New member has questions...

[02mountaineerv8]

Hey guys and gals!

I just signed up today on this fourm after finding it in a google search on the web! I'm hoping you can help me with a problem I am having.

About 3 months ago, I brought a all Black 2002 Mountaineer V8 Premier AWD with 37K on it. I got the powertrain warrenty that goes with the certified used car for 4 years or 75K I think it was. During this 3 month time I have had it, nothing but problems. They include Trans problems 2 times already, all 4 upper control arms needed to be replaced due to heavy noise. rear drivers side tie rod needed to be replaced. Front sway bar bushings needed to be replaced. Both rear axel seals had to be replaced.
Now I'm having a heavy squeak coming from the front end, thats more noticable when making a slight turn or going down bumpy streets. It can't be coming from the sway bar bushings that have just been replaced or the upper control arms. Is there a way the fron wheel bearing could be making this squeak?

I Love this Mountaineer so much but it's questioning the future with it from all the problems just within 3 months. It now has 40K on it.

Is this a normal thing that all 4 upper control arms already had to be replaced?? I never heard of that in my life with such low miles.

Thanks a head of time for any help with these questions!

 

[02mountaineerv8]

anyone?

 

[celly]

I'm always wary of the first year after any major re-design. 2002 was the first year of the "3rd Generation" Explorer. I've read lots of similar stories to yours.

Sorry, can't be of help. I've never driven an Explorer later than the 2nd Gen.

 

[drfrezer]

I've had my Mountaineer for about 8 months and it is a 2002 also but I have had no problems with it at all. I would let the dealer fix all the problems and you should have a somwhat new truck. Thats why you get a warranty. These trucks were known to have some issues but what car manufacture doesn't with a new model.
If the dealer is giving you the run around go to a diffrent one.

 

[keith h]

drfrezer is correct. Let Ford pay to get it right. They did not do it at the factory now they can do it at the dealer. It costs them a lot. You are protected with your warranty. I have had quite a number of problems also. I am dissappointed in Ford but they are still responsible for it. (Rear wheel bearings, differential, in particular.)

 

[02mountaineerv8]

Thanks for the info.

I took my Mountaineer to the dealer today to repair what ever is making this terrible squeak in the front end going down bumpy roads at slow speeds or making turnes. After waiting in the waiting room for an hour and a half, the service adviser came out, told me my front suspension is very tight and they couldn't hear anything noise, then told me what I might be hearing is body noise "what the heck is body noise?"
I had to pay 37 bucks just to have them look at my suspension. I didn't believe they didn't hear anything, so I went to take it for a ride myself, and if I could hear this squeak, I would take it back right away, but what the hell, it was gone now! It was making this noise for a month and now all of a sudden I can't get it to make the noise when it came time for a dealer visit!??
Its only 2 above 0 out right now with a wind chill of -10, so I'm wondering if the extreamy cold temperatures play a part in this not wanting to make this loud squeak that I have been hearing all the time till today! I don't get it, my trucks playing games with me.

 

[dannyb420]

which dealer?

welcome to the site 02mountineer. Which dealer have you taken it to? which dealer did you buy it from. Im in Cleveland too! I have gone to many dealerships with mine. A FORD warranty is a Ford warranty you can take it anywhere. I had been taking mine to Mike Bass in Lorain which is where I bought it but never was happy with the service. Now I take it to John Lance in Westlake and they are great! My advice is just keep taking it back, always ask for the "advisor" to ride with you for a quick run so you can explain the noise or symptoms. I did this when having transmission problems.

 

[02mountaineerv8]

welcome to the site 02mountineer. Which dealer have you taken it to? which dealer did you buy it from. Im in Cleveland too! I have gone to many dealerships with mine. A FORD warranty is a Ford warranty you can take it anywhere. I had been taking mine to Mike Bass in Lorain which is where I bought it but never was happy with the service. Now I take it to John Lance in Westlake and they are great! My advice is just keep taking it back, always ask for the "advisor" to ride with you for a quick run so you can explain the noise or symptoms. I did this when having transmission problems.

I brought this Mountaineer from Nick Mayer Lincoln Mercury in WestLake. I'm not to happy with there service so I did take it next to Mike Bass Ford, talked to the maneger John (boy what an ass he is) He didn't seem to care what problems I was having and didn't show no interest to help me. He had one of his guys take a ride down the driveway to see if he can make the noise I was hearing up front, but of course it wasn't doing it then. I drop him off and he say's well, it's normal then!
So just a few days ago I take it up to John Lance Ford last night Friday and spoke with Mark from the yellow desk I believe it was. Very nice guy. I asked him to look into the suspension to see if his guys see a problem that would be making this squeak. They put it up on a lift as I waited in the waiting room. 15 minutes later he calls me out to his desk, tells me the suspension is very tight, and they took it for a ride and could hear the squeak. It wasn't coming from the suspension, it was comign from the bug gaurd I had on the front end, something to do with is rubbing against the paint on the sides. The put more rubber boots between the hood and the deflecter and I can't believe it, it stopped!! They never chanrged me a dime either to put it on the lift and test drive it!
I'm very happy with there service and I will recommend John Lance Ford to anyone!!! Screw Mike bass, never again go there after talking with that maneger there.

 

[dannyb420]

Great to hear its fixed! They always take care of me there. It makes a huge difference.