Hello all,

I am new to this board and have been checking it out the last few weeks. This is a really informative board and I have learned much about these trucks during this time.

I traded in our 2004 Explorer Limited V6 on a 2005 Eddie Bauer Expedition. Man, it is a huge step up in size. This is exactly what we were looking for, size. We outgrew the Explorer in the four months we owned it. I have to say, the Expedition is a really nice vehicle. I have learned that the previous models, 2003-2004, have been plagued with the "nibbling" of the steering wheel. Well, when I took my Expedetion out on the interstate for the first time I experienced the shaking between 70-85mph. I immediately took it to the dealership and they said they did not feel anything. Of course they first told me that they could not drive over the speed limit which is 60mph here in Virginia. That is a crock of ****. Then I called them later that day and told them to go ahead and balance the tires and I will pay for it. Then, the service manger told me that the tech actually drove it between 75-80mph and did not feel anything. I think they were full of it. Apparently they have other service issues they wanted to deal with instead of my truck. The manager then tells me that my truck does not really need balancing. I told him to hold off and I will see how it does within the next couple of weeks. Frankly, I don't think I will take it back to the dealer I purchased the truck from because if they have this attitude at this point, I do not want them touching my truck.
It is a shame when a customer buys a $49,000 truck and the dealer cannot do a simple balancing, especially when they know they have had issues with the Continental tires. Anway, I will see if the "nibble" persists. We bought this truck because we do allot of interstate traveling and pack many things. It will get annoying if I have to deal with the nibble when I am traveling 80mph for long periods.

Also, my wife claims that our Expedition sounds like a diesel (knocking sound) when she is standing next to the passengers side door as it is idling. I do not know what these trucks are supposed to sound like. Our explorer, with the V6, was much quieter when it was idling. You would think it would be the other way around. I asked the dealer about this and they said that was a normal sound for this SUV.

Again, great info on this board and I will keep you up-to-date on what happens.

Cheers,

Michel

 

Welcome to the site... glad you decided to join!

Sounds to me like your dealer is full of "it". The 5.4L is a very quiet engine and I'd be concerned about any knocking sounds.

 

Hi everyone, I am also new to this forum and I'm enjoying it. I have a 99 EB and within the first two weeks my gas pump went out on it twice thank god the dealer replaced it for free, since I bought used and "as is". Other than that I love my truck.

 

Did you buy it from Cowles?? When I bought mine, I was low balled on my trade because the appraiser didn't know the diffeence between HO and SO for my diesel, when I looked at a new SD it had the tow command but no hitch and I asked my salesman about it he said, "it has a brake controller on it????". It is only one of the biggest options to come out in 05. They just didn't seem to have a real understanding of Ford products. I can only imagine how bad the service dept. could be.

I also have the nibble, so don't feel alone. My dealer admits the vibration but says if it was his, he wouldn't worry about it. 6 new tires, 2 road force balances, and now he says the only thing to fix it is Michelins. I feel your pain.

Dave

 

AAAAALOOOOOHHHHA!

Welcome mmm635 & italstallion2!

 

We moved to Springfield not to long ago and just happened to chose Ted Britt Ford since it is not too far away. The sales dep. is really good o deal with, namely our sales agent. We were happy with the purchase of our Explorer, but we never had to take it in for service. So, I never got to experience what the service dep. was like until we purchased the Expedition.

Even our sales agent seems to have a problem with the service and prep department. I am going to ask around and find out which dealers have the better service departments and take it from there. If there is a prblem, then I would lke to nip it in the bud. I am atleast fortunate to have taken it in and generated a service ticket with my concerns on the third day of ownership. This will help to back up my case of these problems in the future if the problems still exist.

After reading the many probems people on this message board have had with these tires, I cannnot understand why Ford still uses these tires. Morevoer, I don't understand why the service dep. basically turns their head when this issue pops up. It is easy for a service manager to say he "admits the vibration but says if it was his, he wouldn't worry about it." When the vehicle is not his and has no investment in it, it is easy to not acknowledge a problem since he does not have to drive it everyday.

The service dep. is fighting this off from the beginning and won't even attempt to check the tires or rims for defects. I think this is a silly way of doing business.

I will be taking it in to another dealer soon, and will keep you posted as to what happens with the nibble and the diesel sound.

Michel

 

Michael,

I am going through the same prolbem... I took my Expy into the shop today, and was talking with the service writer about the nibble. He was a different service writer than usual, the other was on vacation. He told me that there was no way for them to do anything about the problem because they are not supposed to drive over the speed limit. So I asked him "why in the hell have you wasted my time 6 times in the shop already" I was so ****ed I left.

I have another appointment at another dealer, though they said they couldn't drive over 70 either.. I think this is a problem Ford knows about, and the remedy is that if they don't drive over 70, there is no problem.

I am going to dirve the service mechanic around, hold him hostage, until he admits there is a problem!

Cheers,
David

 

David,

Don't hold him hostage, but DO take him for a ride to show him the problems. No one says that you can't drive the speed you need to show him.

Dave

P.S. My dealer said that they would drive it like they stole it, if they have to.

 

I was figuratively speaking. The thing is I have taken two Service Writers and One Service Manager for a ride, all three verified the problem, but when it was time to fix it the Mechanic wouldn't go over the speed limit, would report there was no problem, and the service manger and writers would then say the same.

 

If the service mgrs. and writers have admitted the problem, make sure they note the admission. It needs to be in the records. If push came to shove, I would be willing to bet the same people would gain amnesia to what they admitted to.


Dave

 

David,

When I was dealing with the service manger, he did say that he would allow a tech to ride in the truck with me while I broke the speed limit.

I contacted my sales agent and he was ****ed about what happened. The way he looks at it, I bought a $44,000 Explorer 4 months ago and a $49,000 Expedition last week. he also knows that my wife and I will be purchasing a Mustang GT Conver. in the future. So, he wants to keep our business. he told me to discuss the matter with the customer relations rep. I am going to speak with the customer relation rep at the dealership because she tends to hold a bunch of weight. She has a really good relationship with the owner and will be able to do something about the inept service dep. I will see if she can resolve this issue before I attempt to go to another dealership.

Michel