Blown Differential!
2/10/11, 06:51 PM
#1
Mach 1 Member
Thread Starter
Blown Differential!
2011 GT Premium, auto trans. 534 miles, NO mods at all yet.
Well, driving in to work this morning on the highway, I had a bit of an issue... Traveling 70 mph on Cruise, I felt a "tug", it felt like the car down-shifted. (This was on a flat, level road.) Shortly after that, a vibration started and quickly got worse, but there were no "bad noises". I though I had blown a tire, but the TPMS light was not on. I then noticed white smoke coming out the back.
I pulled over to the right shoulder ASAP, and got out to check the tires. They were all fine. Something did NOT smell good! I looked under the back of the car and saw black fluid dripping down from the rear end...
Called the tow truck and had it hauled to the dealer. They gave me a fairly decent '09 Focus for a loaner. (Not a bad lil' car, frankly.) They called this afternoon and said they think a bearing went out "or something", and it ate itself. Little bits of metal all over. They've ordered the replacement, and the parts should be in on Monday, I may actually have it back Tuesday.
They said it is all covered under warranty, no problem.
Hopefully it's got that out of it's system and all will be good now!
I have NOT done any burnouts or donuts - seriously! I bought the car with 30 miles on it, and I put on most of those with 2 test drives!
Well, driving in to work this morning on the highway, I had a bit of an issue... Traveling 70 mph on Cruise, I felt a "tug", it felt like the car down-shifted. (This was on a flat, level road.) Shortly after that, a vibration started and quickly got worse, but there were no "bad noises". I though I had blown a tire, but the TPMS light was not on. I then noticed white smoke coming out the back.
I pulled over to the right shoulder ASAP, and got out to check the tires. They were all fine. Something did NOT smell good! I looked under the back of the car and saw black fluid dripping down from the rear end...
Called the tow truck and had it hauled to the dealer. They gave me a fairly decent '09 Focus for a loaner. (Not a bad lil' car, frankly.) They called this afternoon and said they think a bearing went out "or something", and it ate itself. Little bits of metal all over. They've ordered the replacement, and the parts should be in on Monday, I may actually have it back Tuesday.
They said it is all covered under warranty, no problem.Hopefully it's got that out of it's system and all will be good now!
I have NOT done any burnouts or donuts - seriously! I bought the car with 30 miles on it, and I put on most of those with 2 test drives!
2/10/11, 07:51 PM
#2
Wow man that sucks. Sorry to hear that. Hopefully that won't change the way u feel about ur ride. This kinda stuff happens, but as long as it's getting fixed up, shell be good as new.
2/10/11, 07:55 PM
#3
Mach 1 Member
Thread Starter
Well, I'm really not angry about it, or spoiled on the car. 
Fortunately it wasn't something engine-related. It was 4 deg. F this morning, so sitting in the car for 1 1/2 hrs. wasn't too bad for me.
*Forgot to mention above- While I was sitting there, I ran a Vehicle Health Report from the SYNC. It showed NO problems. (As I sat there waiting for the truck...)
I even told a couple guys at work, "You may commence with the FORD jokes..."
I had a '92 Chevy Tahoe that blew the 2-3 shifter in the trans. at 34k miles. That got fixed and I never had another problem with it. This should be about the same... <fingers crossed>
Fortunately it wasn't something engine-related. It was 4 deg. F this morning, so sitting in the car for 1 1/2 hrs. wasn't too bad for me.
*Forgot to mention above- While I was sitting there, I ran a Vehicle Health Report from the SYNC. It showed NO problems. (As I sat there waiting for the truck...)
I even told a couple guys at work, "You may commence with the FORD jokes..."
I had a '92 Chevy Tahoe that blew the 2-3 shifter in the trans. at 34k miles. That got fixed and I never had another problem with it. This should be about the same... <fingers crossed>
Last edited by Ronin38; 2/10/11 at 07:58 PM.
2/15/11, 03:20 PM
#4
Mach 1 Member
Thread Starter
Got my car back today! Only 2 business days, so that's not too bad. Made it home okay... haha.
I did feel a slight vibration in the car while driving home, hopefully that's not a bad sign.
It seemed to be gone by the time I got home, though.
Also- it's finally warm enough to wash the car, so it's back to it's original color!
I did feel a slight vibration in the car while driving home, hopefully that's not a bad sign.
It seemed to be gone by the time I got home, though.Also- it's finally warm enough to wash the car, so it's back to it's original color!
2/15/11, 04:31 PM
#5
Mach 1 Member
Join Date: September 22, 2009
Posts: 527
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Got my car back today! Only 2 business days, so that's not too bad. Made it home okay... haha.
I did feel a slight vibration in the car while driving home, hopefully that's not a bad sign. It seemed to be gone by the time I got home, though.
Also- it's finally warm enough to wash the car, so it's back to it's original color!
I did feel a slight vibration in the car while driving home, hopefully that's not a bad sign.
It seemed to be gone by the time I got home, though.Also- it's finally warm enough to wash the car, so it's back to it's original color!
Ford balances the drivetrain as a full assembly on the line, so changing the rear-end can mess that up and cause vibration. If this is happening it's not really a pressing mechanical concern, but your dealer can balance the drive-shaft to get that to stop.
2/15/11, 05:09 PM
#6
Mach 1 Member
Thread Starter
Oh, I'll be watching for it, trust me!
It was a 40-minute drive home on the interstate (60-80mph variably), then some around-town driving, and another short 60-80 mph run on the interstate after washing it. It will be tested... "thoroughly", in the next couple of days. 
I did think about the balancing issue as well, so if it's still noticeable later I'll call them back.
I'm also going to check the tire pressures and lug nuts to make sure all is good there.
Edit: Tire pressures were all good, but a few of the lug nuts needed a good 1/4 turn or so for proper torque.
It was a 40-minute drive home on the interstate (60-80mph variably), then some around-town driving, and another short 60-80 mph run on the interstate after washing it. It will be tested... "thoroughly", in the next couple of days.
I did think about the balancing issue as well, so if it's still noticeable later I'll call them back.
I'm also going to check the tire pressures and lug nuts to make sure all is good there.
Edit: Tire pressures were all good, but a few of the lug nuts needed a good 1/4 turn or so for proper torque.
Last edited by Ronin38; 2/15/11 at 07:03 PM.
3/24/11, 09:22 AM
#8
Mach 1 Member
Thread Starter
Update - vibration.
Well, I have about 700 mi. on the car, and still have a small vibration at highway speeds. I also have an occasional vibration when slowing down (engine braking) from 40 mph or so. I took it back in to the dealer yesterday, and the tech. who fixed it the first time took the car for a test drive with me. He definitely noticed the vibrations, and they're going to take care of it.
I have a 2010 Sebring for a loaner this time. I actually liked the '09 Focus better... Plain, boring appliance car.
The Sebring is nice. Not thrilling, but nice.
I have a 2010 Sebring for a loaner this time. I actually liked the '09 Focus better... Plain, boring appliance car.
The Sebring is nice. Not thrilling, but nice.
3/24/11, 09:30 AM
#9
Cobra Member
Join Date: July 12, 2010
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,310
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
After re reading this it kinda sounds like a similar situation I had with my 2008 mustang GT where something would shake / wobble and it took the dealer multiple times to figure out what it was. I believe it was a loose compartment under the car from the exhaust. At least the dealer has heard it first hand and are trying to fix it.
Hope they take care of it for you.
Hope they take care of it for you.
3/24/11, 03:28 PM
#11
Mach 1 Member
Thread Starter
Tony- It WILL be, one way or another! 
I did talk to my service guy today. They pulled a drive shaft off a NEW Mustang on their lot and put it in my car, and have been testing it for vibrations, etc. They (we) think it might have been a bad u-joint. So far, so good...
I did talk to my service guy today. They pulled a drive shaft off a NEW Mustang on their lot and put it in my car, and have been testing it for vibrations, etc. They (we) think it might have been a bad u-joint. So far, so good...
3/25/11, 05:38 PM
#12
Mach 1 Member
Thread Starter
Got my car back today! 
The service mgr. explained everything they did to find/fix the issue... quite a lot! They checked out the diff. and everything seemed okay there. Then they swapped my drive shaft with one from a brand-new Mustang off their lot. Tested both cars for noises and vibrations. Swapped the drive shafts back, tested again. Re-indexed (and then re-balanced) my drive shaft, inspected all the U-joints, and made sure everything was lubricated and tightened properly. During the course of all this, the technician, shop manager and service manager all drove each car checking for noises and vibrations.
Then when I got there to pick it up today, the service manager rode with me while I tested it out, also. I do think it's fixed this time.
The want me to "test it thoroughly" this weekend, and report back on Monday. I think I can do that...
The service mgr. explained everything they did to find/fix the issue... quite a lot! They checked out the diff. and everything seemed okay there. Then they swapped my drive shaft with one from a brand-new Mustang off their lot. Tested both cars for noises and vibrations. Swapped the drive shafts back, tested again. Re-indexed (and then re-balanced) my drive shaft, inspected all the U-joints, and made sure everything was lubricated and tightened properly. During the course of all this, the technician, shop manager and service manager all drove each car checking for noises and vibrations.
Then when I got there to pick it up today, the service manager rode with me while I tested it out, also. I do think it's fixed this time.
The want me to "test it thoroughly" this weekend, and report back on Monday. I think I can do that...
Last edited by Ronin38; 3/25/11 at 05:43 PM.
3/26/11, 11:35 AM
#14
Cobra Member
Got my car back today!
The service mgr. explained everything they did to find/fix the issue... quite a lot! They checked out the diff. and everything seemed okay there. Then they swapped my drive shaft with one from a brand-new Mustang off their lot. Tested both cars for noises and vibrations. Swapped the drive shafts back, tested again. Re-indexed (and then re-balanced) my drive shaft, inspected all the U-joints, and made sure everything was lubricated and tightened properly. During the course of all this, the technician, shop manager and service manager all drove each car checking for noises and vibrations.
Then when I got there to pick it up today, the service manager rode with me while I tested it out, also. I do think it's fixed this time.
The want me to "test it thoroughly" this weekend, and report back on Monday. I think I can do that...
The service mgr. explained everything they did to find/fix the issue... quite a lot! They checked out the diff. and everything seemed okay there. Then they swapped my drive shaft with one from a brand-new Mustang off their lot. Tested both cars for noises and vibrations. Swapped the drive shafts back, tested again. Re-indexed (and then re-balanced) my drive shaft, inspected all the U-joints, and made sure everything was lubricated and tightened properly. During the course of all this, the technician, shop manager and service manager all drove each car checking for noises and vibrations.
Then when I got there to pick it up today, the service manager rode with me while I tested it out, also. I do think it's fixed this time.
The want me to "test it thoroughly" this weekend, and report back on Monday. I think I can do that...
You have, what sounds like, a great service department. When you go back on Monday, take a dozen donuts in to them..my son in law worked in sales at a dealership and said no ever thanks the techs..he would take donuts in, as a way of thanking them for taking care of his customers. Always appreciated. Just a thought.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Rando
2010-2014 Mustang
8
8/25/21 11:12 AM
tj@steeda
2015 - 2023 MUSTANG
0
9/16/15 06:44 PM
tj@steeda
2015 - 2023 MUSTANG
0
9/1/15 01:19 PM
Evil_Capri
Ford Discussions
1
8/27/15 01:08 PM