Brought my truck in the shop two weeks ago for some work.Including front brakes seem to be hanging up ,have a squeal in the wheel when taking off after braking.All other repairs were done except brake issue could not be replicated.Now this noise gets worse the further you drive.I hear it all the time at every stop.So I call the dealer on Tuesday the 6th.I told them the brakes are still hanging up and they are not right.They said Friday.Dropped it of Thursday night.They called me this afternoon and said the truck falls under a tsb for rack and pinion ,calipers and rotors,but truck is two days out of warrantee.So they wont do it.........


What should I do now?Aftermarket brakes.Call Ford Rep.Stay pissed.I love my truck but that is plain wrong no matter which angle you look at it from.Ford needs to train it's Service Managers and tech's a little better.IMHO

 

Call Ford Motor Company Customer Service and give them a negative feedback on the Service Dept. They hate that! Let the Service Manager know you're going to do this. I bet he'll change his tune. Good luck! Don't take no for an answer!

 

I don't think they are going to have much choice, as you had it in prior to this for the same problem without them fixing it. As stated before, contact Ford directly, and make sure you have copies of your old work orders.

 

I agree, if a work order was opened on this repair before your warrenty ran out... it still should be fixed under warrenty.... tell them to finsh the work that was started while your truck was in warrenty... if no, call fords customer service number and tell the service manager that you are going to do it.. and to be looking for a call...

 

I thought when you needed a TSB done even when your out of warrenty they are supposed to do it anyway.


James

 

Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) is basically for the mechanics as a service guideline to repair a particular problem, it not a recall...

 

If they didn't fix it right the first time, then they should fix it.
If it's a TSB, then they have no choice but to fix it for you since they is a "factory recall" repair and not a wear-n-tear repair.

 

I believe that Ford has 3k miles or 3 month warranty on repairs, parts at least maybe labor too. That should cover your original repairs for a while.

 

I too believe tsb's are for warranty only work. Bs. Bandit, I really need to know what the TSB for the rack and pinion was, let me know if you can find out. My steering rack snapped while 4x4'n and I'm wondering if there is an updated rack out there.

 

TSBs are set up as guidance for the internal guys. It's really not information that us, as end users, is meant to use and interpret on our own. It has nothing to do with warranty... just to do with fixing the problem.

In short, they had a problem that was repetitive. They jumped in nose first and wrote the solution to this 'common' problem. In today's 'information age', we're just lucky enough to be able to research them and 'help' the service guys into the right direction...

 

Thanks RockPick for simplifying what a T.S.B is. I am a Ford tech, and I can tell you guys that just because your truck is particular model or year does not mean that is included in the T.S.B. Not all '04 F-150's need the updated rack, but most may need the rotors and calipers. Josiah, I can find the part # for you if want an updated rack. But it shouldn't be covered under warranty. Let me know.

 

I'm out of warranty, but I'd really like to know what they changed with the updated rack if possible. There is a retarded weld smack dab in the middle of the rack, where 2 different metals (one is metallic, one is not) meet. Mine snapped clean right here. I would like to know what years have the updated model as I look on car-parts.com I think it is for my parts, very cheap. Also, what is there to removing the steering rack? Just the mounts and then it pulls out of the steering shaft or are there a couple bolts on the steering shafts end attached to the rack as well? Let me know, thanks.

 

Someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the rack change was for VERY early 04 builds. Mine was built late August 03 and did not fall under the TSB for the rack. Brakes yes, and mine were replaced under the extended warranty per the TSB. Otherwise I would have had to pay as the problem with the brakes seizing and overheating didn't start till well after the 3year 36k warranty.

 

kingfish is right, the update for the steering rack is for the early '04. Check your build date. I found the tsb, before 8/20/03 has old style rack. Not sure what the difference is. I would guess you can use a steering rack from any '04+ 4x4 f-150, but don't quote me on that. not a parts guy.

 

rack install is easy. two main nuts and bolts, two outer tie rod ends, one bolt at the steering shaft, and the fluid lines.