I understand Fords logic for the way they handled it. However, my first quirt occured at about 6000 miles and the plow had never been on the truck. The reason I'm so ticked about repairing and not replacing is that I drove the truck for about 5000 miles with the low/reverse planet shaft floating around grinding away. My second beef is that it took over 2 weeks for Ford to come up with parts to repair the tranny and they could have shipped a new tranny in a couple days. I love the truck. I love the tranny.
I do wish they would have stayed with the 7.3 and put the torqueshift tranny on it but I'm not unhappy with the 6.0 other than the mileage. I live in cold country and a lot of owners are loosing injectors a lot. Ford says it because the blended fuel C-tane level is to low. So far I have used mostly #2 because I keep the truck in a heated garage and try to leave it there when it is -40. Sorry I'm so long winded.Thanks

 

Oh yeah, I asked about extending the warranty to current mileage plus 100K after the service and he said "Nice try." He then started to say, tranny is 3yr/36K and the motor is 6yr/100K is this correct?

I thought drivetrain was warrantied on the diesels.

 

I checked with my dealer today and based on my VIN number, he told me there was a recall for the transmission issue described previously. I am having no problems what so ever with 18000 miles to date. I am hesitant about having the dealer work on something that is not broken (from what I can tell). He said the "expiration" date on the "Customer Service Bulletin" was September 30, 05 which meant that if I did not have the work done prior to that date, I would have to pay for it in the future if I needed it.

Has anyone ever heard of a "recall" with an expiration date? Has anyone had this work done on the tranny? Any opinions on the subject. My service rep said that they had not done any of these recalls yet, but his transmission guy was "the best in the state" so there should be no problems.

RB

 

Got mine back 02/22 from the dealer re the tranny recall.

No problems yet!

Guess they did what they needed to do!

Two days in the shop. Free loaner.

No major complaints yet!

 

I took mine into the dealer after hearing about this customer service program on this forum. I was the first person to take it in, I had 6000 miles on my Excursion, and I hadn't had any problems at all either. I decided to have it dealt with now rather than wait for something to fall apart. On the report I got back after 2.5 days in the shop was that there was some damage to the rear planetary gear system and that 2 parts kits were installed. After another 1000 miles on the rebuilt transmission, I've had no problems or even really noticed a difference...other than I feel better for taking it in and dealing with it. Now if it does blow up, I'll have a good case for showing them that it is probably their fault.

 

How can they do that if they don't notify us?

 

Guys, please keep in mind that this is NOT a RECALL, but a TSB. A recall means that each and every different vehicle brought in must have the recalled part replaced. A TSB is far different, it is exacly what the acronym is for- nothing more, nothing less- a Tecnical Service Bulletin. This is at Ford's own discretion- just going in and saying "I want the recalled parts" will get you nowhere. In order to get the new planetary the transmission must be showing the typical symptoms of the pin walkout and/or failure.

 

True, I made sure to refer to the notice as a "Customer Satisfaction Program." I never demanded a recall or repair under a recall notice. My dealership was actually quite happy to help out, even though they had not heard of it or had anybody else in with the same concern. Their procedure was to take out the transmission, take it apart and investigate it, and then make the determination as to what part kits were needed. Evidently, if it looks like there are no problems, they only use one of the parts kits. If damage is noted, than they put in both parts kits. Their time alloted is approximately 5.5 hours for the first kit and 15 hours for the second one. I have the info they gave me, but not with me, so I can't quote the times exactly.

I guess my point is that if you go in with a good attitude and just express concern with the information you have heard, rather than storming in and demanding recall fixes and answers, you will probably get better treatment. Especially since it appears that this is new to the service departments and many of them may not have the information right in front of them at the time. We at FTE are fortunate enough to hear about this kind of stuff early on, usually before the service folks, because we are "enthusiasts" about our trucks. I really doubt the service techs go home and research these vehicles like we do for fun...

 

Well PSD ...you know I love ya man (well, like and highly respect you anyway) and I know how close you are to the source....But...
...It may not be listed as a recall hence the "Customer Satisfaction" tag....but ...it sure does smack of recall.

A rose is a rose...as the saying goes.

REASON FOR THIS PROGRAM

Some 2004 MY Excursion, Super Duty and Econoline vehicles equipped with a 5R110 TorqShift transmission may have low/reverse gear set pinion shaft(s) that may walk out, causing metallic particle contamination. If this condition were to occur, it may lead to harsh/slipping shifts and/or harsh/delayed forward/reverse engagements. If these symptoms are ignored, this could eventually lead to a transmission failure.

SERVICE ACTION

At no charge to the vehicle owner, dealers are to replace the reverse planet assembly on all of the affected vehicles. Note: If vehicles are repaired in a timely manner, secondary transmission damage can be avoided.

REPAIR OF IN-STOCK VEHICLES

Dealers should service in-stock vehicles first because these vehicles will not have secondary damage, and will not require additional repairs beyond the reverse planet replacement.

OWNER NOTIFICATION MAILING SCHEDULE

To ensure the needed supply of parts are available for dealers , owners of affected vehicles will not be notified by mail until the beginning of January, 2005. Please note that dealers should repair any affected vehicles that arrive at their dealerships, whether or not the customer has received a letter. In addition, dealers should repair in-stock units before sale to minimize future customer inconvenience.

Why notify anybody by mail just because their build dates fall in a certain window and why "fix" new trucks on the lot that suely would not show symptoms at zero + miles?

Inquiring minds would like to know.<!-- / message -->

 

The wording of that does smack of recall, as you said. This is the same broadcast message listed on the Powerstroke Central's main TSB board. For some reason, Corporate Ford and the regional service advisors have taken two totally different stances on this- when it first came out, we were all under the same impression as what you have just stated, as because the wording comes across as such. However (and I won't really go to detail here) we have been "advised" otherwise by our regional advisor, as have many other local districts in this area; not sure about nationwide but that is for around here.

I think "Corporate Ford" may be trying to attract anyone with transmission problems to get this part replaced, in an attempt to save thier own hind ends later.

The actual "physical" aspect of this is strictly a tolerance issue. The retaining pin holes that actually act as an "axle" for each gear in the planetary set apparently had a "tolerance deficiency" in design/engineering/production (from the way I understand it) and has caused the randomness of this problem. As anyone with an understanding of tolerancing will already know, this will cause some of the pins to be excessively tight and some excessively loose. The excessively loose pins can freely walk out of the holes and grind themselves against one of the bushings inside of the case (near the rear output) and disentegrate into the fluid, wreaking all forms of havoc on the clutches, line pump, ect. I'm sure whoever was responsible for this little SNAFU won't be at Ford long

 

Hmmm...sounds like a little to much minus on the tolerence spec range.

Rut ro...

 

Well, I'm glad someone see's this situation similar to the way I see it. Ford's Customer satisfaction program is a rope around Ford's neck. They knowingly and willingly put customers at risk and didn't warn us. Last month I was hunting in the mountains of Wy and I had reasonable confidence that my Ford would bring me home. No cell phone's, no traffic, no help. I got luck and my tranny quit at home. And if the problem might not affect all the mentioned vehicles then why replace the parts on all the trucks still on the lots? My dealer is as frustrated as I am. They have done everything in there power to get me back to work. I had a 2001 SRW crew cab 7.3 with the E4OD tranny and it went out in Hardin MT on a sat. I called my sales manager and traded for a 2002 at a total cost to me of $1600.00 and the new truck was delivered to me in Hardin MT from MN on Monday Morning. The dealer hauled the 2001 back and Ford REPLACED the E4OD Needless to say I've spent a little money with Ford Motor Co. Now it's time for Ford Motor Co to take care of me and the district rep won't even call me. Appearently she is way busier than me because I return all my calls.
Here's my take on my torqueshift tranny: The pin in the low/rev planetary was walking around from day one. Gradually it was grinding away and when the snow came the constant changing of directions sloshed the fluid around in the pan. The metal filings started getting stired up from the bottom of the pan and started getting pumped through the valve body. The valve body has electric selonoid valves with very close tolerances. The filings started sticking the valves hence the delay in shifting from forward to rev.
By the time I had the truck hauled back to the dealer the valves were hanging up to the point it was trying to go in high gear at start out. Now Ford is trying to tell me the cooler doesn't need to be replaced. I don't belive they can flush the filings out of the cooler but I do believe they can eventually migrate back to the valve body.
If anybody knows enough about the torqueshift to tell me I'm all wet please tell me.
I know when I get my truck back with the repaired tranny and same cooler I will not be confident it will be reliable. Will Ford's Roadside Assistance Program tow my truck and my 36' 5th wheel if I break down again?? If anybody knows please tell me.

 

I appreciate all the info on this subject. Just for the record, though, I called my serive rep and played stupid on this subject. He said "There is a RECALL on your vehicle, and I should bring it in as soon as possible." I informed him I was having no issues with the tranny and he said "That doesn't matter. Bring it in and we will "fix" it." I questioned him on why it's there and plusses and minuses of repaired trannys versu new, etc, trying to see if he would tell me just to let it go if I was having no problems, but he never did. He kept telling me it is a "RECALL" and I should bring it in ASAP.


I still wonder why there is an "expiration date." If the part fails in the future and is covered by this TSB / Recall, why should I pay for it then and it be free now? It sounds like they want everyone to do it.

 

i have a 2005 and just lost my second...yes #2, tranny at 7800 miles. both occurances were after plowing and both times i cracked the housing. tomorrow the truck will be sent to the dealer where they will fix the problem and then we will discuss future business. my first tranny was replaced with a new one but with the old defective parts still inside. hence, this is why the second one went.
good luck to all who plow with these trucks.. i hope you all have better luck than i have had.

 

Holly smokes... I am in awe!!! My 04 DRW CC TS broke 2 weeks ago. Slips very bad. And R was screwing up too. Gesh and one of the FORD technicians said it was bullet proof when i bought this truck.

Now I was thinking of trading it in for an 05 year, but I may NOT now!!! I think I will get a CUmmins.. No offense guys.. TOO MUCH HEADACHE!!!

The Cummins with the NV5600 sounds good. I run a race car team and wouldn't want to tow thousands and/or hundreds of miles and something goes wrong on the underengineered 6.0PSD and TS. This is the worst I've ever seen of Diesels maybe comparable to the HeadGasket dilemma with the 6.5L diesel Chevy/GMC. Ford needs to improve the 7.3L PSD and reuse it... maybe then I'll consider it only with a 6speed... no more auto for me PERIOD!!! why because Ford comes out with a tranny and says it's awesome and strong as ever. dodge comes out with one and says its cool and the very best. GMC uses a cool Allison and say it's the bomb and it really out shines the competition. ALL OF THESE AUTOS have problem w/o a doubt.. You guys can't deny it... I've also have had problems with INJ, OIL leak(dealer can't find where it is), and other misc problems........with this 04 6.0L PSD. What has this engine and now the TS tranny gone to??? I am not taking a chance this time around with the 6PSD and the TS tranny.... I will find a replacement truck.. IF Ford wants me and many others as a loyal customer they better reengineer their S/D trucks!!!! I miss my older 01 7.3L PSD...