I need some help.

[Strider74]

Hello everyone,

Its been a while since my last post what with a new, job moving and all the other fun parts of life. But I really need you guys's help on a few things. First my Marauder has begun to have all kinds of problems, some small some huge. The tensioner on the main belt went out (its in the shop now) and they also now say the fan blade is cracked and needs to be replaced (I think they may have cracked it but I have no way to prove it) and they say a replacement costs a little over $400 as they can't order just the fan. Any suggestions? Is there a way to just order the fan.

Secondly I also had the leak on the rear axle seal only mine went very quickly and on a long trip (50 miles all highway) it blew the rear differential. My car is one of the early builds (July 02) and has 54k miles so its well past the warrenty but a major failure like this is just insane. The dealer of course says there is nothing they can do about a gasket leak. Which caused the fluid loss and the overheating of the differential and the explosion (not as bad as it sounds but requred a whole new rear assembly).

What I really want to know is who can I write to at Ford about this. I'm not expecting them to bend over backwards or send me cash or anything but for a highline car like this to have a such a severe failure like this is unacceptible and I want to know where to vent my frustration to. Fourtunately I know my car very well and was able to keep it under control when it blew (at about 65-70mph on a twisting interstate) but for a car that has been well maintained and been in for every service this is just sad.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

P.S. Now that my 4.10 gears are spread accross the highway and the replacement axle is the original 3.55 anyone know how much my speedometer is off.

Seconday P.S. I do agree with my dealer in that the 4.10 gears were in no way responsible for the damage and I'll be calling Dennis for some new parts shortly. I just haven't decided if I'm calling for new 4.10's (or higher) or to get a new/reprogramed chip.

[fastblackmerc]

Hello everyone,

Its been a while since my last post what with a new, job moving and all the other fun parts of life. But I really need you guys's help on a few things. First my Marauder has begun to have all kinds of problems, some small some huge. The tensioner on the main belt went out (its in the shop now) and they also now say the fan blade is cracked and needs to be replaced (I think they may have cracked it but I have no way to prove it) and they say a replacement costs a little over $400 as they can't order just the fan. Any suggestions? Is there a way to just order the fan.

Secondly I also had the leak on the rear axle seal only mine went very quickly and on a long trip (50 miles all highway) it blew the rear differential. My car is one of the early builds (July 02) and has 54k miles so its well past the warrenty but a major failure like this is just insane. The dealer of course says there is nothing they can do about a gasket leak. Which caused the fluid loss and the overheating of the differential and the explosion (not as bad as it sounds but requred a whole new rear assembly).

What I really want to know is who can I write to at Ford about this. I'm not expecting them to bend over backwards or send me cash or anything but for a highline car like this to have a such a severe failure like this is unacceptible and I want to know where to vent my frustration to. Fourtunately I know my car very well and was able to keep it under control when it blew (at about 65-70mph on a twisting interstate) but for a car that has been well maintained and been in for every service this is just sad.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

P.S. Now that my 4.10 gears are spread accross the highway and the replacement axle is the original 3.55 anyone know how much my speedometer is off.

Seconday P.S. I do agree with my dealer in that the 4.10 gears were in no way responsible for the damage and I'll be calling Dennis for some new parts shortly. I just haven't decided if I'm calling for new 4.10's (or higher) or to get a new/reprogramed chip.
Sorry to hear about the problems with your MM.. Maybe some members that work for Ford will be able to help you out.

[RF Overlord]

anyone know how much my speedometer is off.15% (at 60 MPH your speedo will read 51)
I just haven't decided if I'm calling for new 4.10's (or higher) or to get a new/reprogramed chip.Get the 4.10s!

[Smokie]

Any help would be greatly appreciated.I agree the rear end failure is a bit much, even with 54k miles, especially with a known TSB on rear axle and bearing failures. Don't know if you have a relationship with your dealer, but I would seek their help to reach a compromise with Ford were you pay a portion of the repairs and Ford pays the rest.

I also recommend you seek advise from Carfixer, he knows what is possible and what is not. Good luck.

[SergntMac]

I'm sorry to say that IMHO, your dealer wins. Whether they broke the fan or not is probably you're only argument, pursue that. Ask them how it suddenly broke, make them show you how, and get the old parts. Maybe you hear a confession, or, at least some negotiation on that. Sadly, a lot of repair parts are preassembled, due to Ford's "modular" repair program, where it's cheaper to pay the install cost of a replacement unit, than to rebuild the broken part under warranty. Even though you're not under warranty, the repair parts are still modular.

With 4:10s in place, you are on your own again. There is a TSB on axle bearing and seals, but, your failure doesn't trace back to that. If you had a bone stock and untouched rear end, you maybe could have argued to a higher authority, but with the 4:10s in place, you won't win.

Sorry my friend, best wishes.

[RoyLPita]

Where I work, we had to replace 2 fan assy's due to the fan cracking and rubbing against the shroud (it kinda sounded like major engine trouble). As for the leak, being out of warranty plus modifed can only mean one thing; bite the bullet and get it fixed. If you have Ford do it, it may cost you more but you will have 12 months 12k miles warranty.

OR

Sell me the car cheap. I'll buy it and fix it, regardless.

[MENINBLK]

There is also a TSB on the tensioner.
My dealership replaced mine last month becuase I complained of it squeaking,
and the Service Manager told me it was covered buy a TSB.
They replaced the tensioner and the belt.

I would gather all your paperwork and right a letter to BILL FORD.
Send copies of everything.
You can get his address from FORD Customer Service, or from your Service Manager.

But what ever your reply from FORD is, just remember this...
To FORD, the LIFE of your vehicle is 3 years or 36,000 miles.

[Strider74]

Thanks a lot for all the help everyone, and as for the fan it does appear that it cracked and is rubbing against the shroud. Oh well I still love the car so thats all that matters to me. :)