Ford AU Fairmont Extension Housing Bush, rear dampers

[@anakinskywalker4113]

This is my bread & butter at my shop in Australia. I have worked on countless falcons over the years.

[@jamesbaylis9438]

We had an AU Fairmont 15 years done over 400,000 km. We only replaced it as it was getting a bit big for Mom to drive. They maybe unloved but they are a great car. ❤

[@Low760]

Mom?

[@MartsGarage]

The old AU seems to be a solidly built old girl. Hopefully it's all pretty robust and fixable. I had an Aussie Chrysler valiant. That was pretty solidly built too. Well done Tim, well done Ian. Great to see Betty getting the attention she deserves. All the best, Mart in Solihull.

[@michaelwright2986]

The classic Australian six was perhaps a bit crude, very strong, and capable of being repaired in a small town out past the Black Stump.

[@giulianomarco]

Tim's a fair dinkum mechanic! 😁👍

[@richardorchard3364]

Tim is a very talented mechanic,you are lucky to have him to work on the mighty AU.

[@HighwayRamos]

My trusty BA ute's BTR needs the extension housing bush done too. Good to see what's involved, think I'll farm this job out to the experts. Nice to see Betty getting some attention, nice work Tim.

[@jeffreywhitehead9386]

Wonderful to see Betty being cared for. Goldie, my liquid Silver series 3 AU Ghia is getting Pedders new songs and dampers all round next week and hopefully will be much better to drive too. I've only had Goldie for over a year now but it was you and Motorbox that inspired me so thank you from down under. Another great vid again 😃

[@2tone209]

EVERYONE NEEDS A TIM

[@dustymiller7758]

Fantastic upgrade, and the well done getting that bush replaced. Great work Tim and for not missing the oilways.

[@andrewhofler]

Always a joy watching a video with Tim, he really knows his stuff! With the oil leak at the front, if its power steering fluid it'll be the coupler on the end of the high pressure hose. On the original design hose, it can be replaced (its a part shared with numerous Euro and American Fords, so potentially available locally). Aftermarket power steering hoses are different in design, so require complete replacement. If its engine oil from near the alternator, most likely timing chain tensioner oring leaking (an easier job than it sounds!) 👍

[@devlad]

Good choice on Pedders, I've had them on my Fords and Holdens a few times.

[@Invisibleman7]

Betty definitely needed that. Tim worked his magic.All good

[@biker_dan]

When the back shocks are bouncy it makes it easy to loose the back end on corners especially in wet weather, reminds me of when you first brought it to the UK and lost it into the side of the road, typical cause is saggy shocks. These now ones will give you much more confidence on bends and in wet weather, plus you will find it easier towing too. Cheers

[@HubNut]

I think that was more down to cheap Chinese tyres and a dodgy road.

[@westmus]

@@HubNut part of the shocks job is to keep the wheels planted on an uneven surface, worn socks are bad at that. Even the best tires will perform badly if they are allowed to "bounce". On an live axle car the rear shocks got an fair amount of weight to control. So you mishab may be supported by an combo of having both low quality tires and fairly worn shocks.

[@anthonystevens8683]

What a cracking video Ian. Betty gets some treatment for a saggy bottom. It was interesting to learn more about that gear box bearing and the associated lubrication features within, such as don't hammer the new seal all the way home as it'll block off the oil return along with the hole in the new bearing to line up with the whole in the casing. A top job by Tim as always. Ideally everywhere should have a 'Tim o like' somewhere local who really knows what they are doing. Many thanks for sharing.

[@warren6815]

I love Betty's backstory and history! Glad she's getting some TLC!

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

Great to see Tim work his Magic on Betty, a great little tinkering video.

[@AbsoluteDarkness]

Loved your Kiwi adventure trip. Watching it made me think, as a Kiwi, how much of the beautiful Aotearoa I haven't seen and I need to.

[@HubNut]

So easy to explore your home though. We're guilty of that in Wales...

[@AbsoluteDarkness]

I'll need to come explore Wales. That's sounds fair since you've explored my country.

[@hectorshouse7348]

You’re so lucky to have Tim

[@Jam3sA]

Kitch is going to be happy there's another Australian Ford expert in the UK now! But seriously, those uprated dampers are going to be so much better for towing Bob (and for Welsh back roads)

[@TW-80]

so very happy to hear the word DAMPERS describing what they are as apposed to SHOCK ABSORBERS!

[@Phiyedough]

Saddened to hear a bush called a bushing though!

[@damonrobus-clarke533]

Yeah gets on my nerves when people say “shocks” when they’re not!

[@johnnorth9355]

We should all value these skills as they will become much rarer as time pases.

[@markevans2280]

Thankfully with EVs you don’t need a grease monkey, just a laptop

[@isaacplaysbass8568]

*scrapes with a pry bar* "...this is one grit..." XD awesome, loved it!

[@allanmollison6971]

Awesome to see Betty again and hear some of her NZ history. Great job Ian

[@smet145]

Nice work Tim 👍

[@paulwatts2192]

A bit of love and attention goes along way. Many more happy miles to come.

[@CauliflowerMcPugg]

Nice to see Betty is driving better. Tim is a top bloke and doesn't moan like as your other Aussie specialist. Lol, and he is educational too.

[@davefrench3608]

It’s amazing the difference getting seemingly minor things fixed. Viva Betty.

[@jamesforge8107]

I have only ever done that transmission bush on one Falcon but it was a manual. Similar deal to remove the extension housing. I removed the seal and then knocked the old bush in as opposed to out to remove it. Not sure if that’s possible with the auto but it was certainly easier than messing around with a vice then an anvil then a vice.

[@keithfletcher6123]

Pedder saved my old Forester from dragging its backside like a dog with worms … got rear struts and some drive shafts sent up from Aus to HK. Good value. Sporty … because red 👍

[@westmus]

There's an reason "performance" parts nearly always got bright colors or have an big colorful decal, it's the visual sign of the car surely being faster. 😁

[@StevensPaul]

Always good to check ✅ off another automotive TO-DO list...👍. Nicely done ✅.

[@ThirdDegreeWitchExplores]

Enthusiastic ‘ Pishuuuuuu’ at the end Ian . They’ve been a bit lack lustre recently ;)

[@fhwolthuis]

Great work from Tim 👍

[@delukxy]

Bob will appreciate the extra control.

[@adamlee3772]

There’s a reason a large number of taxis in WA were Falcons. Bomb proof and fairly simple fixes.

[@GaryFrazer-wp7bj]

Good to see another falcon in the uk Bf and fg owner

[@adamlee3772]

You have Falcons in the U.K?

[@GaryFrazer-wp7bj]

@@adamlee3772 yes xr6 and xr8

[@bentullett6068]

I love the optional slightly less silenced exhaust on Betty from the renown car tuner Up and Down classics.

[@HubNut]

He did a grand job. Rear resonator has since been rebuilt.

[@rogerfenton5210]

Surprised to see that the workshop doesn't have a press, nice to see the interaction between you and Tim ,

[@roseybut]

Ooh err Mrs you got a love a bit of even wheel arch gap. Glad Tim's magic has made Betty better.

[@daniellee9015]

Absolutely brilliant video Ian miss hubnut ❤👍well done tim brilliant they make all the difference new shocks brilliant

[@kavyman1066]

Tim is the GOAT!

[@caw25sha]

You should have got Miss HubNut to do the dubbing 😂

[@theov2670]

Late to watch this video but that leak at the front is the power steering pressure lines leaking which will kill the alternator. My AU II Futura had the same issue, keep an eye on the power steering reservoir levels and if you hear a 'whine" on full lock to lock it's too late you probably blown the pump, but the old Falcon will keep.on going just with heavier steering. Also the ION (BTR) 85LE does have lock up torque for 3rd (direct drive) and 4th (over-drive) when in Econ mode. Go the might AU FALCON/FAIRMONT.

[@MrButtonpresser]

Betty feels the love! All set for some circle work.

[@grayfool]

It can be quite surprising how much difference replacing worn out parts can make to a car. You don't notice how worn out things are getting because it happens so slowly but, my goodness, do you notice when stuff gets sorted.

[@michaeltutty1540]

Very interesting seeing under there. I am rather surprised at the transmission. The old Ford mechanical AOD transmission was strong, smooth, and incredibly durable. It also did not use a locking torque converter. It used two input shafts, and the inner one bypassed the torque converter completely. I've seen them go well over a million kilometers with no issue. In my 89 Grand Marquis it was good for hauling a 3 ton trailer. With North American Fords, the best dampers are also the least expensive directly from Ford. I am lucky to have found a Canadian version of Tim, named Matt. He kept old Arthur going until there was no more point. Now he is keeping Yoda the Toyota on the go. New front wheel bearings were definitely way beyond my capabilities. What a difference they made.

[@tonysargent7787]

Bet Betty is better now another great video has always Ian and Carly miss/mrs hubnut and hublets and hubmutt 👍

[@hunterhomeservicesracing6453]

20 august 2001

[@seancarritt2438]

So glad Betty has had some new parts fitted these are always lovely videos 😍😍 Maybe get Tim to see if he can sort out Bella for you. I know it’s potentially maybe a cylinder head off job and have the valves reseated.

[@HubNut]

Not really his thing to be honest, and it'd mean the Berlingo taking up space at his for several days I expect.

[@johnalees99]

The oil leak round the alternator, quite possibly the power steering lines out the bottom of the pump. They leak round the seals and drop oil on the alternator. Best done sooner rather than later before it kills the alternator. Other than that it looks like you're good for another 200000 miles 🙂

[@HubNut]

Cheers. Can you replace the seals?

[@johnalees99]

@@HubNut I believe it's doable, but for the labour time involved, most of the time it's easier to replace the lines. Makes sense while you have it all apart.

[@TheFar-FlungFarang]

@@HubNut Just replace the line, the factory replacement was about AU$35 10 years ago. It will only take 15mins to do the job. AUs were notorious for this hose failing. It will kill your alternator fast.

[@Zadster]

Jobs jobbed! It is always nice to be able to feel the difference that repairs have made, and to be able to see just why things were wrong in the first place. I suspect the AU in the date code might mean August rather than the car designation. 20AU01 20th August 2001. Either that or someone nicked it off an Audi ;)

[@williamgreer4087]

That big centre silencer could definitely do wih "falling off" 😉

[@HubNut]

She has already 'lost' once silencer!

[@grahamclark4518]

He's like a magician with spanners

[@davidbarnsley8486]

I believe the same bushing in my Colorado needs to be replaced as I am up to three new tail shaft seals and it’s leaking again

[@nigelrudd670]

It's ford Sunday salvage rebuilds fiesta now mr nut and the aussie Ford entertainment 🤓👍

[@hedydd2]

Woo! A Watts linkage lateral location of the rear axle, just like the latest Ranger Raptor. That uses special dampers with external reservoirs I think. Lots of bushings to wear in that linkage as there are two rods with two ends and bushings each plus the swivel on the diff housing which must move a lot and takes a lot of the strain. Do they all have grease nipples? Silly question, as it’s a Ford, obviously not.

[@HubNut]

Yeah, no grease nipples!

[@hedydd2]

@@HubNut The rod bushes are probably pinched so they don’t turn but twist the rubber bushes. However the diff pivot is a very different kettle of fish and twists very substantially and must be very prone to wear.

[@BillMalcolm-tn3kq]

The Ford Crown Vic went to the rear axle Watts linkage for the 1998 model year. And the tow rating went down from the previous design! From 5K to 2K pounds. Hope Betty is within her design limitation towing your camper, which seems pretty lightweight though. Now, whether Ford US decided a Watts linkage was the thing, or whether Ford Australia beat them to it almost 30 years ago and Dearborn copied, who knows? Anyway, I've never heard of any of the tens of thousands of taxis and police cars in prolonged service in North America having any issue whatsoever with the Watts linkage, so lack of grease nipples obviously matters not one jot. Giving up 25 or 30 grease points was what gradually happened everywhere during the 1960s and early '70s -- to aghast owners in tweed caps and Morris 10's everywhere. But rubber bush(ing) design and sealed ball joints rather overtook the grease gun -- in Europe before the US by about five years, just like front disc brakes. Detroit was highly conservative and in full possession of its Not Invented Here syndrome then. Ford and GM tried such newfangled ideas out on Ford UK and Vauxhall first. Considering the 1950 Consul had MacPherson struts, it's notable it wasn't until 1980 that such a design appeared on the first US-made Escort. The Pinto had double wishbones. Etcetera. Judging by various Wikipedia pages on well known cars like the Toyota Celica are often written by rabid-enthusiast Aussies, who seem to think the world is interested in about two dozen variations sold in Oz in minute quantities and nowhere else, likely they will claim ownership of the Watts linkage idea on Fords.

[@hedydd2]

@@BillMalcolm-tn3kq The Ford Ranger Raptor, which is the only one fitted with coils and Watts linkage, is made in Thailand for Europe. All other variants have differently tuned leaf springs. Australians seem to think that their roads are unique in some way, but we all know that they are not. Unpaved roads are more prevalent there than in some areas but that is not what they tend to talk about. Always that some car’s suspension is especially tuned for Australian roads, which in nonsense but seems to impress them mightily, whether its a pickup truck or a Mazda saloon.

[@BillMalcolm-tn3kq]

@@hedydd2 Thanks for that info. Rangers of any ilk i'm not very interested in personally, not being a pickup truck fan. I do wonder if sales of the Ranger Raptor from Thailand in Europe justify putting in a Watts linkage. So far as leaf springs go, I have been purchasing cars since 1967, and managed to easily avoid them. Squeaks from rear leafs in hot dry weather from my father's Consul and mother's Anglia used to annoy me, and relying on leaves for both lateral and fore/aft location and drive, plus their having to twist a bit or crush eyelet bushes when cornering or encountering a one wheel bump, always struck me as less than ideal. Cheap 'n nasty. Leaf spring axle tramp I haven't experienced since 1965! Braking axle tramp is the worst because it only appears when you are really, really trying to stop and cannot let off the brakes. US Chryslers were awful for this. They used long ones for smooth ride, and evrything else? Nobody really cared, it seems. The British verbal throwawy use of rev counter for tachometer always gets me. Anyone minimally versed in instrumentation knows a rev counter counts total revolutions, with no regard for time. So rpm includes time -- the minute. The correct term for a rev/min display is ALWAYS tachometer. Speedometer without time involved is the odometer, a mile counter, but at least the Brits get speedometer correct! I only mention this because according to Mr Hubnut, shock absorber, which is the incorrect term for a damper, has apparently permeated Britain from the USA. As a mechanical engineer who was involved in oscillatory vibration analysis for decades, I am no doubt more sensitive to this misused term "shock absorber" than most. I'm in North America, but spring mass damper are the terms used in tuition and professional use. The Americans say candy car, Canadians say chocolate bar, the Brits used to say bar of chocolate. I wonder what Aussies say?

[@rayjulien4739]

RE: some oil staining front of sump. Oil can work down the actual sump bolt threads on this engine. Remove forward sump bolts clean well, apply a thread sealant/ silastic, replace , retorque.

[@TES.Productions]

Front leak is the Oil pressure switch under the intake. common oil leak easy fix and/or yea the power steering

[@bernhardkuhn5676]

You should replace the front dampers as well. Then it will ride almost like a new car.

[@HubNut]

On the to do list.

[@grumpy2.0]

Wow ive ended up watching, two sets of Shock absorbers changed this weekend.

[@davestraya2975]

What size socket did you use to knock the bushing out?

[@HubNut]

Sorry to say I can't recall. Just went through the socket set until we found one that fitted.

[@davestraya2975]

Thanks

[@jimmyquinn9639]

Another good video ian 🚘🚙🚗👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👏👏👏👏👏

[@martinneumann7783]

You’re blessed with your friends. Hello Happy Betty… 🥰

[@VDPEFi]

There's a lot to be said for cars built this way, now we have gone back to roads from the 40s they hold up a hell of a lot better. I am currently also using a live axle independent front end vehicle and with new dampers, the ride shames modern cars, simply due to it not being ruined every time it goes out. 70 series tyres also help....

[@andrewhaines3259]

Another small job for you Ian, is the two yellow screw caps on the rear registration plate need to be changed for black ones as they are breaking up the lettering. I'm surprised it's not been picked up on an MOT!

[@HubNut]

Kitch's black marker pen has worn off!

[@andrewhaines3259]

@@HubNut 🤣

[@tristanpage6805]

Great content again

[@robertmaitland09]

Bonzer mate.

[@pizzalover3]

That's cool. Yes, completely different to my Crown Vic underneath...is the Fairmont an open or lsd?

[@HubNut]

Open diff with traction control. A limited slip diff would be way better.

[@davidjack825]

the smokey zafira doing a good impression of chemmy on her previous engine

[@HubNut]

Fair...

[@johnmoruzzi7236]

That code n the bushing 20AU01 could be 20 August 2001….

[@HubNut]

That'd make sense.

[@romac9516]

...because Betty is worth it

[@KirksAudioSanctum]

1:46 It is not that bad. Just give it a once over and it will be fine mate... I know how much you love this car. I am surprised you have the money for the fuel! That is why I drive small cars. I have a bone to pick with you! I love KEI cars and it is your fault! I want one!!! 😍😍

[@pagegreer5081]

Some times I need translation on what the UK vernacular for certain car parts are Dampener USA shocks.😅😊

[@HubNut]

To be honest, we call them dampers and shock absorbers!

[@2tone209]

AY UP MR HUBNUT

[@alansmith1770]

We'll done Tim. Giving Betty needed TLC.

[@hectorshouse7348]

Those shockers is the reason you binned it

[@HubNut]

No, that was the cheap Chinese death rings and a known slippy spot of road (that was resurfaced a few days later...)

[@michaelgoode9555]

You might have mastered voiceover but the lipsync was absolutely diabolical! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@BillMalcolm-tn3kq]

Since shocks generally have zero spring function, how on earth does replacing the rears change the ride height? I've renewed them before on cars I owned and noticed no difference in ride height, just the better performance of the new shock. Do these "sport" dampers have helper springs in them, or gas assist? Perhaps the originals were "gas-filled" too, which leaked away from use and age. About all I can think of if the ride height changed and the main springs are of course the same unchanged units. Additional springiness to change ride height must have come from something -- this is not rocket science like an old Citroen!

[@neilrose8618]

EXCELLENT Betty will be happy 😆 Carly will enjoy you both running around God's country.. Tim is a blessing glory to small businesses and may everyone use them ....OR Lose them.. yep ok new grrr Battery coming in many negative but OK a small amount of positives ... stuff Battery get HYDROGEN POWER.... Battery ok stop gape... just get that lovely HYDROGEN going and the many minuses that Battery throws at you .. sorry Ian .. glad that beautiful southern babies back on track 😅

[@terryatkinson899]

🤗

[@ChristopherPearce-u9t]

The shock absorber is the spring what you replaced are the dampers

[@HubNut]

While you're not wrong, nobody calls springs shock absorbers, and most people call dampers (what I used in the title) shock absorbers.

[@barryhumphries4514]

Wow, Betty gets a perky back end! 👀

[@tonys1636]

Cheap underbody rust proofing, old used engine oil sprayed or brushed on. Just power wash off before submitting for a MOT, re-apply once passed. The buildup of dust and dirt on the oil forms the water and salt barrier.

[@ablestringer9063]

Admittedly when watching this video late at night I had had a few, but when you mentioned Invercargill my mind suddenly went on a tangent to an imaginary Viz character called Invacar Gill. I'll leave it there.

[@hedydd2]

You wouldn’t have been able to import that car with that mud and stuff in crevices INTO Australia. They and the Americans are scrupulous about their bio-security, unlike the UK who will take any potentially dodgy biohazard, no questions asked.

[@HubNut]

Same going into NZ. We're apparently less fussy this end...

[@gowalmsley]

AU Rear shocks in Australia as cheap as $35ea :D

[@HubNut]

🙁

[@Low760]

​@@HubNutdon't fret. That's for the cheap nasty ones.

[@PaulBaker85]

Does this mean @CambrianClassicsLtd is now the Australian Ford Specialist? Kitch will be sad.

[@georgeworkshop]

What is Tim’s KZbin channel please

[@HubNut]

Cambrian Classics Ltd.

[@RWBHere]

Time to attend to that surface rust, before the maggots are really let loose on that juicy steel.

[@micheltebraake7915]

Every now and then TLC keeps Betty on the road.

[@MattBrownbill]

I promised not to buy a project, that's the one on stands with the autobox and steering in pieces... 😂

[@TheTrueVoiceOfReason]

Don't you know that red makes them sportier than not red? 😁😁

[@collinhunter9792]

2.20 onwards.....why use miles for new zealand and kilometres for uk????? when it is really the otherway round!!! dear oh dear. Auckland, New Zealand here. All the best, you lot!!

[@zzhughesd]

Never knew a bushing would be metal , need get hands dirtier.

[@twocvbloke]

Not too dissimilar to what I need to do with my washing machine, only with ball bearings, and wet, soapy metal parts, but knocking bearings out of awkward places, not fun... :S

[@HubNut]

Yeah, ours doesn't sound healthy, and the bearings are not easily replaced. Progress...

[@twocvbloke]

@@HubNut Yup, modern washers are frequently built with sealed outer drums, so replacing bearings (which are often under-ssized and wear out fast) is a no-go, my washer (Hotpoint WM53a) was built in around 1998 or 1999, and much like older cars was built to be serviced, before they too got hit with the anti-repair movement that manufacturers thought was a great idea... :\

[@-sargntclashroyaleandmore-491]

I'm running a 80s boiler and 90s washing machine... only things needed on them was a relay for the boiler after over 30 years constant use and a bit of cleaning with the inside mechanism on the washing machine 👌🏻

[@phillipevans9414]

@@twocvbloke . I hope it's an easier job than when i (foolishly) thought I could save a few $ by replacing the bearing in our tumble dryer - what a pain in the a**, two hours of faffing about (needing a second pair of hands a few times also), only to have the (presumably cheap chinesium) new bearing fail a couple of months later, and having to buy a new dryer anyway. Working on cars can be a pain at times too, but electrical appliances are next level horrid. Cheers!

[@jamesbrett6518]

I thought he'd be using a hydraulic press rather than hammers

[@HubNut]

He doesn't (yet) have a press.

[@TurboTimsWorld]

Parts cleaner LOL! they were great until someone invented the EGR valve now they are just the tar bucket !

[@Georgeolddrones]

What going on with the hair at the back are we having a midlife crisis?😂 😂

[@HubNut]

Keeps my neck nice and warm.

[@jameswallace7709]

Gove the pedders a yearly dose of wd40. They rust terribly.

[@BillOdyssey]

Paint some old oil on it quick!

[@Tony1975uk]

It's sad the way Ford are heading down the crossover SUV road. The way this looks, especially from the back, it just is a Ford. But from now on they are just going to be Americanised rubbish. So sad.