Center drive shaft bearing help

[alcohenusa]

Phil,

Sorry to bother you again but I'm looking for a bit of advice. My 2020 Ford Ranger has now been parked for over 2 months (since the middle of October) as the center bearing noise is simply too loud to drive the truck. Anything over 10 mph and the noise gets a lot of attention . Anyway, I've seemingly hit a dead end in terms of replacement parts. Initial assurances that an ETA and ship date of early December would occur have come and gone with no indications of any ETA available. I've checked with a separate dealer to verify, and they indicate that the ETA for the driveline assembly is now 00/0000 . Although 3 dealers in the US have the necessary parts, none are willing to sell those parts. I've also been in contact with a corporate Truck Division customer support rep and her interactions have largely been with the local dealer. My hope was that the corporate support rep could communicate up the Ford management chain and expedite delivery from Ford (which was initially indicated would happen) but now I'm all hearing are crickets from corporate (not responding to my most recent emails requesting delivery updates). So, now I'm at a loss of how to proceed. I've been patient and polite and appreciative of all the support I've received but so far nothing has occurred that would reassure me that any progress is being made. I've driven Ford trucks for over 30 years and have never experienced this type of situation. In your experience and opinion, is this an issue with Ford's sub-contractors and the coronavirus situation or are we talking about a systemic issue with the driveline that is forcing a redesign and remanufacture of that assembly, or is something else at play? And is there any recourse for owners like me other than to continue to wait and see how this plays out? I've asked about a loaner and again that request has fallen on deaf ears (Ford's warranty does not cover loaners, etc. as you're probably aware). Again, I apologize for the length of this but any insight you can provide as to what I should try next would be appreciated.

Mike

Hi Mike,

I had my Ranger for 5 days and 64 miles when a rear axle seal failed and the truck could not be driven. We were offered a loaner immediately as the parts were on backorder and not expected to ship for another week or so at best. I had taken the truck to a different dealer from where I bought it because I initially believed it was a brake fluid leak and this other dealer was very close.

I contacted Ford through their Twitter account and my case was escalated to their corporate Customer Service department. After another 4 days, my head exploded and I went to the selling dealer to tell them I wanted them to take the truck back and make it look like the transaction never occurred.

Miraculously, they found the parts in 30 minutes, had them Fedex’d to the other dealer that same day, and I got the truck back the next day.

I continued the discussion with the Ford Customer Service rep expressing my disappointment in quality and the fact that all parts seem to be prioritized for production and not repair. My point was that if they can continue to build vehicles they should be able to repair them as well.

I was looking for Ford to offer something to me like more Ford Pass points. They ended up giving me a free 5/75 Ford Protect plan (whatever the highest level is called). Eventually I will try to get credit for that plan against something longer/higher mileage.

Keep pushing them and good luck.

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[MudvilleMike]

Hi Mike,

Incredible! I am totally baffled by the poor response to your plight. I got to a friend in Truck Engineering and he told me that Covid is being blamed for everything in the supply base. He is not aware of a systemic cente bearing problem but will try to find the driveline engineer in Ranger if he can...Many folks are working off site. You are up against the holiday break too. I might suggest you ask why Customer service has not contacted National Parts Distribution, where I am almost certain there are parts available and Customer Service should be able to arrange for expedited shipping.... It appears the dealer is not aggressive. Maybe push then to make a Ranger in their lot a hanger queen and rob a complete driveshaft out of the unit to help. Seems you also have a lemon law case possibly. I wish I could help more, but being gone now for over 18 years there are only a handful of contacts I have left. I have one more bullet in my gun...She is retiring on Dec 23. I will see if I can email her for a suggestion. No promises but will see what happens...she is in a senior role in Chassis Purchasing and this is a powertrain part...Sigh!

best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

Thanks again Phil. Yes, initially Corporate Truck Division Customer Service indicated that they could arrange expedited shipping but ultimately those ship dates and shipments simply did not get met/made. It just seems that there are no parts available or available in such small quantities that the demand can't ever be met. The local dealer seems frustrated as well. I'll just have to push harder after the holidays but if you get any inside info I'd be glad to hear it. Take care, Mike.

 

[MudvilleMike]

Mike,
I called Ford Customer Care line every two weeks and the dealership every week. Ford allows dealers 2500 miles per loaner vehicle. Since I drive 1000 per week I think that helped on the dealer side of things. I told Ford I wanted to start buyback procedures due to inevitability of parts to repair my vehicle. Just keep the pressure on both of them. The entire driveshaft assembly will appear out of no where.

Good information Jeremy. Thanks again for the suggestions. I'll give it another go next week.

 

[P. A. Schilke]

Hi Mike,

Incredible! I am totally baffled by the poor response to your plight. I got to a friend in Truck Engineering and he told me that Covid is being blamed for everything in the supply base. He is not aware of a systemic cente bearing problem but will try to find the driveline engineer in Ranger if he can...Many folks are working off site. You are up against the holiday break too. I might suggest you ask why Customer service has not contacted National Parts Distribution, where I am almost certain there are parts available and Customer Service should be able to arrange for expedited shipping.... It appears the dealer is not aggressive. Maybe push then to make a Ranger in their lot a hanger queen and rob a complete driveshaft out of the unit to help. Seems you also have a lemon law case possibly. I wish I could help more, but being gone now for over 18 years there are only a handful of contacts I have left. I have one more bullet in my gun...She is retiring on Dec 23. I will see if I can email her for a suggestion. No promises but will see what happens...she is in a senior role in Chassis Purchasing and this is a powertrain part...Sigh!

best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

Hi Mike,

Okay...heard back from my friend on her last with Ford. She could make no headway with several phone calls. She indicated that in her experience it is likely a hold up at the supplier, in this case Dana. Sorry I cannot help more...

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

 

[Cape Cruiser]

Hi Mike,

Okay...heard back from my friend on her last with Ford. She could make no headway with several phone calls. She indicated that in her experience it is likely a hold up at the supplier, in this case Dana. Sorry I cannot help more...

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

Phil, there is a guy on here (frog) that works at Dana and knows about the driveshafts. I think you and him could have a good conversation. He said there is an improved version now. I dont know how to link to it but its under new members. Bret

 

[P. A. Schilke]

Phil, there is a guy on here (frog) that works at Dana and knows about the driveshafts. I think you and him could have a good conversation. He said there is an improved version now. I dont know how to link to it but its under new members. Bret

Hi Bret,

Yes! I would like to understand this "improved" driveline. Why there seems to be a parts shortage of center bearings. Why there is a slight index on the rear u joint. Picture is somewhat muddied by the Austrailian lead on the Ranger including our North American Ranger. Almost like trying to make it through an obstacle course to find the right person which with to chat.

Merry Christmas
Phil

 

[jerardisflossin]

I too would like more information on this new driveshaft. I am having vibration issues that I solely relate to the DS and the dealer is being an absolute asshole about it.

 

[that408guy]

I am currently having this exact same issue with my 2020 Lariat, 4500 miles. I thought it was a belt issue at first making the noise. Noise seems to only happen with a cold vehicle and the rubbing noise would speed up if I hit the gas or slow down and go away when I braked to a stop. Today my dealership said it was the carrier bearing. I get no vibration issues though.

 

[jhowell9618]

My truck is doing this also. It squeals/screeches for 5-20 seconds when driving away on cold mornings. It’s been doing it since November. It’s at the dealer currently, they said it was a support bearing for the driveshaft. Hopefully they can fix it in a reasonable time. 2020 XLT SuperCab FX4. 8000 miles. This has been my only issue with it so far.
Edit: They also had another 2020 Ranger in the shop with the same issue.

 

[P. A. Schilke]

My truck is doing this also. It squeals/screeches for 5-20 seconds when driving away on cold mornings. It’s been doing it since November. It’s at the dealer currently, they said it was a support bearing for the driveshaft. Hopefully they can fix it in a reasonable time. 2020 XLT SuperCab FX4. 8000 miles. This has been my only issue with it so far.
Edit: They also had another 2020 Ranger in the shop with the same issue.

Hi Joshua,

Dana and the bearing supplier need to get their act together...way too many center bearing problems. Something is wrong and needs to be corrected...not bandaid. Please open up a formal complaint with Ford Customer Care and the more folks that do will help to get Ford to force the issue on Dana... Gotta stop this poor quality crap.....

Best,
Phil

 

[jhowell9618]

Hi Joshua,

Dana and the bearing supplier need to get their act together...way too many center bearing problems. Something is wrong and needs to be corrected...not bandaid. Please open up a formal complaint with Ford Customer Care and the more folks that do will help to get Ford to force the issue on Dana... Gotta stop this poor quality crap.....

Best,
Phil

Thank you for the response, Phil. I will look into that when I get off work.

I made a video of the noise if anyone in the future wants to compare what their truck sounds like to mine.

 

[jhowell9618]

I wanted to post an update for my truck. It’s fixed now (probably). It was 29 degrees Fahrenheit this morning and there was no squealing. I dropped it off last Sunday at the dealership and just got it back yesterday. It was there for so long not because of the repair, which only took a few hours probably, but because they had several technicians out with covid. That was fine, I just drove my Focus.
They replaced the driveshaft center bearing and the center u joint since it had one time use clips or something. Here is the description paper they gave me.

Here is a picture of the thing they replaced. It’s by the fuel tank where the driveshaft assembly bends to go down to the diff.

What the service advisor said to me was that the squeal was caused by the rubber cover for the bushing rubbing against something. So it was probably fine to drive on it a while if necessary.
Other than it being there for 5 days for a not so big issue, the experience wasn’t too bad. They covered everything under warranty. Anyway, I hope this might help someone with the same issue in the future.

 

[BozyMoto]

I've waited 3 weeks for the center bearing to come. Now waiting another 4 weeks and counting for the special tool to come in. Is my dealer bullshitting me?

 

[9zero1790]

I've waited 3 weeks for the center bearing to come. Now waiting another 4 weeks and counting for the special tool to come in. Is my dealer bullshitting me?

i doubt it, i know parts are sort of in short supply. i couldnt even get an air filter at local parts places and they said try the dealer. im sure the dealer wants to get you fixed and out that way its not in the way or a problem with lemon laws etc. id bet your one of many needing the same parts. about a month ago mine was making noise and i called around to three dealers and each said at least a month...

 

[Byngsboys]

It would appear I have joined the club!

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