Major hit to confidence in my dealership

[Rp930]

At least it sounds like they are trying to make it right. Dropping off a nice loaner is a good start.

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[DasBoot]

Took the Ranger in this morning for The Works, brake fluid fush, and transmission flush. Leaving the dealership I hit mostly smooth slightly hilly roads with a speed limit of 60. I immediately noticed a minor change in handling, kinda drifty, I shrugged it off to maybe the rear tires being moved to the front needed some time to acclimate,. I also noticed a difference in how the transmission shifted. It seemed to hesitate to shift at times, and especially noticeable when it seemed like it couldn't decide if it should be in 9th or 10th gear. I stopped at a gas station and checked the trans fluid level, which according to my fitzstick was way too high, well above the desired mark. I figured maybe it wasn't hot enough, but it still seemed way too high.
My commute home is about 3/4 backroads, so the driftyness was unnoticable. What was noticable was everytime I hit the slightest bump I hear a substantial clank/rattle. WTF?
After getting home, the first thing I check was trans fluid level, which still looked too high. Wheel lug torque was spot on. So the I crawled underneath and the first thing I noticed was the whole underneath was coated in trans fluid. I also happened to notice a loose and dangling bracket. It appeared to be the front sway bar mount. Upon further inspection, of the 4 fasteners securing the sway bar, only 1 nut was still there, with less than 2 turns on the thread.
Luckily getting a hold of someone just after closing hours, they are supposed to send a tow truck tomorrow morning.

Other than warranty why would anyone go to a dealer to have work done

 

[DasBoot]

Not sure , maybe they dropped the pan to remove fluid ? I would have thought they pulled it through the dipstick tube...

There's a dipstick tube ??

 

[NotBudule2]

There's a dipstick tube ??

The OP has a Fitzstick on his I believe...

 

[VAMike]

And this is why I don't get as incensed as some over Ford not preemptively recalling transmissions--there's a very good chance that letting dealership service departments screw with them will cause more problems than it could possibly solve.

 

[got3fords]

The OP has a Fitzstick on his I believe...

Yes! Which gives them less of an excuse to overfill it.

 

[got3fords]

And this is why I don't get as incensed as some over Ford not preemptively recalling transmissions--there's a very good chance that letting dealership service departments screw with them will cause more problems than it could possibly solve.

I'll admit I was a bit hesitant to have the flush done, but I figured I'd do it while I still have a little warranty left.

 

[got3fords]

At least it sounds like they are trying to make it right. Dropping off a nice loaner is a good start.

And I am kinda liking the Bronco. Not enough to get one tho...

 

[Hickesy]

Other than warranty why would anyone go to a dealer to have work done

Zero mechanical skills, like me for example

 

[DasBoot]

Zero mechanical skills, like me for example

Local certified mechanic, probably less expensive and also a former dealership mechanic

 

[got3fords]

Picked up the Ranger today. (will kinda miss that Bronco, it was growing on me). They reattached the front sway bar with the hardware they had to order. They drained off some tranny fluid. Road tested and checked the level several times. They cleaned up underneath of oil, gave me a complete interior and exterior detail (looking good).
The first thing I checked when I walked up was the ground underneath the tranny. I knew it had been sitting for a while by the Ford Pass app. (I will not uninstall it, TJC). I saw no signs of oil.
I drove it for about 10 miles, it shifted beautifully. I stopped and check the tranny fluid level. It was a bit low. NICE! I knew it was not up to temp, but it was also not extremely low. Nothing like the 3 or 4 inches above the marks previously.
Drove another approx. 10 miles home, shifting nice. A full commute tomorrow (54'ish miles) and I will be happy.

 

[NotBudule2]

Good deal ! I'd say a nice detail job sweetens things up a bit, and hopefully some young mechanic learned to slow down a little and pay more attention when you do...
I do have a small problem with you "missing the Bronco" and "it's growing on me " crap though , wtf??? I'm not gonna go all Dr. Seuss on it though...

 

[got3fords]

I do have a small problem with you "missing the Bronco" and "it's growing on me " crap though , wtf??? I'm not gonna go all Dr. Seuss on it though...

Don't get me wrong, I am very glad to have my baby back. There were some things the Bronco left me feeling empty. But it was nice to experience what they are all about. Would never want a Bronco as my daily driver. Maybe a once-a-week driver.

 

[got3fords]

I gotta say, I am soooooo glad I had my Fitzstick! When it had shifting issues, I was able to immediately determine the trans was over-filled. And when I got it back was able to determine it was in range. Thanks #Fitzmotor!
I just wonder if the tech got confused with how to use a real dipstick.

 

[ControlNode]

I wouldn't go for the detail job that the dealer does. They did it on the RS after the clutch cylinder failed under warranty without asking and the car got covered in swirls, even in the lights. I was pissed.

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