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... has always had the coast-down vibration that requires a bit
of on/off gas to quell. But, back in November it was much worse,
so I took it in to the dealer.
My dealer service department diagnosed the drive line vibration as
the driveshaft. It was there for almost two weeks when they suggested
it might be a while ... and right now I have it back.
PROBLEM is ... there are no driveshafts.
Any tips?
This is still under warranty, and the ticket is still open, but
we're waiting for the part to appear somewhere.
This is the part number, apparently, for a 2011 V6 driveshaft (they don't seem to differentiate auto vs manual.) Go to a Ford parts counter, tell them to look it up and find one.
If they say there's nowhere in the nation that has one, you are never going to get that serviced without buying an aftermarket one, or a used one.
At that point, your legal proceedings would be go to a regional manager, then corporate... then whatever you decide to do.
The reality is that if Ford doesn't have the part... anywhere.. new to replace it under warranty, then they should pay for a replacement from some other location, and still pay the dealer for the install. Of course, they would mark the part non-warranty aftermarket, so you can't go back to the dealer if IT goes bad, but the manufacturer of the driveshaft. To which I'd say you can take the chance on a used one, but I'd demand a new one from a reputable, honest place that should hopefully send you a good new one and off ya go, but will back up their product and work with you/the dealer/another installer to swap it out if their product goes out in their warranty period.
Ok, waaaay too many words there. Hope they help though. Good luck!
The Ford part would be best - I like "stock", as in simple, no
hassles.
I would like it to be found, and if it is the fix, I would be very
happy! Plus an OEM repair would help pay for that warranty!
The service writer will have a part update tomorrow.
It would be great that the diagnosis is real ... I think it would also
maybe help with the repeated issues with the diff. It has been
"rebuilt" twice, as in all bearings, out of service for a week
each visit. Thiswas done in the past ...
10/7/14 and ... at a different Ford Service shop ... again on ...
8/18/2016
This is a 2/24 repair so, if it fails by August this year, it is covered ...
What are the chances this happens again? Imminent ...
The diff is dripping gear oil ... again. That makes 2 whole rebuilds ... from
drip, plus a TSB vent tube visit 4/7/2015 for a drip, and also a pinion seal
diagnosis for another drip 12/8/2017.. that is a LOT of visits
for what I expected would be an established and
robust RWD drivetrain.
Maybe the vibration is killing the diff, or vice versa?
Now warranty end is near ... I was hoping for at least 4 more
years (trouble free and zero $ years).
Pinion seal leaks are caused by bad pinion bearings. How those bearings get bad... well... driveshaft vibrations aren't to be discounted, but usually it's something else. Lowering will cause them if more than 1.25", they say, so you have to fix the pinion angle to compensate. But it's not impossible the vibration in the driveshaft couldn't cause a leaking pinon seal, as it's wobbling *somewhere*...
But I'm not a certified technician on such things. I'm in IT, and play mechanic sometimes, so... yeah. Might maybe get friendly with a service tech on the car, maybe buy him/her pizza and/or beer if they'd just have a look on the side and give you an honest what's what on it. Can't hurt to try, eh?
Got notice driveshaft arrived yesterday ... car is in the bay today to start repair/replace.
Diff leak is diagnosed a pinion bearing (this will be 3rd replace ...).
Hopefully (naively?) hoping all the vibes have zero long term impact on the trans (manual).
On the up - side, got to check out the crop of new Mustangs ... the Royal Crimson is pretty
cool - very Lava like, but the Orange Fury is killer. Proudly, I did not get any drool on the
Shelbys.
The vibration was not driveshaft, but a/the bearing in the flywheel (pilot bearing)?
So, that fix includes the ... flywheel, TOB, clutch and pressure plate (since the bearing
has some sort of upgrade, will not use old flywheel, newer flywheel needs new
clutch ...).
Then this weekend - put the summer tires back on!
(very happy to have the ESP, that includes a loaner or rental -- 2018 Fusion ... )
Diff leak - re positioned vent tube, topped off. (Guess was not pinion bearing).
Flywheel bearing bad - clutch, flywheel etc.
Drive shaft, u-joint bearing coming apart - new shaft.
Ouch! Warranty is over after this ... turned just over 2100 bill into a $50 bill ...
I did test drive a 5.0, and Ecoboost ... sweet. On the downside, got a $3,500 offer
to trade in the '11 Premium ... (109K) ...ouch!
Hooray - have car back! Clutch is way way different than before.
Grrrr... It has been a thorn. Will have to research what is what, what is right. I think I have
a few more months of 2/24 on the last diff rebuild.
Down to the last few months of wear on the tires ... so, may help them along and get back into
some autocross. Baybe the diff/rear woes will self-heal if I properly exercise the car?
I know ... pretty sad. But, instant realization ... this is not a place that is even close to reasonable.
(also best to do the old car totally separately somewhere else).
