New Van Didn't Get Far.
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Hope they get it right for you- I think lots of times they twist stuff in transporting.
When I bought an 86 Ford Club Wagon new it had an issue with how it drove- took it to the dealer a couple of times and they said all was good on alignment. They had no clue.
Finally I took it to a respected independent alignment shop it town- man was it ever out- they had oxy/acetyl torches out heating red hot and bending all sorts of stuff.
They fixed it though!
When I bought an 86 Ford Club Wagon new it had an issue with how it drove- took it to the dealer a couple of times and they said all was good on alignment. They had no clue.
Finally I took it to a respected independent alignment shop it town- man was it ever out- they had oxy/acetyl torches out heating red hot and bending all sorts of stuff.
They fixed it though!
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Congrats and glad you got it sorted
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Follow UP - Major Alignment Problem
I took it in to Robert Horne Ford in Apache Junction last week 31 Dec 15. They confirmed my Transit 150 indeed has a serious mis-alignment from the factory. See the printout below. They re-aligned most parameters, but were unable to correct a right Camber error to within specs. They loosened the sub frame, but still could not get it to specs.
Brought it in again yesterday and left it overnight (no loaner provided). They had ordered new bolts and are in the process today of dropping the sub frame completely and trying to re-align again.
Although I believe Horne Ford is trying hard to sort this out, they tell me they can not replace the damaged front tires, see pic below.
I am now getting worried and losing sleep over this. After such a long journey from ordering to delivery, only to get to my destination and find out I have a $42,206.73 van with a major factory defect. Despite tire damage through no fault of mine, I am on the hook already for early replacement.
I also have the wet air filter problem, see pic below, but have not even brought that up yet.
This is not happening to me is it?
My home dealer did not resolve the problem. One month later, now down in Mesa Az with 3500 miles on my brand new Transit, and there is serious front tire scalping, continued pulling to the left, and steering wheel vibration.
I took it in to Robert Horne Ford in Apache Junction last week 31 Dec 15. They confirmed my Transit 150 indeed has a serious mis-alignment from the factory. See the printout below. They re-aligned most parameters, but were unable to correct a right Camber error to within specs. They loosened the sub frame, but still could not get it to specs.
Brought it in again yesterday and left it overnight (no loaner provided). They had ordered new bolts and are in the process today of dropping the sub frame completely and trying to re-align again.
Although I believe Horne Ford is trying hard to sort this out, they tell me they can not replace the damaged front tires, see pic below.
I am now getting worried and losing sleep over this. After such a long journey from ordering to delivery, only to get to my destination and find out I have a $42,206.73 van with a major factory defect. Despite tire damage through no fault of mine, I am on the hook already for early replacement.
I also have the wet air filter problem, see pic below, but have not even brought that up yet.
This is not happening to me is it?
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On your tire scalping, I am having a hard time seeing it. Is it scalping along the edge due to a few spots where it's not smooth tread? I've been driving my transit 350 to see if it's pulling left and I don't think it is but haven't had it out enough to tell.
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The scalping is on the outside edge of both front tires. The rubber texture at the flat spots is porous-looking compared to the normal tire surfaces that are smoother looking.
When it pulls left, it can cross three lanes very quickly if left alone.
The damage is significant considering 3500 miles.
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Wow, sounds like it. Thanks for the insight. Mine has 1600 miles on it so far and it may pull left on some streets and then straight as an arrow on others. I'll keep an eye out for it. I already have to make an appointment for the paint chipping issue so they may as well look at ensuring the alignment is right too.
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I have to admit there were times when the Transit seemed to steer true, but it would eventually start pulling left and then need constant counter steer to keep it straight. No sense testing it if there are any cross winds.
Both the selling dealer and the dealer here in Mesa seemed reluctant to do an alignment. I heard that Ford limits only one alignment and only within the first 12,000 miles.
Tire wear from bad alignment is collateral damage, so the owner is advised to jump on any problems smartly. The wear on my tires is the worst I have ever seen at 3500 miles, but the dealer is calling it slight.
I plan to approach Ford Customer service to make my case for new tires.
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Oh, indeed. This really sucks for you...since my time on the forum I've considered you a nice guy. But yes, it is happening.
You'll get through it as we always do. I, like you, think that it got jacked during transport. I think their dropping the subframe is quite telling...you would think that if they knew where the issue lie they'd focus on that part...hmmm, I think I'd insist that they look REAL CLOSE look at where that thing mates up with the body.
They're probably going to try everything short of replacing the subframe...something I would surely mention, frequently.
I sincerely wish you the best of luck...however, if this drags on with repeated visits, make sure you document everything little thing and take pictures. It would be nice if you could get in there and get some shots of it all tore apart...maybe try to work that, huh?
You may end up dealing with Ford Corp. on this. I have a feeling when it's all said and done, they'll get you squared away.
Let's hope it fixes up right the first time!
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jonsobi
You need to call Ford Customer Service and get your information on file along with a case number. The fact that the front end caused the tire problem should make Ford replace the tires as part of the corrective action.
You need to call Ford Customer Service and get your information on file along with a case number. The fact that the front end caused the tire problem should make Ford replace the tires as part of the corrective action.
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Update as of 4pm, 8 January 2016.
The Dealer reset the sub-frame, replaced the bolts, and tweaked the alignment. All parameters now show within specs, on paper.
I test drove my Transit with the tech who did the work. There may have been some improvement, but the Transit still has an unmistakable tendency to wander left any time the steering wheel is let go. It did this travelling east, and then again returning west, so wind was not a reason. Whether I drove the van at 35, or 65, it wandered left into the oncoming lane. I think the tech was getting worried when I let it go to the far shoulder, but I wanted to make a point.... this is a dangerous flaw.
The van still also has a fine tremor on the steering wheel at 60-65 MPH.
When I returned with the results, my service adviser referred me up to the service manager, as he had done all he could do at his level to resolve the problems.
I got good feedback from meeting with the service manager. Once he got the history, he engaged and committed quickly to pursuing the issues until a resolution is found. They will take the van in again next week and take another closer look at all the tires.
I have no complaints about how Horne Ford is handling the issues. They are positive, empathetic, and are going about things methodically, adhering to Ford procedures. They are all very professional, and that helps to get me through this process.
I will still follow up on Monday with Ford Customer Service to get them in the loop, and appeal for new tires based on damage from the bad mis-alignment.
Appreciate all your feedback and support. Will keep you posted.
The Dealer reset the sub-frame, replaced the bolts, and tweaked the alignment. All parameters now show within specs, on paper.
I test drove my Transit with the tech who did the work. There may have been some improvement, but the Transit still has an unmistakable tendency to wander left any time the steering wheel is let go. It did this travelling east, and then again returning west, so wind was not a reason. Whether I drove the van at 35, or 65, it wandered left into the oncoming lane. I think the tech was getting worried when I let it go to the far shoulder, but I wanted to make a point.... this is a dangerous flaw.
The van still also has a fine tremor on the steering wheel at 60-65 MPH.
When I returned with the results, my service adviser referred me up to the service manager, as he had done all he could do at his level to resolve the problems.
I got good feedback from meeting with the service manager. Once he got the history, he engaged and committed quickly to pursuing the issues until a resolution is found. They will take the van in again next week and take another closer look at all the tires.
I have no complaints about how Horne Ford is handling the issues. They are positive, empathetic, and are going about things methodically, adhering to Ford procedures. They are all very professional, and that helps to get me through this process.
I will still follow up on Monday with Ford Customer Service to get them in the loop, and appeal for new tires based on damage from the bad mis-alignment.
Appreciate all your feedback and support. Will keep you posted.
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I would imagine this goes without saying, but have them move the worn tires to the rear before the next test drive.
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They did that already. it made no difference.
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Update - Road Force Balancing
By the removal and re-positioning of the sub-frame on my wandering-left T150, the techs brought the hitherto wonky front alignment back within Ford specs. The alignment printout for my brand new Transit now shows all green. Disappointingly, the silly van still drifts to the left like a young Democrat, and gives off unwanted steering wheel vibes.
So, back in to Horne Ford at 0745 this morning. The Service Manager, having corrected the alignment, has instructed his crew to Load-Force Balance all the tires. They explained what that was, but, having never heard of it before, I had to Google it.
Apparently this specialized tire balancing process and equipment puts the wheel and tire under hundreds of pounds of load while sensors detect unsprung weight anomalies that cannot be detected by normal balancing equipment. You may want to google it too in case I missed something important.
Turns out there were two very bad tires, and the other two were just a little bad. They have ordered two new tires (Ford insists on replacing bad Hankooks with new, hopefully not bad, Hankooks). The other two tires were rotated on the rims as per the Load Force equipment, and are "within Ford Specs".
Robert Horne Ford offered me a rental car whilst the new tires get delivered and installed, hopefully NLT tomorrow. That was nice, a white Focus for my spouse to play with (she has yet to sit in the Transit cockpit).
I am taking this all in stride - life being too short to get bent over things beyond my control. And the lads at Horne seem like a good bunch with the best of intentions. Can't fault them.
May the Load Force be with me.
By the removal and re-positioning of the sub-frame on my wandering-left T150, the techs brought the hitherto wonky front alignment back within Ford specs. The alignment printout for my brand new Transit now shows all green. Disappointingly, the silly van still drifts to the left like a young Democrat, and gives off unwanted steering wheel vibes.
So, back in to Horne Ford at 0745 this morning. The Service Manager, having corrected the alignment, has instructed his crew to Load-Force Balance all the tires. They explained what that was, but, having never heard of it before, I had to Google it.
Apparently this specialized tire balancing process and equipment puts the wheel and tire under hundreds of pounds of load while sensors detect unsprung weight anomalies that cannot be detected by normal balancing equipment. You may want to google it too in case I missed something important.
Turns out there were two very bad tires, and the other two were just a little bad. They have ordered two new tires (Ford insists on replacing bad Hankooks with new, hopefully not bad, Hankooks). The other two tires were rotated on the rims as per the Load Force equipment, and are "within Ford Specs".
Robert Horne Ford offered me a rental car whilst the new tires get delivered and installed, hopefully NLT tomorrow. That was nice, a white Focus for my spouse to play with (she has yet to sit in the Transit cockpit).
I am taking this all in stride - life being too short to get bent over things beyond my control. And the lads at Horne seem like a good bunch with the best of intentions. Can't fault them.
May the Load Force be with me.
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Appreciate the positive attitude and sharing the info with us!!!!
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More Bad News on Alignment Problem
Update as of today, Friday 15th.
Horne Ford successfully replaced the two bad tires and Road Force Balanced the new tires. My SA reports this afternoon that all vibration is now gone, but their test drive reveals the van STILL wanders left.
They now have it on the alignment rack again to try to make adjustments. The SA said that despite removing and adjusting the sub-frame, the right camber is still out of spec.
They will keep the van for another day to try yet again to remedy the left-pulling by making alignment adjustments.
Despite Horne Ford's considerable efforts to correct the steering problems, it is now clear to me that a serious defect has existed in my new Transit since delivery day.
As you may recall, I returned the van to the selling dealer 15 minutes after I took delivery with some serious vibration and steering pull. Their service tech test drove it with me and confirmed the bad vibration and pulling to the left. They balanced a tire, told me the alignment was okay, and sent me on my way. They were mistaken.
I reluctantly called Ford Customer Service today and opened a case file.
I will hear from a regional rep by COB Monday.
Update as of today, Friday 15th.
Horne Ford successfully replaced the two bad tires and Road Force Balanced the new tires. My SA reports this afternoon that all vibration is now gone, but their test drive reveals the van STILL wanders left.
They now have it on the alignment rack again to try to make adjustments. The SA said that despite removing and adjusting the sub-frame, the right camber is still out of spec.
They will keep the van for another day to try yet again to remedy the left-pulling by making alignment adjustments.
Despite Horne Ford's considerable efforts to correct the steering problems, it is now clear to me that a serious defect has existed in my new Transit since delivery day.
As you may recall, I returned the van to the selling dealer 15 minutes after I took delivery with some serious vibration and steering pull. Their service tech test drove it with me and confirmed the bad vibration and pulling to the left. They balanced a tire, told me the alignment was okay, and sent me on my way. They were mistaken.
I reluctantly called Ford Customer Service today and opened a case file.
I will hear from a regional rep by COB Monday.
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Corporate time! Well, you've got a handfull of proof since day one. I'm sure Ford will take care of you.
Some of these high end body shops have machines that measure precisely with lasers...for frame straightening, and such. My concern first and foremost would be the places the subframe marries up to the body...if that's jacked I'd insist on a new van.
If it's in the subframe...at least the van isn't trashed but man, that's a lot of work, everything up there sits on it. I've looked at mine, of course, and there is quite a bit going on with several large pieces. The first thing I would ask of Mr. Rep is "How about we replace the entire subframe", and if not, then what pieces? Who knows...he may already have a solution for ya. New van!!!
Good luck, good luck...
Some of these high end body shops have machines that measure precisely with lasers...for frame straightening, and such. My concern first and foremost would be the places the subframe marries up to the body...if that's jacked I'd insist on a new van.
If it's in the subframe...at least the van isn't trashed but man, that's a lot of work, everything up there sits on it. I've looked at mine, of course, and there is quite a bit going on with several large pieces. The first thing I would ask of Mr. Rep is "How about we replace the entire subframe", and if not, then what pieces? Who knows...he may already have a solution for ya. New van!!!
Good luck, good luck...
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