Ford Service Department Rip'n Me Off

[xr_velocity]

I recently broke a rear diff mount bolt, obviously the centre one like everyone else. This is the second time it has happened. Anyway the first time it was done under new car warranty, even though the car has 310rwkw. My luck, can't complain about that. Anyway, it breaks months later again after Powercruise. I get it towed to Ford as I have Ford roadside assist, they only tow it to the nearest Ford Service.

I never expected to get it done under parts warranty, though I did try but not very hard. Anyway I accpeted that I would have to pay. So I tell them I will not use Ford parts as they will break again, they tell me they will not warrant them, I say fine I don't expect you to. I buy a Mal Woods diff cover with high tensile socket head bolt and SuperPro Urethane bush.

So they install it, car has a squeak from rear end, I figure it's the urethane bush, incorrect installation, not enough grease, simple. But I leave it, don't take it back. About 1000km later the dreaded drive line noises come back and I think there ius no way that these parts could be broken. So I get a pair of pliers under the car and tighten the centre diff mount bolt.....it was incredibly loose. So I call them, they say come down. I say the diff bolt was loose, obviously your guys have not put loctite on it. I also mention the squeak that was there from the bush, and that it was probably not greased correctly for it to make that noise.

I get a call in the afternoon, "that will be $55". I say what for, bolts don't come loose on their own you know. THye say aftermarket parts not our fault. I have a half hour arguement with them about the fact. THe assuistant manager tells me that they can't get enough tension on the socket head type bolt, that's why it came loose. I say what about the squeak, you tightened the rear suspension bolts when the squeak was clearly coming from the bush. Dickhead manager says they don't know where it was coming from so they just tightened everything. Anyway syou just couldn't win with this toolbox puppet. So I have to pay $55 to get the car and go home.

So today I have Superpro (bush supplier) email me the fitting insutructions for said bush, it clearly says high tensile bolt and LOCTITE is recommended. So I ring Ford spare parts to see if their factory bolt comes with the blue thread lock compound on the end of it, it does. So I am awaiting Ford Arncliffe to return my call to sort this out. I want the rear end dropped again and LOCTITE used on the bolt. It is a matter of time before it comes loose again. They will turn around and say it's been 6 months since we did that work, there is no way it is our fault.

Where should I go from here as I know they will say to me that they are not going to cover the cost and refund my already paid $55.

I have already paid $660 in labour for these chimpanzees to stuff up, I do not want to have to pay that to someone in the future because Ford are #$%^holes.

Can anyone offer any advice as to where I should take this? Is there somewhere within Ford I can appeal? Office of Fair Trading?

Edited 08/05/09 11:14 AM by Dagabond

[Rosie]

My suggestion would be to cut your losses and run!

When a Ford service guy told me he could 'bodgey up' a brand new part they broke as a solution to an issue I had some Years ago, I vowed my Car would never go near a Ford Dealership again!

It hasn't!

Find a Shop your happy with and go there, ongoing!

And Ford Head Office Customer Service is a complete waste of time!

[xr_velocity]

I am fearing that...but don't want to have to fork out more hard earned for someone else to do it.

That is my point and I will kick up a stink rather than just rollover and die. I know it may get me nowhere but I will go down fighting.

[Rosie]

Sorry mate, but I tried all that on more than one occassion, even with my Wifes XR6T!

- Which was stock anyway!

- This included repeated Phone calls to Head Office in Melbourne!

I do wish you the best of luck however.

- I hope you win!

Maybe one Day they will find the meaning and value of true 'Customer Service'!

[Rootster]

hi Xr velocity take it to peter warren smithfield.....I was dicked around for ages by dickhead dealers....took it to them and haven't had a problem since...bit of a hike but worth the travel cheers Nick

[ZAP]

Mate, Did you give the instructions to them when you delivered the part ?

If not, you have little chance of getting them to fix it. If you did then I agree with the other statements and treat this as a learning experience.

[wrecku]

sometimes you have to learn the hard way

[xr_velocity]

I did give them the instructions when I gave them the bush, hence why they should have used LOCTITE as per the instructions.

The Manager is back from holidays today so I will be taking it up with him. Next Ford Complaints, then Office of Fair Trading then A Current Affair...just threaten them with everything and hope they give in.....but I don't like my chances still.

[tab]

lol

[straughsberry]

Why anyone would ever take a car to dealer I don't know. RUN peoples. RUN like the wind and never look back.