Hard to beleive
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Hard to beleive
Ok, here's the story. I have a 2001 Ranger with 42,000 miles on it. I have been hearing this loud rumbling/moaning noise coming front my front driver side wheel area. It only makes the sound at about 15 mph (mostly when turning right, but also does it when braking). So I took it to the dealer to have it looked at, thinking it was a wheel bearing, but they told me all it was is tire noise. They said they noticed "slight feathering" of the tires. My tires do not even have 3,000 miles on them. I recently had my alignment checked (within the last 2 months), and everything was to spec. I find this hard to beleive, that even though everything is aligned, my tires are wearing this fast. Is what they are saying possible? Or should I get a second opinion?
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So anyway, I took my truck to a tire place to have it aligned, tires rotated and balanced. I waited about 20 minutes and the service guy came in and told me that my ball ball joints (on the left side, the side I hear the noise from) were very loose. I'm calling that stupid dealership on Monday and ask who's truck they were looking at, because it sure as heck wasn't mine. Tire noise...either they were lying, or they are just plain incompetent. Ok, I'm done now.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Connecticut
It is frustrating when you are trying to get something repaired, even willing to cough up some dough to do it, and yet the professionals can't agree on what the problem is. 
But before you call up the dealership and blast them, make sure the ball joints are indeed loose. It seems to me that a ball joint problem would have been just as noticeable when the first alignment was done a few months ago, and yet nothing was mentioned to you at that time, either.
But before you call up the dealership and blast them, make sure the ball joints are indeed loose. It seems to me that a ball joint problem would have been just as noticeable when the first alignment was done a few months ago, and yet nothing was mentioned to you at that time, either.
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Good point Rockledge. I did verify today that the ball joints were loose. I just may forget about THIS dealer and take it to another. I have asked some co-workers who have Fords and they have recommended a dealer. It is not too far away from home, so I just may take it there. I won't tell them what the tire place said, and I'll wait and see what they say is the problem. No matter what they say, I still need the ball joints fixed. It is covered under my extended warranty, so I will definatly need to take it to a dealer.
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Does FORD reimburse the dealer for work done under warranty? Is a warranty a dealership thing only? If so, is it really an issue of the dealer making more money for none warranty work and therefore dismissing work that they will not make much money at?
Is it really the dealer, the mechanic or FORD?
Is it really the dealer, the mechanic or FORD?
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From what I understand, the dealer makes more (about twice as much) on customer pay than they do on warranty work. There are SOME independant shops that do warranty work, but I find it much easier (easier? yea...right) to go through the dealer. At least in past situations it has been. I will keep y'all posted. Thanks for your input.
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Well, I got smart and took the truck to the dealer where I bought it from. I took a ride with one of the mechanics. He said it sounded like tire noise. I told them to look the whole front end over. I got a call today, they told me they replaced the upper ball joint on the drivers side. My ESP covered it, so I am only out the $50 for the deductible. The loose ball joint was causing excessive wear on the tire, therefore, the tire noise.