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Ford Explorer Community - Maintenance - Modifications - Performance Upgrades - Problem Solving - Off-Road - Street
Explorer Forum Covers the Explorer ST, Explorer Sport, Explorer Sport Trac, Lincoln Aviator, Mercury Mountaineer, Mazda Navajo, Ford Ranger, Mazda Pickups, and the Ford Aerostar
I have a new to me 03 XLT when looking under it the other day i found i had broken sway bar bolt on the driver side front causing the u bracket to hang a bit. so inspecting the pass side i fount it had one bolt and one side was tack welded from broken bolt. i took to ford to get fixed under warrenty and was informed that they had also welded the drivers side that was broke. is this a normal thing to do??? i thought they would tap the broken bolts out and put in some new ones.atleast they said they put in new bushings before weling the thing.
I have a new to me 03 XLT when looking under it the other day i found i had broken sway bar bolt on the driver side front causing the u bracket to hang a bit. so inspecting the pass side i fount it had one bolt and one side was tack welded from broken bolt. i took to ford to get fixed under warrenty and was informed that they had also welded the drivers side that was broke. is this a normal thing to do??? i thought they would tap the broken bolts out and put in some new ones.atleast they said they put in new bushings before weling the thing.
A Ford dealership welded a broken Sway Bar Link Bolt on your vehicle? I can't believe a Ford dealership repair shop would weld a broken part(sway bar link bolt) rather than try and sell you a new one, along with their huge labor rate for the job.
I'm no welder, but you could probably weld a factory sway bar link, appear to be heavy gauge metal, but that would be the wrong way to fix this problem and like you found out, doesn't last long. The correct way to repair this is replace them with a new sway bar link bolt kit. It is not normal to weld them when broke. Somebody was a cheap ba$tard, because replacing both sides only costs between $40-$50 parts price.
This what i dont understand is why they welded the parts on. altho i have not seen my truck yet since i guesse it is not done with other work there doing. But the lady that updated me on it said they welded the driverside also. I really hope she was wrong and they did it the right way. But if i get it back welded i will be sure to post some pics. And yes this is a large ford dealership doing the work.
This what i dont understand is why they welded the parts on. altho i have not seen my truck yet since i guesse it is not done with other work there doing. But the lady that updated me on it said they welded the driverside also. I really hope she was wrong and they did it the right way. But if i get it back welded i will be sure to post some pics. And yes this is a large ford dealership doing the work.
For your sake, lets hope the woman from the dealership doesn't know what she is talking about when she told you that they were welding the broken sway bar link bolts back together. Sway bar links " nut and bolt" on in place, not very much to them. To weld broken ones back together would cost way more than the price of new ones. Are they installing "new Ford factory" sway bar links? Make sure you ask questions to the service manager about the work they did on your vehicle when you go to pick it up to clarify what was really done to it. BTW, to replace both front broken sway bar link bolts with new ones shouldn't take more than 1 hour or so to do at the most, even at a dealership or should I say, stealer-ship.
Yes it could be a broken bracket he is referring to that was welded, but his post topic title was "weld on front sway bar" and mentioned he had broken sway bar link bolts. It wasn't a great explanation of his definitive problem or issue.
Yes it could be a broken bracket he is referring to that was welded, but his post topic title was "weld on front sway bar" and mentioned he had broken sway bar link bolts. It wasn't a great explanation of his definitive problem or issue.
Yes the bolts that held the u brackets on the front sway bar pass side had one good bolt one broken and was tack welded on the side with the broken.
found the drivers side to have one good and one broken causing the the u braket to hang. was told it had been welded. But been a week now and no x.
Yes the bolts that held the u brackets on the front sway bar pass side had one good bolt one broken and was tack welded on the side with the broken.
found the drivers side to have one good and one broken causing the the u braket to hang. was told it had been welded. But been a week now and no x.
Got it now. Who ever welded over the broken bracket bolt took the easy way out, rather than drill and tap out the broken bolt. That suspension must have taken a hard it to break those bolts.
Hmm no word on what they did to the front swaybar weather the right thing or the easy way out.... But when i took it in, i also could hear what thought was torque converter rattle and complained about this. found out today they are gonna put in a brand new tranny and converter since they said they could not over haul the one in it, since it had been done at 40k already. i do know they were gonna flush it and put in new fluid.the tranny that was in it seemed fine except for the rattle, it is model year 2002 sold as a 2003. But if they really did weld the sway back on, i sure hope they puy in a new tranny and not rebuild mine.... :roll:
Why is that a new problem always pops up shortly after taking a vehicle in for a minor repair at a dealership (which it seems was done incorrectly anyway)?
Hmm no word on what they did to the front swaybar weather the right thing or the easy way out.... But when i took it in, i also could hear what thought was torque converter rattle and complained about this. found out today they are gonna put in a brand new tranny and converter since they said they could not over haul the one in it, since it had been done at 40k already. i do know they were gonna flush it and put in new fluid.the tranny that was in it seemed fine except for the rattle, it is model year 2002 sold as a 2003. But if they really did weld the sway back on, i sure hope they puy in a new tranny and not rebuild mine.... :roll:
They should install a "new" torque converter because cleaning and rebuilding a damaged/used one takes too long and is too much work. They would have to cut it open on a lathe, split it in two, then clean it out and replace internal parts then weld it back together and re-balance it. They aren't going to do that. It's easier and cheaper for them to replace it with a new one all ready to go. I think a new torque converter sells for approx: $100-$200, their cost.
They may rebuild your old tranny casing and re-use certain parts outside and inside of it if they deem them okay to use again. They do this to cut costs and increase their profit margin on each tranny they sell or do warranty work on. Is the dealership going to cover the cost of a new/rebuilt tranny and torque converter under a warranty you have with them or are you paying for the entire cost of this yourself? Either way it is, they will cut costs to save them money or increase their profit margins. Be sure to ask them what new parts they installed and what used parts they re-used again and make sure they list what part is what, on your work order receipt they give you when you go to pick up your vehicle. Don't be afraid to ask them questions, it's your vehicle!
I would own any dealer who tried to weld anything on my truck like the manager would be basically bending over... I don't see why I couldn't sue them for half assing it and potentially endangering my life plus my family... Welding is half ass and like said I wouldn't accept it in that condition...
BTW I'm the guy who stands at the bay door watching and criticizing them (not using a torque wrench to tighten lug nuts) made him loosen every lug and tighten by hand in front of me "i want to hear the click on each lug nut"
My cars dont go anythere fo repairs im a firm believer in if you want something done right do it yourself.....
You know they will half ass a warranty claim like they did for me since my trans is junk and had a torque converter at 30,000,77,000 and a full teardown at 95,000 I'm at 106,000 with it still not 100%.........
I WOULD SAY SOMETHING LIKE HALF ASSING THAT WITH A WELDER IS NOT ACCEPTABLE AND IS NOT LEGITIMATE TO KEEP ME SAFE ...ALSO IF YOU CAN'T FIX IT RIGHT EXPECT A LAWSUIT...
usually straightens them out... What I would do...... you paid too much for a rigged pos
x2...I hate it when people who do this stuff for a living have no pride in their work and half a$$ stuff or do it outright wrong. Too often I have found this to be the case with a lot of dealers/shops in my area. I have no patience for that especially in this economy where there are a lot of capable people lining up for jobs and you still have some clowns who do poor quality work or shops that continue have bad customer service because they can get away with it. Too bad some customers are stuck with hacks and sub-standard shops because that's all that's in their area.
Lots of times its worth doing the work yourself if possible since you can research how to do a job and get it done the right way. Might take more time and effort but usually less $$$ and always more peace of mind.
x2...I hate it when people who do this stuff for a living have no pride in their work and half a$$ stuff or do it outright wrong. Too often I have found this to be the case with a lot of dealers/shops in my area. I have no patience for that especially in this economy where there are a lot of capable people lining up for jobs and you still have some clowns who do poor quality work or shops that continue have bad customer service because they can get away with it. Too bad some customers are stuck with hacks and sub-standard shops because that's all that's in their area.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I think you'll find half assed dealerships/ repair shops in every corner of America these days. All they care about is how much money $$$$$ they can take from you, especially from vehicle owners who have little automotive repair knowledge. I always question a repair shop on the repair they say I need or about the price/labor time they quote me. I let them know "they work for me" or "I hired you", since I'm the one putting money into their pockets. If I feel I'm getting the run around, I'm outta there, they'll never see me again. I'll take my money elsewhere. Luckily, I found a trust worthy mechanic earlier in the year who won't try and sell me a part I don't need or over charge me for labor on a repair I need. He's honest, and that is hard to find these days. I get the impression too many business owners these days think that because they are in business for themselves, it gives them a license to rip people off just to make a buck by not providing quality and honest work for the job they are paid for. BTW, I only take my vehicle in for repairs when it is something I don't have the knowledge or tools to do the job myself.
Why is that a new problem always pops up shortly after taking a vehicle in for a minor repair at a dealership QUOTE]>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
It's because they are shady business people. They go looking for other problems with your vehicle even though you brought it into them for something different and didn't give them permission to inspect other parts of your vehicle. I had this happen to me back in March when my EX was in a tranny shop getting a rebuilt tranny installed under warranty work (tranny shops) and the owner told me there was rear diff gear oil leaking from a weep hole on the rear diff., claimed bearings were going bad and getting hot. I said to him, "what were you doing looking around the rear diff of my vehicle when I didn't ask to look for other problems on the vehicle"? "My vehicle is here for transmission work" only! He ignored my question and went on to say when my bearings go in the rear diff, he'll make up his money(or loss of money for the warranty work he had to do on my transmission) thru my private warranty I have on my vehicle. Repair shops overcharge warranty companys for the repairs they do. He said this to me like he already knew or expected I would bring my vehicle back to him for this repair. Little does he know I'd never let this guy near my vehicle again. Scum bag businessman. BTW, after I got the EX back from the tranny shop, I checked the rear diff fluid level because I didn't trust this guy after I got to know him during the original tranny job, it was full, but I changed the fluid anyhow to be sure and 8 months later, still driving it and no noises or sounds from rear end and never any leaks from the rear diff like he claimed. I park in the same, clean spot in my drivevway everyday and not a drop of oil or any other fluid under my vehicle. I couldn't even find the so-called weep hole on the rear diff.
Well for all interested i thought i would update this thread. Got the truck back even though short lived. The fix from ford to fix the front sway bar was to weld drivers side also, rather than do the right thing and tap the bolts out and replace...
But not ending there, my torque converter was is failing farliy fast very noisey even on the highway now after lock up. The first fix, tell us its getting a new trans but to only flush it out and tell us it was fixed.. The only thing that did was make it worse. Next fix, they replace the truck instead of the transmission. go figure.. Gonna see where this go's tho..Some crazy Sh*t
Well for all interested i thought i would update this thread. Got the truck back even though short lived. The fix from ford to fix the front sway bar was to weld drivers side also, rather than do the right thing and tap the bolts out and replace...
But not ending there, my torque converter was is failing farliy fast very noisey even on the highway now after lock up. The first fix, tell us its getting a new trans but to only flush it out and tell us it was fixed.. The only thing that did was make it worse. Next fix, they replace the truck instead of the transmission. go figure.. Gonna see where this go's tho..Some crazy Sh*t
I'm surprised a Ford dealership repair shop would weld a sway bar bracket in place rather than drill and tap out the broken bolts. They would make more money in labor time tapping out the broken bolts than welding it together. Welding it together would take very little time. It is also a half a$$ed way to do the repair and not sure how much stress the weld would be under during driving conditions and if it would even last. I'm also surpised they took back the truck they originally sold you and replaced it with another vehicle. They must have found some other problems wrong with your first EX and figured it was cheaper for them to just give you another vehicle off of the lot. Was your first Ex under a dealership warranty when you brought it back to them for repairs? Was the replacement vehicle of equal value and condition to the one you first paid for? Is it running good?
On your noisy torque converter problem, I had something similar with mine right after I bought my Ex back in January. It was mid winter back then and cold outside, the torque converter would make a loud whiney noise right after a cold start up. It would quiet down after the engine warmed up so I brought it back to the dealership and from there to a transmission repair shop. First repair attempt was to flush and refill the tranny with new fluid and install a new tranny pump to help increase fluid pressure. This is what the dealership wanted to try because this was a cheap fix attempt for them, about $100 it cost them. It quieted the torque converter whine down, but the tranny had other issues, gear slippage, down shifting hard etc., so back to the tranny shop for a rebuilt tranny the following week. The first rebuilt tranny lasted 32 days and the solenoid pack fried out, so back into the tranny shop for another one. Still working okay today. In total, my truck spent 17 days in this tranny shop. Longer story short, I wound up having to threaten to sue the dealership to pay for this tranny rebuild by using the NY state lemon law (had a few weeks left under this warranty) against them and I also had problems with an a$$hole tranny shop owner who is buddy's with this dealership owner. Both of these scum bags had me so pissed off over this truck I nearly lost my cool and smacked both of them upside their heads, nothing but liars and cheats. It would have felt great knocking out some of their teeth, because they definately deserved it, but it would have cost me $$$$$$$ in the long run. It's no wonder that car salesman and auto repair shops have some of the worst reputations in the business world. Even a "Hooker" would give you better customer care and more for your money than these guys! :
Ya i was surprized about the welding also, Once they told me they were putting in a new tranny than only flushed the tranny, told me it was fixed and now it is worse.. I found the email of the general manager of the dealer and wrote him some mail. Need less to say some others that work there were rather surprized about the welding also. But yes the truck is under warrenty for a bit longer, still have it for now while they find me a replacement should be getting a call today. But was told there gonna hook me up cause of all the problems, So really there is alot more to the storie and thinking about it, the truck has been bad luck since bought. i have only had it in my yard for a few weeks and the other few in the shop. So ya they deam it cheaper to replace the truck than fix it. O and i think they would have tapped the bolts on the sway bar if i was paying cash.. So since it was warrenie they weld
But yes the truck is under warrenty for a bit longer, still have it for now while they find me a replacement should be getting a call today. But was told there gonna hook me up cause of all the problems, So really there is alot more to the storie and thinking about it, the truck has been bad luck since bought. i have only had it in my yard for a few weeks and the other few in the shop. So ya they deam it cheaper to replace the truck than fix it. O and i think they would have tapped the bolts on the sway bar if i was paying cash.. So since it was warrenie they weld
Don't let this dealership drag out the time to replace your vehicle with a new one. They may attempt to wait you out past the expiration date of your dealership lemon law warranty and then you have no recourse against them. Get receipts with dates on them for everytime you had the vehicle back in their repair shop for repairs. Have the number of days it was in the shop listed on the receipt as well, meaning date it was dropped off and date it was picked up by you. FYI, during the state Lemon Law warranty period thru the dealership you have with them, for every day your vehicle was broken down and in the shop for repairs or lost time of use with your vehicle, your lemon law warranty gets extended by those number of days. For example, if you lost 10 days use of your vehicle while it was in the repair shop for repairs during your lemon law warranty period, you tack on those 10 lost days to repairs to the original end date of your lemon law period. You must notify the dealership when it breaks down and allow them the chance to repair it for those lost days to extend the warranty period. If you don't tell them about a break down or bring it back to them for them to repair, those lost days don't count then towards extending the lemon law warranty period. In New York, dealerships are allowed 3 attempts to repair the same break down before you can sue them in court for failing to fix the problem. This is the law in New York State, but it could vary by state, so check out your states lemon law. You can find it online thru a Google search.
I really hope this dealership does right by you as they claimed to you they will, and gets you into a decent new vehicle and has their mechanics go thru (inspect) the new vehicle to make sure there are no major issues wrong with it before they give it to you. Don't let them give you a vehicle of lesser value than the first one you paid for and don't let them screw you around with BS. Good luck!
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