Axle bolt answers, finally


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K-P Garage

K-P Garage

GT Owner
Sep 12, 2005
364
Longwood, Florida
Okay folks, here is what I was able to find out today. First, understand that I don't know anybody special, don't have any special ins with anyone at Ford, and Piccola has labeled me and my GTs as "just plain old stock". With that in mind, please know that everyone can get this fix done now and hopefully put this problem out for good.
I talked to Ford today and explained that while I had not had the bolt failures that I had learned that it was happening more and more as the cars are now in good circulation. I told them that I had grounded both of our GTs and needed to find out what had to occur to get local repairs, TSB, whatever. They were completely professional and told me that the repair kit is FOMOCO part number 4G7Z-7B368-BA. It is actually a service kit but I don't know the contents.
I then called my Ford dealer here in Orlando (Don Reid Ford). The service writer told me they had 2005 car #1797 there at the dealership as it had just come in on a hook. They were doing the repair right then. They were now familiar with it. They took down the number above and said they would get the parts and get our cars in to get them done. Once they pull the bolts I will let everyone know whether they had the correct hardened washers or not. For your information, our 2005 is #1170 and the 2006 is #958. Folks, I would not count on production dates and worry about your number coming up or not. If Ford is willing to replace them, then it should be strongly considered by everyone on the forum and every other GT owner that we can pass this info along to. Hope this helps. K-P
 
That is good information. Thanks for posting. Does Ford recommend that all the cars have them replaced as a precautionary measure?
 
I am confused. Does this mean even if we have not experienced the problem yet Ford is willing to fix it at no cost? An unofficial recall?
 
Ditto K-P - I had the same experience. I don't know why anyone would not do it as a preventive measure. Crazy not to. My repair was free but I would have paid for it. As it turned out my car was OK but the parts are not re-usable anyway.
 
I will be waaaaaay past furious if I have to pay for this, but I will do it whether it's free or not.
 
Just FYI, it took only a few days for the dealer to get the replacement bolts kit in after I called with my concerns, and only a couple of hours for the tech to install the bolts. Just to overkill what I've already written elsewhere on this forum, get them to check all the axle nuts and calipers and wheel bolts for tightness while the car is there.

Frankly I could not have been happier with the service I got from the dealer. It was so good I wrote a letter of thanks to the President of Ford. Good work deserves praise! BTW I have never had occasion to send a nice note to the President of Ferrari NA or Porsche NA. The Ford dealer really cares. Hope your experience is as good - give them a chance and they may impress you too!
 
K-P Garage said:
Okay folks, here is what I was able to find out today. First, understand that I don't know anybody special, don't have any special ins with anyone at Ford, and Piccola has labeled me and my GTs as "just plain old stock". With that in mind, please know that everyone can get this fix done now and hopefully put this problem out for good.
I talked to Ford today and explained that while I had not had the bolt failures that I had learned that it was happening more and more as the cars are now in good circulation. I told them that I had grounded both of our GTs and needed to find out what had to occur to get local repairs, TSB, whatever. They were completely professional and told me that the repair kit is FOMOCO part number 4G7Z-7B368-BA. It is actually a service kit but I don't know the contents.
I then called my Ford dealer here in Orlando (Don Reid Ford). The service writer told me they had 2005 car #1797 there at the dealership as it had just come in on a hook. They were doing the repair right then. They were now familiar with it. They took down the number above and said they would get the parts and get our cars in to get them done. Once they pull the bolts I will let everyone know whether they had the correct hardened washers or not. For your information, our 2005 is #1170 and the 2006 is #958. Folks, I would not count on production dates and worry about your number coming up or not. If Ford is willing to replace them, then it should be strongly considered by everyone on the forum and every other GT owner that we can pass this info along to. Hope this helps. K-P
Click to expand...

How can two different guys get such entirely different answers to the same question on the same day?? Ford told my service manager just a few hours ago that they didn't consider the problem widespread enough to even do a goodwill warranty. Basically the repair was on me if I wanted it done. To my service guys credit, he said he would force it through as a warranty and get the repairs done for me but not because Ford OK'd it. I guess it's just the luck of the draw on who you get to answer the phone up there. Some of them give a s*** (like your guy) and some don't (I believe my service guy said the Ford reps name was Patrick).

The moral is: If you don't get the answer you want, keep calling until you do. :thumbsdow :thumbsdow
 
K-P, in re-reading your post, you don't actually say that Ford approved a free repair. They just gave you the part number to the kit. You say that your dealer agreed to do the warranty. Did Ford actually SAY they would do it for free?
 
I think this is the third time I've said this :lol

I asked and Ford directly told me, to my face, in person, they will do this repair for free if you choose to do it.
 
So ... the question I have for you all, is where should I have this done. I live in SW Wisconsin and any of dealers close by have not had one in their showroom, let alone work on one. I don't have a problem driving or trailering to a reputable dealer to have the work done - my baby is worth it to me - but I need to know where to take her. Will also have the first oil change done as well as any other things that really should be taken care of.

Would appreciate suggestions on dealer selection and what to have done as far as preventative maintenance while its there.
 
It is warranty

It is a warranty repair. That is per Ford and the dealer. The only real cost is staying at the dealership waiting on the car. Of course making me hang around the Ford place is like throwing br' rabbit in the briar patch.
We may try and get all the Orlando GTs together and go on one day. That would make for an interesting look in the service drive.
 
ASK NICELY AND REMEMBER AS MINE IS STARTING TO FEEL LIKE A SHIMY OR LOOSE VIBRATION FEEL :wink , IT WILL BE DONE. GTJOEY 1314 ENJOY
 
It would be a lot easier if someone at Ford or Ricardo would just let us know which transaxle s/n or car VINs are affected.

Any chance one of you can get this info and let us know?
 
GTJim, Come on down to St. Louis and have it done at my favorite dealership in Hazelwood. If you want, I'll get both our cars set up for the fix. Gotta do it before winter sets in. Frank
 
Well, not to spoil anyone's parade, but I went to my dealer that sold me my GT today, showed them all the posts on the topic, and was told that they have no "TSB" from FORD. Technical Service Bulletin, on installing the fix product nor is there an official recommendation from Ford to dealers on this. Service manager told me "they replace it if it breaks". So, I am now very pissed about this, absolutely nothing publically from FORD on what to do. I guess we are to drive the GT hoping nothing happens and if it does, barring an accident or death, have the car towed back to the dealer so they can replace it. I am a little more proactive than this, have ordered the fix part kit myself, will pay for the kit and will pay to have it installed as opposed to suffering the time, hassle and potential injury by leaving it alone until something happens to the car while driving it. I can envision being on the freeway, and losing my transmission response and gears, nice thought, right?

I was a fairly happy FORD GT owner until this :bs happened, now it has become apparent and the lack of FOMOCO response lets me know where I stand on Ford's "Quality is Job One" motto.

:thumbsdow :frown

Oh, and "Ask Nicely GTJOEY" is living at a different car dealership than I am ! I suspect that after paying the $182K out the door for the sports car, to make sure one asks "nicely" seems a little bit lame. The dealer should have notified me to bring the GT in and have the service done rather than have me "ask nicely" to see if they can accommodate me. Now that is total :bs advice, fer sure! I guess we need to see a traffic fatality to get the pressure on Ford up enough to warrant a recall and service recommendation, eh?

DBK, you may have a great advantage by just calling a contact at Ford and have them assure you "they will take care of it if you want to have it done", but that in no way translates to the local dealer response to the same query, who has not received a TSB and gives customers the above response. "We will fix it if it breaks" doesn't sell with me. Paying to have it done is a far smaller burden than experiencing any of the other options!

My car will stay in my garage until it Snows in Honduras before I drive it again until I get this safety issue resolved. Safety is Job One! I have no confidence in my dealer taking initiative to fix this problem, I will do it myself by paying for the kit and scheduling an appointment.

Thanks FORD MOTOR COMPANY! :bs :bs :bs
 
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Thread Consolidation

DBK-

The axle bolt problem has grown to a level of significant importance to many, many GT owners and Forum participants. We all await your posting on your talk highlights with Fred G to hopefully provide some clarity on which transaxles are affected and what is recommended to the car owner population.

Since this topic is contained within two General Discussion threads ("Axle bolt answers, finally" & "Transmission GONE??????") as well as one in the Technical Discussion thread, could we close out all but one thread so we do not have to search multiple threads to see the latest comments on this topic?

Thanks, and waiting to review your post.

Bill
 
fjpikul

What dealership in Hazelwood? Will they do repair under warranty or can they verify proper washers/bolts by vin #. I'm ready for oil change anyway and was going to call around to see about getting repairs done under warranty.
 
Red Rocket said:
Frankly I could not have been happier with the service I got from the dealer. It was so good I wrote a letter of thanks to the President of Ford. Good work deserves praise! BTW I have never had occasion to send a nice note to the President of Ferrari NA or Porsche NA. The Ford dealer really cares.
Click to expand...

Wonderful post. As my late father (top notch engineer in his field) always put it, 'From reclamation to acquisition' ... Good tech support will remain what you remember, not the initial flaw, but the occasion they were impressed...

Now, where do I bring mine to here in Pasta country ?

slf360
 
fjpikul said:
GTJim, Come on down to St. Louis and have it done at my favorite dealership in Hazelwood. If you want, I'll get both our cars set up for the fix. Gotta do it before winter sets in. Frank
Click to expand...
fjpikul,
small world.. Hazelwood... Pattonville Highschool, class of 79.....me, nice memories :biggrin

Stefan
 
With all the axle bolt discussions and the request for Ford to initiate a campaign or TSB being tied to specific vin numbers; I am beginning to wonder if Ford truly does not know which are affected. I say this because it is known that the last vin# is not necessary the last car built etc. My gut tells me that they have an idea but to lock into a specific range of vin numbers may in fact open them up to secondary liability because the likelihood is that some would be missed. Now I am not siding with them but rather sharing an observation.

Has anyone one on the board swapped the bolts themselves or at the very least watched the entire process? I ask because after looking at the repair CD it appears to be a process that can be done rather easy with no secondary components having to be removed. Is this true?

Lastly; I for one have a modest concern and yet I am in the last batch of the 06 builds so it is tempered however I have an even greater concern having dealerships learn how to work on these gals. With any other Marquee of extreme there is at the very least some sort of training however from what I have gathered most dealerships have never worked on these gals and their technicians have received no formal training. This to me is a grave concern.

Takes care

Shadowman
 
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