I'M IN SHOCK

[REDBIRDSC]

Re: I'M IN SHOCK

I don't know what the wheel bearings would have to do with power delivery. I cut the car off, put it in neutral and let it roll down a hill.

Still makes the noise as the rear drivers side wheel turns.

It kind of sounds like squeeky box springs on an old mattress and it gets faster as the car goes faster.

[428QBird]

Re: I'M IN SHOCK

The dealer has an option to cover you with a one time off warranty fix. This has been done for me on my 99 F350, my 2001 F350, my Navigator and my 2004 PCR...

I would think that your service manager would have talked to you about this. I have had more than $2k worth of work done at one time and only seen a $100 bill. If this dealer is not willing to help you, you could call Ford. While I have not seen all of the problems outlined here on TBN with my 2004 I have seen some. My PCR has not seen the COPS issue yet, but when it does I'll be looking to MSD or ACCEL for an aftermarket solution.

Rick

[00mustng]

Re: I'M IN SHOCK

.....going in next week as the air bag icon comes on...be interesting to see what the diagnostic fee will be...and the fix....

[redbirdsal]

Re: I'M IN SHOCK

On the sound in the rear wheel, have them check the stabilizing links. We put my Bird on a lift and physically bounced the rear. We could hear it loud and clear, and it was easy to isolate the problem area.

They replaced both sides, and it was covered under the original warranty.

You'll find a lot of previous posts if you use the "search" button at the top of this page. Just click on "search" and enter "rear noise" in the dropdown box.

[LBPatt]

Re: I'M IN SHOCK

Since Ford can't sell a whole car, they will try to sell you a car one piece at a time.

+1 on getting a second opinion !!!

And, if you let Ford do it, be sure you get kissed...

[jettbird]

Re: I'M IN SHOCK

I also had the torsion bar link pins replaced under warranty at 19,000 miles on my 03 bird. The car made a clunking sound when going over speed bumps or out of my driveway. This problem got fixed before my wheel bearings went out. The bearings make a loud humming sound that progressively gets worse the longer it goes on. I didn't use the dealer for repairs and it still ended up costing me $1400 bucks. If I had it to do over again, I would take it to my dealer.

Have a great day,

Jim (jettbird

[MerlotBlue]

Re: I'M IN SHOCK

I'm not familiar with the rear bearings on our cars yet. (hopefully it will be awhile before I am)

I can tell you from experience with older Corvettes, they also have sealed bearings, that these are a BEAR to change out. It's actually much easier to just replace the entire assembly and as a result of that thought I'm gonna go out on a limb and say I bet that's what they do and the reason for the big repair bill. Either way though, the big dollar replacement doesn't shock me in the least.

Sadly, if you're hearing the noise your probably in need of replacement soon.

Cops are the easier problem.

I'm now of the opinion that anyone who owns a Retro-Bird really needs to familiarize themselves with this nagging little problem.

A scan tool can be purchased for under $100.......and even if no codes read yet you could "hit and miss" the problem by replacing coils 4 at a time for approximately $160 and one hour worth of effort.

I do sympathize though.

New cars SUCK when it comes to repairs.

Seems like nothing is inexpensive to fix anymore.

[Leroy]

Re: I'M IN SHOCK

Are wheel bearings covered under the factory warranty?
Leroy

[marjo1966]

Re: I'M IN SHOCK

Took my Bird in today for an oil change, intermittent check engine light and a wheel noise from the rear wheel.

Keep in mind she purrs like a kitten and drives great !

Lincoln dealer says three COPS are "going bad". He recommends replacement of those, eight spark plugs and an induction cleaning- $719 !!

The rear noise is the bearings "going bad" -- $1,418 !!

This is hard for me to believe considering how well the car drives.

Anybody smell anything funny here ?

[marjo1966]

Re: I'M IN SHOCK

wow, that is not fun- I have had mine in and out of the Ford Dealership for two weeks- transmission issues and a vibration at 40 mph they cannot locate. I am suprised these beautiful Thunderbirds have issues.

[marjo1966]

Re: I'M IN SHOCK

so forgive this question, but what is "COPS"? is this the coil issue I have hear alot about, and if so, how can you tell if your Thunderbird has these issues?

[lmartun]

Re: I'M IN SHOCK

Scary stuff to read. No issues as of yet on my 05, but I did get Ford's Premium Care warranty, which will cover everything up to April 2012.

[Jim Young]

Re: I'M IN SHOCK

have changed my "stabilizing links" once, and a new set is on order (under warranty) ... that takes care of the clunking sound. the bearing sound could be a brake pad draging on the disk, might check that
Jim

[whvt01]

Re: I'M IN SHOCK

This COPS issue, has it come up more on cars with mileage or
one during a certain year. Our 02 is around 5,800 miles.
Didnt know if this is something that just crops up regardless of
useage.

[MATBird]

Re: I'M IN SHOCK

wow, that is not fun- I have had mine in and out of the Ford Dealership for two weeks- transmission issues and a vibration at 40 mph they cannot locate. I am suprised these beautiful Thunderbirds have issues.

Major. Using the search function above, there are some threads on Transmission issues and possibly TSB's Tech service bulletins."
"so forgive this question, but what is "COPS"? is this the coil issue I have hear alot about, and if so, how can you tell if your Thunderbird has these issues?"
Coils-on-plugs. Plenty on this available