Steering wheel controls have gone wacky!

[George]

You are welcome!! If you have any other issues, check in with us first... maybe we can help with other data.
It' usually not good to go into a dealer and tell them how to fix something, but when they say "it won't hurt anything, leave it that way", I object! Here's a case where it probably would have done something or FORD would have NEVER put out a fix.
Please, keep us tuned in as to how you make out.

[Sophia]

I gave that article to the parts department manager. Today he said there’s a more recent one, it's TSB 06-05-16.

[George]

Sophia:
Thank you. That's the type of info we need to get out to others here. I will try to get a copy of that TSB.

I find it rather amusing that on your first visit, they didn't know anything and just told you "it won't hurt anything to leave it that way".
Then when you go in armed with info they tell you there's a more recent TSB. Something they should have known and/or looked up originally, to prevent you from going back for the same complaint.

I think you should find another dealer.

[PoetAtLaw]

Hi, Everyone. I posted this story on another thread in response to a related question. But I thought it might be useful to others who have an airbag indicator light problem. The clock spring problem is a long story. Sorry about that.

The problem was diagnosed by the dealership when the airbag light remained on. The dealership wanted to $95 just to diagnose the problem, but "kindly" offered to deduct the cost from the repair. The estimated repair cost was about $580, of which $112 was the part cost. The dealership also indicated the airbag light could be caused by a problem with the airbag mechanism itself, too, and they wouldn't know for certain until they repaired the clock spring. The airbag fix was estimated to cost $860. The amount seemed a shockingly high (but I am no car-repair expert). So I called a few non-dealerships. Each quoted a price, including parts, of less than $200.00.

When I confronted the dealership about the amazing cost disparity, the service manager indicated the T-Bird's telescoping steering wheel added time to the repair, and the standard, computerized time-estimators didn't include that cost. (Frankly, I was skeptical, because I had discussed the complexity of the steering column with some of the other repair shops, and one shop owner had fixed three Ford clock springs that week, but not T-Bird clock springs.)

Of course, the dealership had a deal for me! The dealership noted I had not done my 30,000 mile servicing at the dealership. (I had done it through Jiffy Lube.) So they offered to do the servicing for (coincidentally) about the same amount as the clock spring repair ($570). In exchange, they would fix the clock spring at no charge and make any necessary repairs to the airbag at no charge. The servicing included all new filters, all new fluids, flushing all systems, rotating tires -- a fine list of services. My T-Bird now has about 47,000 miles, so I didn't mind another round of servicing, given the specialized knowledge (theoretically) of the dealership, if the price were reasonable.

The dealership further indicated that Ford likes loyal owners, that having the servicing done at the dealership would show loyalty, and that the loyalty would be rewarded if in the future I had serious problems. The dealership and Ford would be more willing to cover a new transmission under an elective warranty fix, for example, if I showed my loyalty.

So I trusted the dearlership and had the repair done. Of course, the repair took an extra day and they neglected to deduct the $95 diagnostic fee, which I brought to their attention. But as far as I know the work was completed.

HOWEVER, today I received a call back from another Ford dealership I contacted prior to my repair. Their estimate for the clock spring? Not the $580 estimated by my dealership. Instead, it was FOUR HUNDRED DOLLARS less. The estimate was about $200, just like the non-Ford repair shops. So I called five additional Ford dearlerships. Each one quoted a parts-and-labor cost of between $200 and $250!!

I am shocked and mortified by the dishonesty of the dealership. I am equally shocked by their gall at overcharging me even after I brought the concern to their attention, even after advising them I am an attorney.

Naturally, I have a call in to all levels of management above the service department. Any suggestions about what would be a fair settlement and what further action you recommend would be appreciated.

[scriv]

had my 05 since new and never had a similar problem. maybe it's like my thumper. we are just lucky.

[tony millholen]

My steering wheel controls went out twice but both times it was under warr. It had a mind of it's own. I have a 2005 cashmere with 15,000 miles. These cars have alot of bugs in them. But there pretty.....tbirdt

[George]

Tony, just curious as to what the fix was for your controls, based upon what the work order said the fix was.
This is the type of info (issue, fix and part number/description of parts) that may help others at a later date -Our cars are getting older and out of warranty, so this info could help some that may be "do-it-yourself'ers"

[Thelma04]

Originally Posted by Sophia

My steering wheel has started to make a faint squeeking sound when I turn it. If the radio is off you can hear it. My dealer said it won't hurt anything if I leave it that way. if I get tired of hearing it they can replace something. I think it was something like a dry seal, not sure, but whatever it was it wasn't cheap. I have 18,000 miles on my 2003.

Anyone else hearing this noise?

I hear a sqeaking noise everytime I turn the wheel and they tell me its nothing, also,,,though I'm losing faith in my local Ford dealership. They only had one new Tbird in all 4 years. No one here knows anything about them

[George]

Thelma04:
Open up page one of this thread and go to post #14. I had posted there a Ford Tech Service Bulletin, TSB 04-10-1, related to steering squeeks on 2003 & 2004 TBirds. Print that and take it to your dealer, who should have looked it up to begin with.

By the way, if you are unhappy with your Ford dealer and there is a Lincoln dealer close by, your entire drive train on the TBird is Lincoln LS. So the Lincoln dealer should be more familiar with that portion of the car.

[George]

Thelma04:
Open up page one of this thread and go to post #14. I had posted there a Ford Tech Service Bulletin, TSB 04-10-1, related to steering squeeks on 2003 & 2004 TBirds. Print that and take it to your dealer, who should have looked it up to begin with.

By the way, if you are unhappy with your Ford dealer and there is a Lincoln dealer close by, your entire drive train on the TBird is Lincoln LS. So the Lincoln dealer should be more familiar with that portion of the car.

[George]

Did a little more research and here's what I found:

A guy says, "I developed the dreaded steering wheel squeak in my '04. I cited TSB 04-10-01 to the dealer. Appears this TSB has been superseded by an 06 TSB which calls for tearing down the rack and pinion steering and replacing seals ... at a cost of $900"

And here's another that had that new TSB, "I got my 04 back from the dealer and they did the replacement of the fluids. So far it has eliminated the dreaded growl from the system. But, the work order states they followed TBS 06-05-16 and the Warranty covered it. I was very happy with the service they provided."

Sorry I do not have a copy of the new TSB, but all dealers should have them on their computer, so just give them the number.