RootersPH
New Member
- Joined
- February 17, 2013
- Messages
- 3
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Manila, Philippines
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2013 Ford Explorer 3.5 V6
Good day everyone,
This is my first post here, and whilst I have been lurking here for a while just reading up on the opinions of others, I am sad that I have to make my first post about a rather serious issue that manifested itself with an otherwise brilliant vehicle.
As background, I am an expatriate living in the Philippines (Manila), and we do not quite enjoy the same backup service from Ford compared to other parts of the world. Having said that, the dealership team did their best, and I think it is just a matter of them reaching the end of their expertise.
Here is the issue. The car has now done about 30,000 km, and at around 20,000 km developed this rather annoying knock somewhere in the front suspension. It is only audible (with some vibrations transmitted to the floorboard) when doing up to 30km/h on rough, semi-paved roads or roads with a poor asphalt top. The worst is when I'm in a parking lot, where the paving is wobbled. It almost feels as if the front wheels are loose.
The dealership replaced the steering rack some time ago under a TSB, and replaced both front shocks twice, along with the right control arm and the swaybar links. Unfortunately it has resulted in little or no improvement. Wheel alignment has been checked several times and the tires were rotated too. The wheel balancing has been checked and weights added where needed.
I have seen others here with similar issues, albeit it with varying descriptions of the issue. I have now reached the point whereby I will likely have to rely on my own ability to fix this issue, as I am not too keen on selling the vehicle just yet. The vehicle still has about 9 months left under its warranty and we don't have extended warranty coverage available in the Philippines.
As I see it, I am faced with two choices viz. A) ask them to replace more parts, and I may well have to pay for some or all of it or B) investigate the fitment of aftermarket shocks and other critical suspension parts that are more durable than the standard parts.
If I go with A) can I please ask advice on what I should have them replace and if I go with B) can anyone recommend suitable aftermarket suspension parts that I can consider flying out of the USA to the Philippines?
Apologies for the long post.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Rudi
This is my first post here, and whilst I have been lurking here for a while just reading up on the opinions of others, I am sad that I have to make my first post about a rather serious issue that manifested itself with an otherwise brilliant vehicle.
As background, I am an expatriate living in the Philippines (Manila), and we do not quite enjoy the same backup service from Ford compared to other parts of the world. Having said that, the dealership team did their best, and I think it is just a matter of them reaching the end of their expertise.
Here is the issue. The car has now done about 30,000 km, and at around 20,000 km developed this rather annoying knock somewhere in the front suspension. It is only audible (with some vibrations transmitted to the floorboard) when doing up to 30km/h on rough, semi-paved roads or roads with a poor asphalt top. The worst is when I'm in a parking lot, where the paving is wobbled. It almost feels as if the front wheels are loose.
The dealership replaced the steering rack some time ago under a TSB, and replaced both front shocks twice, along with the right control arm and the swaybar links. Unfortunately it has resulted in little or no improvement. Wheel alignment has been checked several times and the tires were rotated too. The wheel balancing has been checked and weights added where needed.
I have seen others here with similar issues, albeit it with varying descriptions of the issue. I have now reached the point whereby I will likely have to rely on my own ability to fix this issue, as I am not too keen on selling the vehicle just yet. The vehicle still has about 9 months left under its warranty and we don't have extended warranty coverage available in the Philippines.
As I see it, I am faced with two choices viz. A) ask them to replace more parts, and I may well have to pay for some or all of it or B) investigate the fitment of aftermarket shocks and other critical suspension parts that are more durable than the standard parts.
If I go with A) can I please ask advice on what I should have them replace and if I go with B) can anyone recommend suitable aftermarket suspension parts that I can consider flying out of the USA to the Philippines?
Apologies for the long post.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Rudi
