Anyone having rack-pinon noises?

[WS6HUMMER]

When I first bought the car it was making a very noticable noise through the steering column. I did some research and found the TSB about the rack-pinion and that this was actually what seemed like the noise coming from the steering column. Took it in to the dealer at 43k miles and asked for it to be fixed so they drained the power steering fluid, refilled it and added the friction modifier. Got the car back and it still makes the noise but not nearly as bad and only after an hour or so of driving.

Took it back to the dealer for this problem because I'm approaching the end of the warranty period and dont want to get stuck with replacing a rack-pinion out of my own pocket. Its been back 3 times since for this and the dealership swears they cant duplicate the symptoms. This prompted me to call the lincoln customer support 800# and complain. They baisically wasted my time and told me that my warranty is up. The car currently has 46k miles, I was told the car had a 5yr 50k warranty but the lincoln rep says no 3yr 36k.
Apparently they havent told the dealership because they think the warranty period is the same as I do.

I'm so upset, I have only put 1700 miles on this car and already its had the following parts replaced and spent a total of 6 WEEKS @ the dealership!

.New headliner (took it back 4 times for this problem and 2 of the times the headliner was sagging still when I went to pick it up. On another occaision the seatbelts didnt recoil because of their mechanichs improperly replacing the B-pillar trim)

.New RH upper control arm

.New console lid/armrest

.New ash tray door

.New wiper/multifunction switch

.New RH rear window regulator

.New valve cover gaskets and seals

.New LH valve cover gasket again (because the dealership screwed up and pinched the first one and the car started pouring oil on the exhauset system about a week after I got it back)

I am so upset over all the trouble Lincoln has put me through, I had to miss all kinds of work because of these Idiots, tow the car twice, and about 10 or 11 trips across town to the dealership. And they wouldnt even give me a loaner car. Seriously thinking about a law suit!!!! Or am I just too frusterated? :shifty:

 

[Smokey]

Mine too had the noise in the steering. I simply took the advise of another member on LVC and removed some of the PS fluid, put in some of the friction modifier. It took almost 3 weeks to completely quit down, but it has been quite now for almost 5K miles. Much easier than I tought it would be. A word of caution, DO NOT spill that stuff on anything. It stinks like a mad skunk.

The base warranty on my '03 is 48m/50K miles. Mine also has the CPO 6yr/75K warranty as well.

 

[PaulJK]

The first thing I'd do was go through all your paperwork and find out what the documented warranty is. Somewhere the warranty is spelled out in writing, then you'll know exactly what you're dealing with. if you can't find it, try the lincoln.com website for something that shows the warranty.

You could go to another dealer and have it fixed. If they won't warranty it, pay for it then take them to small claims court for the costs. The first time you took it in, you should have something describing the problem with a date and vehicle mileage - this can prove that the problem occurred and you tried to have it fixed before the warranty had expired. Seems to me you'd have a very good chance of getting your money back, but unfortunately it will take more effort and time than it should.

i'd never go back to a dealer that treats me bad, but here in los angeles, there are many to choose from, no matter what kind of car you have (bad news is = most of them suck anyway )

The thing that Really pi$$es me off with car dealers = they will spend thousands and tens of thousands of dollars per MONTH trying to win new customers, but won't spend a SMALL fraction of that to take of the customers they already have !

Much luck to you, but don't feel bad becuase we've all been there ....

 

[SoonerLS]

I don't know who told you the 3/36 number, but the factory bumper-to-bumper warranty on all US Lincoln LSes is 4 years or 50,000 miles (whichever comes first). You don't say what year your LS is, so it's possible that the clock is about to expire (or already has); you need to find out what your car's "in service" date is (the dealer should be able to look it up), because the warranty expires four years from that date, regardless of mileage.

If you have the steering rack problem documented, they should still cover it even after the warranty expires. This coverage doesn't last forever, and I think it's really up to Lincoln as to how long it lasts, but there is (normally) some coverage of documented problems after the warranty expiration.

If you're still under the factory 4/50 warranty, you are eligible to buy a Ford ESP warranty. It sounds like you might benefit from one...

 

[2001LS8Sport]

If you're still under the factory 4/50 warranty, you are eligible to buy a Ford ESP warranty. It sounds like you might benefit from one...

That is EXCELLENT advice! And I believe you can still get it if your warranty has expired. I know I got it that way on an Expedition I used to have. Check with Ford and find out for sure what you're options are.

 

[WS6HUMMER]

I don't know who told you the 3/36 number, but the factory bumper-to-bumper warranty on all US Lincoln LSes is 4 years or 50,000 miles (whichever comes first). You don't say what year your LS is, so it's possible that the clock is about to expire (or already has); you need to find out what your car's "in service" date is (the dealer should be able to look it up), because the warranty expires four years from that date, regardless of mileage.

If you have the steering rack problem documented, they should still cover it even after the warranty expires. This coverage doesn't last forever, and I think it's really up to Lincoln as to how long it lasts, but there is (normally) some coverage of documented problems after the warranty expiration.

If you're still under the factory 4/50 warranty, you are eligible to buy a Ford ESP warranty. It sounds like you might benefit from one...

Sorry, it's an 03. The in service date must be may of 03 because right after I got it I the dealer told me they knew the car, what warranty it had, and that it originated from here in Louisiana at the very same dealership I was using (I bought it on ebay in Mossuri). They even printed me out the normal service records they had performed years earlier on the car. I do remember them saying that I had until may of 07 left or 50k miles, whichever comes first. This would make sense that it's actually a 4 year warranty, guess I got confused about the 5yr thing.

 

[WS6HUMMER]

That is EXCELLENT advice! And I believe you can still get it if your warranty has expired. I know I got it that way on an Expedition I used to have. Check with Ford and find out for sure what you're options are.

How much does it cost usually?

 

[WS6HUMMER]

The first thing I'd do was go through all your paperwork and find out what the documented warranty is. Somewhere the warranty is spelled out in writing, then you'll know exactly what you're dealing with. if you can't find it, try the lincoln.com website for something that shows the warranty.

You could go to another dealer and have it fixed. If they won't warranty it, pay for it then take them to small claims court for the costs. The first time you took it in, you should have something describing the problem with a date and vehicle mileage - this can prove that the problem occurred and you tried to have it fixed before the warranty had expired. Seems to me you'd have a very good chance of getting your money back, but unfortunately it will take more effort and time than it should.

i'd never go back to a dealer that treats me bad, but here in los angeles, there are many to choose from, no matter what kind of car you have (bad news is = most of them suck anyway )

The thing that Really pi$$es me off with car dealers = they will spend thousands and tens of thousands of dollars per MONTH trying to win new customers, but won't spend a SMALL fraction of that to take of the customers they already have !

Much luck to you, but don't feel bad becuase we've all been there ....

Thanks for the advice, might be going down that road. I actually sell to a service mgr @ a ford dealer, think I might get him to look at my car.

 

[WS6HUMMER]

Mine too had the noise in the steering. I simply took the advise of another member on LVC and removed some of the PS fluid, put in some of the friction modifier. It took almost 3 weeks to completely quit down, but it has been quite now for almost 5K miles. Much easier than I tought it would be. A word of caution, DO NOT spill that stuff on anything. It stinks like a mad skunk.

The base warranty on my '03 is 48m/50K miles. Mine also has the CPO 6yr/75K warranty as well.

I helped a little on mine but it's still there, bad enough for all my wifes friends to ask "what's wrong with your car" when she drives her friends around.

 

[n8bachelor]

How much does it cost usually?

I was at the dealer the other day for a strange pop coming from the front passenger suspension and a horrible squeek from the steering wheel at low speeds. Turns out that they will be replacing the bushings on the control arms (i think) and the whole steering rack. They drained the PS fluid and added the friction modifier but it still made the bad noise so tomorrow it goes in for a new rack and control arms.

Anyways, while I was there (waited 4 hours just to have them tell me they couldnt do anything for me until later) I spoke with a salesman about the extended service plan. He told me that the coverages are like insurance, with varying levels of coverage costing varying amounts. He said expect to pay about $2k for a reasonable service plan ($150 deductable, bumper to bumper, up to 100k miles).

That is my experience,

Nate

 

[Bodyshield]

i too hear the squeezing/tick type noise and i just bought my car, i plan on taking into lincoln and compile a list of all the things i want checked and repaired on the vehicle (better to do it now so if it does break again it may still be under warranty), i was thinking about just adding the friction modifier but rather lincoln mess up/possibly fix the problem if need be it, rather than me

 

[WS6HUMMER]

I was at the dealer the other day for a strange pop coming from the front passenger suspension and a horrible squeek from the steering wheel at low speeds. Turns out that they will be replacing the bushings on the control arms (i think) and the whole steering rack. They drained the PS fluid and added the friction modifier but it still made the bad noise so tomorrow it goes in for a new rack and control arms.

Anyways, while I was there (waited 4 hours just to have them tell me they couldnt do anything for me until later) I spoke with a salesman about the extended service plan. He told me that the coverages are like insurance, with varying levels of coverage costing varying amounts. He said expect to pay about $2k for a reasonable service plan ($150 deductable, bumper to bumper, up to 100k miles).


.
Nate

That is my experience, except for hours were days and now that it's still making the noise the dealer clames they dont hear it. I plan on going to another dealer before I seek legal claims