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Factory Winch issues..

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Old Jan 18, 2022 | 11:48 PM
  #1  
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Angry Factory Winch issues..

Took my truck in because the Cruise/Radar sensor kept faulting out or would trigger from cars in the right lane. Got a call from the dealer that I took it too, and they asked if I had used the winch, I told them that I had. I was up a cabin that had a lot of snow around it and got stuck a couple of times. I also had to winch my buddy out too, because he got stuck with his F350 and Snowmobile Trailer. They said it looks like the Winch bracket got bent, which also has the Radar Sensor mounted to it and miss aligned the Sensor. I said I don't see how it got bent, its a 12,000lb winch, and I no way put that much load on it. I'm mean if it can't winch the truck what the hell is it good for?! The service advisor called me back, and said Ford says it's a bolt on accessory, and not covered under the truck warranty. He said that I should talk to the dealer I bought it from or try Warn.

Anyone else with a Winch have any issues? Not very happy right now, the only thing I can think of is a defective part or it was installed incorrectly. I ordered the Winch with the Truck, it even shows on my window sticker, you would think Ford would want to stand behind it.
 
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Old Jan 19, 2022 | 06:12 AM
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So a bolt on part failed, but their factory part is bolted to the bolt on part which means it's relying on the integrity of the bolt on part for it to function as intended... I'd ask what the radar thing is mounted to if the truck doesn't have a winch.
 
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Old Jan 19, 2022 | 08:12 AM
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Thats B/s if its on the window sticker and a option on the build list installed by a ford dealership then ford has an obligation to warranty it . I think i would be making a call directly to ford .
 
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Old Jan 19, 2022 | 08:30 AM
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Sounds like they're calling it abuse and not wanting to warranty it. I'd try a different dealer.
 
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Old Jan 19, 2022 | 11:42 AM
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just be careful, your or your buddies truck may not weigh 10K, but when you add slope and resistance you can go over or nearly close to 12K. I would not be as forthcoming with the above information.
 
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Old Jan 19, 2022 | 11:56 AM
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As others have stated I would call Ford directly and complain and get a case number.

If it is a Ford option and dealer installed prior to delivery it’s part of the warranty.

I’ve used the winch multiple times and the bracket that is flexing is not the main structure supporting the winch it is the fairlead mounting bracket. I’ve noticed it flexes under lateral or vertical loads on the fairlead.

I don’t have the sensor so has not caused any issues. I would just pop off the plastic covers and see if you can see the issue. May just need a new bracket if you damaged extensively.





 
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Old Jan 20, 2022 | 09:47 AM
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I've done a few off-angle recoveries with my Mile Marker winch and winch mount. It had zero problems. I do try to use a ****** block to minimize the angle, but sometimes there's nothing to use the ****** block on.

It sounds like Ford doesn't have a strong enough support structure for the winch. Unless there is a separate warranty for the winch, I would expect it to fall within the 3/36 warranty.
 
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Old Jan 20, 2022 | 10:37 AM
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Originally Posted by HRTKD
I've done a few off-angle recoveries with my Mile Marker winch and winch mount. It had zero problems. I do try to use a ****** block to minimize the angle, but sometimes there's nothing to use the ****** block on.

It sounds like Ford doesn't have a strong enough support structure for the winch. Unless there is a separate warranty for the winch, I would expect it to fall within the 3/36 warranty.
i agree, if ford or the dealer installed a FORD offered accessory, unless it was blatantly abused they should be handling the repair under 3/36
make a stink, call ford and get the ball rolling.
 
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Old Jan 20, 2022 | 10:54 AM
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Originally Posted by DEW34
Thats B/s if its on the window sticker and a option on the build list installed by a ford dealership then ford has an obligation to warranty it . I think i would be making a call directly to ford .
Agreed. Don't bother with another dealership, call Ford Customer Service. 800-392-FORD
 
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Old Jan 20, 2022 | 10:38 PM
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So, I haven't had time to talk to the dealer yet, however I think I know what happened.. I noticed that the rope would hit something if it didn't spool just right, and after looking at some other forums I found some info that it wasn't installed correctly. If you see the "Installation Update" for the manual, it instructs to use new bolts for the Spoiler, because the old ones would hit the rope. I checked, mine still has the old bolts installed, not the newer flat head ones. I think the rope got bound up, and it bent that front bracket (Which is for sure tweaked, or maybe more..

2020_CMY_SUPER_DUTY_TREMOR_WARN_WINCH.PDF (ford.com)




I will be asking for a new bracket/brackets, and new rope. I don't see how they can argue with that.

If you have a factory Winch, make sure you check that it has the correct bolts installed!!!!!!!
 
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Old Jan 21, 2022 | 12:51 AM
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They call the 3/36000 a “bumper to bumper”, and it seems to me like the winch is between the two bumpers.
 
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