Gear swap and axle bearings...

[Fourth Horseman]

Took my car into the local Ford dealer late Wednesday to have my 4.10 gears put in. Advised them to check for the axle bearing issue as per the TSB. Turns out my axles did have damage. That's the bad news. The good news is that my gear swap won't cost as much because fluid, seals, etc. that I would have had to pay for before will now be paid for under the warranty repair. So that's nice. Unfortunately, I won't be getting my car back until late Monday or maybe even Tuesday, as they had to order the new axles and such.

Anyway, I'm really happy once again to have had this resource here at mm.net, otherwise I never would have known about this issue. The service advisor said that he was pleased I knew about it and brought it their attention, otherwise it might have gone unnoticed.

I've got a rental paid for by Ford until the car is done. They didn't have any Taurus or similar sized cars available so they put me up in a new 2004 Chevy Silverado 4x4. So far I'm quite pleased with it. Rides really nice, and the engine seems powerful and plenty of torque. Always fun to get to try new vehicles. :)

[BillyGman]

Wow! That's great. It's really nice to hear of some good stories relating to experiences w/dealers.

[HwyCruiser]

Fourth,

Same thing here. New axle shafts and fluid on L/M. A mod-friendly dealer may be a bit pricier than an independent, but at least you can bring her back with confidence knowing everything is on the table.

I've had all my mods done by my dealer, and the "quotes" seem to be getting more and more reasonable. This kind of work is bonus for them, and their techs get to do something a little more fun every now and then. It takes a lot of oil changes at $19.95 to generate the margin dollars someone who's throwing money at his/her car can bring in. Hint around at what else they are willing to take on when you go to pick it up. You may be suprised. I continue to be ;) .

Good luck on the install. What are you using to correct the speedo? SCT?

- JD

[SergntMac]

A mod-friendly dealer may be a bit pricier than an independent, but at least you can bring her back with confidence knowing everything is on the table. I've had all my mods done by my dealer, and the "quotes" seem to be getting more and more reasonable. This kind of work is bonus for them, and their techs get to do something a little more fun every now and then.
I agree, Ross, thank you.

This is the way it is for me here in the Chicagoland area. The more I throw at my dealership, the better the service, and the cheaper it seems to get. I enjoyed the axle bearing shaft freebie too, and I continue to enjoy certain "dealership discounts for valued customers" bargains as well. It never hurts to patronize, I feel "locked in" here, and sure that my MM dealer cans, and will, handle any of my complaints.

BTW...They are getting more daring too! They are now willing to mod the MM, and are much more relaxed with mods vs. warranty as well.

We're doing okay...Eh?

[Fourth Horseman]

Good luck on the install. What are you using to correct the speedo? SCT?
- JD

Yes sir, an SCT tuner from Dennis. I ordered all my stage 1 stuff from him. I agree with you about going to a dealer for the work. My take is that I'm not rich, and if I screw up my warranty I'm really up a creek if something major breaks. This way I've built a relationship with them and they know who I am, too. I figure that's got to count for something if the chips are down.

[bugsys03]

Your Ford dealer gave you a new Chevy to drive?

[junehhan]

Out of curiosity, what is this axle shaft or axle bearing issue? Does it involve the 03's, or both 03 and 04's?

[gdmjoe]

Out of curiosity, what is this axle shaft or axle bearing issue? Does it involve the 03's, or both 03 and 04's?
BlueOvalNews link (http://www.blueovalnews.com/2003/cars/cv.axles.t30505.083003.htm). *Involves 2003 Panthers with a build date prior to 01Jan2003.

[TripleTransAm]

BlueOvalNews link (http://www.blueovalnews.com/2003/cars/cv.axles.t30505.083003.htm). *Involves 2003 Panthers with a build date prior to 01Jan2003.


... and of course my own car, even though it was built on Feb 13, 2003. Seems this car of mine is prone to every problem that Ford has ever experienced, since 1953.

[SergntMac]

Seems this car of mine is prone to every problem that Ford has ever experienced, since 1953.
Actually, late July of 1952, but it was the '53 model year...

[junehhan]

BlueOvalNews link (http://www.blueovalnews.com/2003/cars/cv.axles.t30505.083003.htm). *Involves 2003 Panthers with a build date prior to 01Jan2003.


Thanks for the link. I'm glad that hopefully it doesn't involve my 04 Marauder.

[djmcnary]

BlueOvalNews link (http://www.blueovalnews.com/2003/cars/cv.axles.t30505.083003.htm). *Involves 2003 Panthers with a build date prior to 01Jan2003.
Sorry if this question is in the wrong area, but here goes.

I have been experiencing noise from the rear of the MM, but I attributed it to tire noise. What exactly does the noise generated from the faulty parts sound like?

The noise I am hearing is most noticable at highway speeds on nice smooth roads.

Should I take it in and get checked.

My MM was manufactured prior to 01-01-03 (06-14-02 to be exact)

Thanks,

Douglas

[BillyGman]

Doug, is your car all stock, and w/the stock gears? Does the noise only occur when your foot is on the gas pedal? And is it at all RPM's? More info dude......

[Donny Carlson]

I am so thankful that I put in my gears while my car was still under warranty, otherwise, I would have had to pony up for this repair.

Here is what my warrantee ticket says:

Locking rear axle diagnostic teardown and inspection. Found axle bearings and axles damaged, pinion bearing loose on pinion. Replace pinion bearings, measure carrier runout 0.00, reset backlash, replace axles and both axle bearings, pinion preload 24 in/lbs, backlash .009in reassemble and road test.

[BillyGman]

I'm very impressed w/even what that ticket says. For them to even list the exact backlash, and pinion bearing pre-load is amazingly thorough, and shows that who ever listed that pays very close attention to detail. Both those readings are fine...

[Donny Carlson]

I'm very impressed w/even what that ticket says. For them to even list the exact backlash, and pinion bearing pre-load is amazingly thorough, and shows that who ever listed that pays very close attention to detail. Both those readings are fine...
None other than Master Techs Scott Levine and Jason Adams of Team Ford.

[BillyGman]

Is this the same dealer that Todd goes to? I know he resides in Georgia, but I'm not sure how far he travels to visit that dealer that he also raves about.

[Donny Carlson]

Is this the same dealer that Todd goes to? I know he resides in Georgia, but I'm not sure how far he travels to visit that dealer that he also raves about.
He's a lot closer than I am.

I'm sure he'll weigh in on this, but If I'm not mistaken Team Ford is like less than 15 minutes away from his house.

I will buy from Team from now on. This company owns many dealerships in multiple brands. They've certainly won my business.

[djmcnary]

Doug, is your car all stock, and w/the stock gears? Does the noise only occur when your foot is on the gas pedal? And is it at all RPM's? More info dude......

BillyGman,

100% stock (for now ;) )It appeares to be mostly at highway speeds, on a nice flat, smooth surface. It seems to be constant, regardless of acceleration.... That is why I was thinking tire noise?!? I would have to admit that my wife actually notices it more than I do.

I had a rear end go bad on a 1994 LT1 Caprice that I was assigned, and I remembered the sound, and that it was loudest under acceleration. My MM is not making the same sound (it was very metallic), but since it is manufactured before 01-01-03, would it be wise to take it in and have it inspected by the Dealer?

Thanks for any info!

Douglas

[Fourth Horseman]

Your Ford dealer gave you a new Chevy to drive?

They just rent customers a car through Enterprise. :) My car should be done today, and while I'm excited to have it back I'm going to be sorry to take this truck back. This Chev and I bonded over the weekend.
:lol:

It's got the small V8 engine option, the 4.8 liter, but it's a really sweet engine. Torque all over the place... a really broad curve. The suspension is great, too. Very impressive truck all the way around. If I had $30k I didn't need...

[junehhan]

I am so thankful that I put in my gears while my car was still under warranty, otherwise, I would have had to pony up for this repair.

Here is what my warrantee ticket says:

Locking rear axle diagnostic teardown and inspection. Found axle bearings and axles damaged, pinion bearing loose on pinion. Replace pinion bearings, measure carrier runout 0.00, reset backlash, replace axles and both axle bearings, pinion preload 24 in/lbs, backlash .009in reassemble and road test.


Wow! Proof that good dealers still exist! The problem for some of us, is trying to locate them :)

[BillyGman]

Doug, I'd have to say that it doesn't sound like any problem, but that's also difficult to say w/out me even hearing it for myself. But if you're not sure then my guess is that it wouldn't be a bad thing to bring it to the dealer for inspection. However, if you don't want to be charged for labor, then you had better bring them the Technicle Service Bulletin # ("TSB"#) so they can type it up on their system to find it. Otherwise, you can't expect them to know about it since most dealers will not know.