Posted on 12/07/2019 12:56:06 PM PST by DUMBGRUNT
“We’d raise our hands and be told, ‘Don’t be naysayers.’ We got strange comments,” one engineer claimed. “It seemed the ship had sailed. After that, if you ask questions, you’re accused of mutiny, so you put your head down and make it work. Good people tried to make it work. But you can’t violate the laws of physics. It’s a mechanical catastrophe.”
(Excerpt) Read more at thetruthaboutcars.com ...
My first new car was a Ford, back in 1978.
Never again.
Just read a bunch of replies, most are people complaining of things that every car maker seems to have.
But this stupid dry-clutch-dual-clutch-automagic / manual transmission seems to be a supreme fustercluck. (BTW: it IS a Getrag transmission)
Not sure who was more involved in the decisions on design Getrag or Ford - But it seems clear from everything I have read that Ford knew this was junk from the word go. And then it appears they shamefully blamed their customers when the inevitable complaints and claims came rolling in.
Getrag went bankrupt after this fiasco, so there’s that.
Ford has had to go so far as to issue warnings about stock pricing because of this...it’s that big of a deal.
They had implemented the flawed transmission and any fix was going to be super expensive.”
Expensive plus a PR disaster or expensive and no PE disaster...you decide. I don’t know tranny engineering but reading the article it seems like there is a good idea in this dry clutch thing but they haven’t found it yet.
You couldn’t pay me enough to buy another Ford. My first new car was a 1980 Ford LTD and it was a total piece of junk.
Every Ford I ever bought was a mess. I bought my daughter a Mercury Mariner and it was nothing but trouble. My son’s mustang crapped out. Never. Never again.
Ford’s “better ideas”
Had Chevy Suburbans, some radiator issues and normal service over many years.
Then we went with a Ford Expedition (2002?), no serious problems for about 75k and gave it to our son.
First, the trans crapped out while he was in Colorado, we live in Illinois. After asking around, 80k and do not go too far from home, cause the trans is on its last legs.
Then he called and ask if I have changed the plugs? He is getting a sparkplug error code.
I said never, stop by for dinner and we’ll change them.
He said it is a MAJOR PROJECT.
I call a friend that owned two of them, he said he is just starting the first one it is a big deal!!!
And he had borrowed the ‘special tools’ if I need them!!???
The sparkplugs are made in two pieces, and sometimes the lower part remains DEEP in the cylinder head!!!
We checked and double-checked the official procedure, extreme caution, even using a torque wrench on removal, too high and the plug comes apart!
An all-day project, worked out just fine.
FORD HAD A BETTER IDEA?
Dad bought a 74 LTD used.
That was a tank but it lasted until the mid 80s.
I’ve had 2 Mercury’s a 2001 Mountaineer 5 liter which is still going with 200K miles. Plugs, wires and alternator have been biggest expense other than regular maintenance. My 2006 Grand Marquis just rolled over 106K miles with the seat belts needing replaced in the front being it’s biggest issue. Good luck so far!
My daughters fiancé had a Hyuandi Veloster which is having this clutch issue. He will be accelerating from 2nd to 3rd gear and just loses power. Hyundai says it’s normal. I suggested when he can trade without a loss on this turd to dump it, that tranny will crap out soon.
Thanks!
That was fun to watch, frightening, but fun from a safe distance.
And the front turn signal workaround was a joy to behold!.
Maybe I’m just lucky. My 2004 Chevy Silverado Crewcab is prolly 2nd or 3rd level, not sure. It has 140,000 miles on it and has never had xmission trouble.
Bmk
My 2008 Ford Edge has 149,000 miles on it. Excepting wear items, like brake pads and wiper blades, I’ve had to replace a radiator and a transmission seal in the 11 years I’ve owned it. Overall it’s been a very good vehicle and I’ve been very pleased with it.
Went with my granddaughter for her test drive of a Ford Focus that would be her first car...Tried the highway...
Made it back to the dealer but just barely...Trans didn’t want to shift...Salesman promised “we will fix it”...Walked away; no sale...
You’re right, they’re all junk. Every manufacturer has had huge expensive to fix issues. I think the parts alone for a Focus dual clutch are in the neighborhood of $2500.00, when you can buy a new clutch including flywheel for around $250.00. These stupid things make no sense to me. That said, the new F 550 diesel plow truck they just bought me is the best, most sorted, well thought out truck I’ve ever driven. The thing is amazing.
I cant see anything very special about changing the plugs in a ~2002 Expedition. Just read some threads and the owners get confused about the coverings that need to be removed and the deep recesses. All spark plugs start out as two and more parts and all threads can seize or be stripped, although this application had more problems than usual with stuck plugs and ejected plugs. Ford recommends penetrating oil be left to soak around the plugs before removal attempt. I’d be happy the special tool is available. Now my Chevy Uplander needs to have the block rotated to change plugs, that’s special!
US automakers were making junk before CAFE.
Ford did that with the aluminum head gasket warping / leaking in the mid-90s Mercury Sables, Windstars and other affected vehicles.
Their goal is to get you past warranty.
Fix Or Repair Daily
Found On Road Dead
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