (35 and below) due to road noise, going over road imperfections. Just curious if anyone has had something similar on Ford or Mercury? I have been under the car and am guessing either the strut mounts are driver inner tie rod (noise is loudest from front driver side). I do not have any drivability concerns such as alignment or steering. Thanks for any help.

My wife has a 2007 Montego AWD and has developed what sounds like the same symptom you have described at 64,000 miles on the odometer. We had both front strut mount bearings replaced as per a tsb at around 5,000 miles. That noise was noticeable when turning front wheels. Like you have mentioned, this latest "rattle" is heard at lower speeds and over the slightest road imperfections. I am planning on taking it to dealer for diagnosis as everthing in front suspension seems ok. I will keep you posted on our findings.

Revision to previous reply. Montego is 2005 model not 2007. Typing error.

Took car to dealer today. Replaced left front sway bar link. Problem fixed.

Thanks for the update! I will have to double check the stabilizer links. I checked them by grabbing them with the suspension loaded and unloaded and there was no real play in them. There may be just enough that it makes the noise though. Let me know if the sound comes back!

Sway bar end links are a definite cause of low speed noise over bumps. Just replace both sides while you are at it. Wouldn't hurt to replace the rear pair also.

When they went bad on my Audi it sounded like the suspension was falling apart every time I hit a bump in the road at low speeds.

Just replaced the left front stabilizer link last week and the rattle has gone away. The lower socket on the link was very loose. Altough, when it was installed you could grab it and it felt solid. New part is Moog with grease fittings and lifetime warranty.

Just replaced my front end links. My front right lower joint was very loose, and was causing my rattle. Problem is fixed now with new MOOG units with grease fittings.

Here's a way to test for the noise......When you hear it.........just softly apply the brakes. Does it go away? If so, then you need your two, front, disc brake caliper brackets replaced. Ford P/N 5F9Z2B134AA Ours were worn out..SHOT! Back to very quiet riding over bumps.

If not? The other suggestions should be looked at.

Mine had a slight rattle. It was obvious after I got the old one out that one end of the link was bad...I could move it easily with my fingers...

I also have a noise on our Five Hundred. Dealer replaced rear end links, but noise is still there. From what I've read online, could be strut bearings or lower control arm.

Another trip back to the dealer.............I guess the tech is deaf.

My brother's Malibu had a front end rattle that was caused by a bad tie rod end. It cleared up after I installed new tie rod ends. I bought a new pair for my 500 but have not installed them yet.

Be sure to rule this out. Here is a copy of a previous post I made............Here's a way to test for the noise......When you hear it.........just softly apply the brakes. Does it go away? If so, then you need your two, front, disc brake caliper brackets replaced. Ford P/N 5F9Z2B134AA Ours were worn out..SHOT! Back to very quiet riding over bumps.

If not? The other suggestions should be looked at.

Great idea. Was already thought of and completed by the Ford dealer, whereas new pads and rotors all around were installed. Shims were not necessary with the new parts but after slight wear?????

Just the slightest bit of wear (around 5,000 miles) on the "new" pads and they start clunking inside the caliper bracket. No clip on these new FoMoCo pads to keep them in place or after slight wear rattling and clunking around the bracket.

Dealer made "no" mention of shims to help keep pads in place. Will check though. Thanks,