To make a long story short, I've had my platinum for a little over a year and I have had it aligned 3 times in 42,000 miles. My tires are junk and everytime the dealer aligned it, the toe was out. I had finally had enough and pulled it in our shop and went over it with our mechanic. In less than 10 minutes we found the lower passenger side ball joint was out. My question is why would a dealer align the truck three times and tell me that nothing is wrong? I find it crazy that ford doesnt set a little better standards in training their service departments. I know its bad news if you have to wait longer on your vehicle to get a steering component fixed but I would rather wait and have it fixed right. So just a little heads up for others who "just need and alignment", make sure you go over your truck before you release it to the dealer. Sorry for the rant, but I find this totally unacceptable. Unfortunately I put to many miles on my truck so i'm stuck with tires that are going to be replaced before they should have due to the dealer be negligent.

 

In a prior career, I was an ASE certified auto tech.

The skinny is this: oftentimes the least skilled mechanics work at dealerships whereas the best techs work at independent shops where they are paid better.

That said, at dealerships there are almost always three guys who have their junk together: the alignment guy, the heavy-line guy, and the tune-up guy. At independents shops those three guys are often more skilled than the dealership. Good dealerships will also have a dedicated wind and rattle guy who is top drawer.

Oftentimes how good a shop is also has more to do with management. If the shop manager is a former tech, expect higher results with fewer come-backs. If he is a business school grad without any formal auto tech training or experience, expect more come-backs.

 

I can completely understand your situation, however... At 42K your truck is still covered by the warranty. Take whatever documentation you can get from your mechanic showing the problem to the dealership. It shouldn't be too hard at that point to get them to admit there is an issue. Have them fix that and then have a serious discussion with them in regards to coincidental damages such as premature wear on the tires from the date they first misdiagnosed your problem. Elevate the problem if need be.

 

From what I understand only the transmission an engine are covered after 36k, no? And what do you do that puts 42k miles on in one year?

 

My understanding also. Drive train components, yes, steering components, no.

A dealer could argue that ball joints are a 'wear' item.

Saying that, if you have the documentation stating that this particular failure started before the expiration of the 36,000 miles warranty, you might have some leverage.

I'd speak with a FoMoCo factory rep. Certainly couldn't hurt anything.

 

Honestly, the only reason I'd never buy another NEW ford is the service at the dealer. Its the worst I've ever experienced. Every service writer in 3 dealerships I visited, San Juan, Irvine and Rancho Santa Margarita were dumber than ****. It was like talking to Boomhauer from King of the Hill.

 

I did buy the premium care warranty so they will cover the balljoint, but the want to align it first ( so I can pay for it), then if it's not fixed they will replace the ball joints. I agree with the independent shops being better, I just hate to take it to them when I have a warranty. I'm at a different dealership this time bc the alignment at the previous dealer took 1 1/2 days, when I had an appointment. I hope they will change their mind when I get it there bc the ball joints are clearly out

 

WTF....You need to leave this dealership alone RIGHT NOW !!! RULE#1 of Alignment: You check for worn suspension and steering components, ride height of vehicle and air pressure/tread depth of tires, if all these items check out ok, then and only then do you proceed with the the alignment. You're pissing in the wind by trying to align something with a bad ball joint. What tech in their right mind would even pull that thing on the alignment rack and actually do an alignment knowing it's got bad ball joints...and knowing they have to realign it again after they replace the ball joints....again I say WTF ???

 

HAHA thats the exact same thing I was thinking! Thats cool and all if your into making more work for yourself...

 

The service manager pretty much told me I didn't know how to check a ball joint. He said they'll look at it but it prob just needs aligned. I know the ball joint is worn out so unless they do that first I won't leave it. I've kept it out of our shop bc I thought a dealer would be better dealing with my truck since we deal in heavy duty trucks and buses. I was wrong ha