Background from the NHTSA database: #98V323000 From: OCT 1985 To: JUN 1995 The rear lower subframe mount plate nut can experience stress corrosion cracking if subjected to long term exposure to road salts. FOR WHO IS THE RECALL FREE: Ford will do this for for free because the recall is on the car, not the owner. (Well, a few drivers out there need recalls too...hehe sorry couldnt resist!!!). Some VIN numbers are not covered under the recall, which is beyond my under- standing. Cars sold or registred south of the salt belt are among these. WHY DOES RECALL WORK LACK QUALITY? Ford Inc. pays the dealer an abosulutely minimum amount to do recall work. And that tells it all. DOES IT CORRECT ALL THE ANNOYING STEERING FEEL? Be aware that restoring the new car steering feel (or better see http://www.shotimes.com/SHO4solidsfb.html) is only possibly by replacing bolt, washers, plate nut, upper and lower bushing to all 4 corners of the subframe. This can be done by a DIY mechanic. However, the job will be easier if Ford does the recall first. WHAT DOES THE RECALL COVER? Fords recall covers only 2 bolts, 2 washers, 2 platenuts and 2 body plugs - for the rears only. This is a safety recall and therefor they only replace parts that keep will your vehicle safe. Appearently there has been accidents where the bolt and/or plate nut had come loose or rusted off. The bushings, even when in terrible shape are not considered unsafe, just annoying loose feel and is to be covered by the owner if he wants to. BEFORE DROPPING CAR AT DEALER: They will drill to holes in your floor. Because of the fact that the clutch is somewhat in the way for drilling, some MTX owners have reported clutch operation troubles after recall. You could get a signed letter from service manager that your clutch is working properly at drop off or you could disconnect the spring to keep the clutch from defaulting to "out" posistion. AFTER PICKING UP THE CAR AT DEALER: Treat edges of hole - see "the procedure" below. WHY CANT I JUST USE THE OLD NUT? The old nut design is more prone to cracking, especially with the solid mounts. The new design is really just a flat plate with a nut welded to it, where the old one was a plate, with a threaded cone in the middle. It looks almost like it was designed to fail! WHY DO IT YOURSELF? Many people dont have a trusted dealer close and wants to make shure the job has the right parts, mounted correct, and torqued up properly. It should be done in 2 hours unless you have really stubborn rusted bolts. I WANT TO DO THIS MYSELF, BUT WHAT TOOLS DO I NEED? You'll need a breaker bar or impact wrench to loosen the bolts, but in the world of tough bolts they should not be among the worst. DO I GET INSTRUCTIONS WITH THE KIT? When purchasing the subframe bolt kit (P/N# XF1Z5A364AA), an instruction sheet is included with all the info you need. OTHER UPGRADES/MAINTENANCE TO CONSIDER WHILE DOING THIS: Front sway bar bushings. THE PROCEDURE: Difficulty Rating: Simple Jack up your car so it sits on jackstands. When doing the rears you will need a floor jack to lower subframe, and vica versa. Pull carpet back should be easy match, the black plastic sheet below is more challenging to pull away. Bore the 2.5" hole through the floor. On MTX, simply push the clutch in with your left hand and drilled with my right. No need to disconnect a spring. The size of the hole you are drilling is actually bigger than it had to be, so it is not crucial that you are not dead on. Suck/clean out some of the cutting bits and old grime thorugh the hole, what you are looking at is actually the end of the tube, which happens to be the subframe. After you get the new hardware in, clean, sand, prime and paint edges of hole. Install body plug and snug up! All Ford parts are untreated and will be attacked by surface rust if not covered properly. The front mounts has 4 x 10mm support bolts, which are not needed when installing solid mounts. Simply cut them off.