2003 FX4 advice
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2003 FX4 advice
Hello, This is my first post here, I am new and I am looking for some advice.
I have a 2003 FX4 which has about 165000 kms on it.
My question is 3 months ago I took it into my local dealership. I had to get some work done (new clutch packs in rear end, brakes and abs module (they were able to open it up and fix the wiring). Before I did the work (which was about $2500) I asked them to check it over and see if there was anything else going on that they could see. Seeing as it is a 2003, I though it might be time to trade if there was much more wrong. They looked it over and said that I also need new stabilizer linkage but everything else looked good. I did all the repairs.
Yesterday I took my truck into the same dealership for an oil change. They came out and told me that all 4 tie-rods were loss and both lower ball joints, around $1000 to fix. My question is should this not have been caught when they replaced the stabilizer linkage 3 months ago?
Any advise would be greatly appreciated.
Many Thanks
I have a 2003 FX4 which has about 165000 kms on it.
My question is 3 months ago I took it into my local dealership. I had to get some work done (new clutch packs in rear end, brakes and abs module (they were able to open it up and fix the wiring). Before I did the work (which was about $2500) I asked them to check it over and see if there was anything else going on that they could see. Seeing as it is a 2003, I though it might be time to trade if there was much more wrong. They looked it over and said that I also need new stabilizer linkage but everything else looked good. I did all the repairs.
Yesterday I took my truck into the same dealership for an oil change. They came out and told me that all 4 tie-rods were loss and both lower ball joints, around $1000 to fix. My question is should this not have been caught when they replaced the stabilizer linkage 3 months ago?
Any advise would be greatly appreciated.
Many Thanks
Senior User
Joined: May 2007
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From: Kingston Springs tn
It depends on what you've done to your truck since then. Larger tires or off roading would cause that to happen that soon possibly. But under normal driving conditions it should have been present before when they previously checked it. I changed upper and lower ball joints and outer tie rod ends for about 175 I believe. I did the work myself,much cheaper but afterwards will need an alignment badly. If you see uneven tire year or excessive steering play then the issues they diagnosed are correct. If you look under your truck and see any busted boots on your ball joints. Change them. But I think 1000 bucks is about 500 too much Imo.
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Thank You TheProfessorofTOOL for the advice. I have done nothing to the truck except drive it on the highway the last 3 months. I though that it should have been caught, but was unsure. I have taken my truck there for some time, but over the last few months the service has just not been as good (new people maybe).
I will try a few different shops for price, $1000 seemed a bit high, and look if I can see any busted boots on my ball joints or any other indications.
Again Many Thanks
I will try a few different shops for price, $1000 seemed a bit high, and look if I can see any busted boots on my ball joints or any other indications.
Again Many Thanks
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,781
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From: WEWAHITCHKA FL.
I work on my old fords 51's but when it comes to my 03 fx4 i havn't a clue. I just had a new motor put in mine. I checked around and the FORD dealership was my choice. They stand by there work !!!!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,354
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From: Winnipeg
Not all the pieces you described would wear out at the same time in 3 months. Either the first mechanic missed diagnosed or the second oil changing person is correct or out to make money. You could take your two bill's and to talk to the service manager and ask him to explain the two different opinions. You could also get a second opinion from another shop.
If your mechanically inclined you can lie on the ground close to the steering linkage. Have someone move the steering wheel slowly back and forth about 4" and you watch to see if any of the tie-rod ***** studs move side to side or up and down in their socket. No play is allowed. Only the linkage should move. That should give you some insight as to who's right. The ball-joints require lifting the vehicle to check.
If your mechanically inclined you can lie on the ground close to the steering linkage. Have someone move the steering wheel slowly back and forth about 4" and you watch to see if any of the tie-rod ***** studs move side to side or up and down in their socket. No play is allowed. Only the linkage should move. That should give you some insight as to who's right. The ball-joints require lifting the vehicle to check.
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