Called the dealer yesterday to schedule an appointment to have some things checked out on my '04.........you know, the same stuff that's been talked about on here all the time. A/C not cool enough, squeeky brakes, slight vibration, etc. Well, my opinion is that on a new vehicle that costs this much, the brakes should not squeek, sounds like crap regardless of any reason anyone can give, and that the dealer should fix that problem under warranty (I know its not defective, but it squeeks!!!) So the guy tells me on the phone that it says in the manual that the breaks will squeek and that they are supposed to. I said "you're telling me that I bought a $30,000+ vehicle and the breaks are 'supposed' to squeek?" And he said yes, it says it in the manual. I got a little harder w/ him when he said that. He said they'd take a look at them when I bring it in, so that means they are not going to do anything about it probably. What a bunch of crap man, I'm going to be short on patience w/ this truck, its my first new one and I read every day about all these dumb problems everyone is having, the trucks cost so much money, and then these dealers are not willing to fix the problems under warranty correctly. I guess I'll probably be upset big time if they try to pull something over me. I'm thinking about printing off a bunch of the TSB's or something and taking them in and saying "this is what I want done, these are the problems."

 

That would be a good idea since the guy doesn't sound too smart.

 

Isn't there a old saying the truth is better than friction ..
I'm sorry , I mean fiction... I'm gonna go get my manual and read up on that one...
Well hopefully they'll at least check into your ac and the vibe.
Even better do what I do .. when you get there and you find him and your
looking him right in the eye you say "may a speak to someone else, you don't
know your game", that'll bum him right out. I did that with the service writer
when I owned my Jeep, and when I went to buy the truck I now have, I was
having a problem getting the deal done with the first salesman so I walked
out and returned the next morning grabbed a different salesman and I'm now
driving a beautiful truck .... ( ya I am )

 

It has been tough for dealers to get reimbursed by Ford for issues concerning brake dust and squeaks. It is probably more Ford's fault here than your dealers.

 

These brakes should not make any noise. I have an 05 Tahoe also (the wifes ride) and never got any noise from it. If the manual says it will make noise rip out that page and show the manager and say this is the manual for this truck.

 

I have never had brakes on any of my F150s squeal except for the 04....and it squeals like a school girl.

 

I haven't had a drop of trouble from my brakes, let alone for my truck. I had the rotors turned the other day, brake pads still had plenty left and now it stops fine. The only trouble I have had was the vacuum on the 4x4 hubs, replaced under warranty and so far so good. I guess it depends on the truck. 2004 F-150 Lariat SCREW 4x4 with 25k miles.

 

MORE Ford's fault? Come on! Sorry to get on your case but this sounds like just another way to pass the buck. From the customer standpoint, the dealer IS Ford.

As for the brakes squealing, did they do this right from the start?

 

My dealership BUILT my truck

 

The customer's standpoint isn't what sees to it that dealers are reimbursed for warranty repairs. Dealers are held to tough standards by Ford to see to it that they're paid for repairing something under warranty. If a dealer is high in a certain repair area (we'll use brakes as an example), they may start denying claims and charging the dealers back for the parts they installed under warranty. Worst case, Ford sends auditors down to the dealer in question to determine whether the repairs were justifable or not. Audits are bad news for dealers, they're like a root canal and a full rectal examination at the same time. They cost dealers lots of money whether they were right in their repairs or not. So no, it's not always the dealer that's at fault, and no, they aren't always innocent either.

 

I'm not Ford or a dealer, or a representative of either, just trying to relay how things work. the dealer is NOT Ford, merely someone that retails a product. I am no way letting any dealer off the hook, but if certain repairs get turned down by the payer, you would stop doing them too. The dealer is obligated to honor warranty per Ford's specifications. I do realize your statement about the the customers viewpoint, but that doesn't make it true. I know people that work for dealers that claim they work for Ford, so the misconception is widespread, but still a misconception.

 

higdogg

When you get your customer satisfaction survey tell them how you feel, and write a nice note to go along with it. I'll tell you - I did when my wife was getting pushed around in the service dept. and the next time she went it they gave her a different service advisor and treated her like a queen.

 

It really doesn't matter, the fact remains that a brand new vehicle's brakes should not squeal , no matter what.

 

I was thinking the same thing.

The dealer should take care of it because thats what your warranty is there for but Ford is to blame for the 'faulty' product not your dealer.

 

I am actually suprised people can get new brakes under warranty since they are a "wear" item, and wear items normally aren't covered.

Yes they shouldn't squeal when new. But Ford's OEM pads are just crap for some reason, and there is a good chance if you have the dealer put new pads on, they will do the same thing. For example, I got brand new pads from Pep Boys for my gf's Accord. They were about the cheapest pad they sold. Well, they started to squeal bad. I tried lubing them but that only lasted a week or so. So I ditched them (even though they had like 95% pad material left) and installed a better quality pad. Now, no more squeals or dust either. I went with Wagner Thermo Quiet Pads, only $22 plus shipping on ebay. THey have a F150 application too, saw them for $23 plus shipping. Could be a suitable alternative to the more expensive Porterfields?