Driveline Shunt with our GT.

[hypnodoc]

So what do we do? Buy an HSV (not).

He who screams loudest gets heard. My shunt went away for a while after I fitted the Pedders and lowered it a little. So maybe its a driveshaft angle issue as well. Just pleased it isn't that bad. If it was I'd be screaming.

[mercturbo]

  JB said:

Mondie, I am in the same boat. whilst still waiting for my 3rd diff (which they agree is a problem) the driveline shunt "is how it is" Even though they have downloaded the 339 'Upgrades' to fix the problem. Seems to be any problem is addressed with a computer upgrade. have they ever thought to check the mechanical components?

Then there is the gearbox which has a whine in 3rd. It is only apparent until the car gets really hot and heatsoak occurs then it's fine. When it was checked by the Ford tester he remarked that it was noisy and he would see what he could do, which indicates to me there is a problem. They changed the gearbox oil (Under warranty) to redline but unfortunately no joy. Now they are telling me that it's normal? And there is nothing they can do, their hands are tied. Why did they change the oil and acknowledge it was whinging? I then asked if I drove another XR manual whether I would have the same problem they said YES. I have driven 2 guess what, not the same.

I have spoken to 13ford and written a letter, as much as they try to help all they do is pass it back to the dealer and we go back and forth from there.

I have basically accepted that once I get my diff done that this is the best I will get, and the car is what it is until I purchase another car. Unfortunately due to lease constraints I will have to hold onto it for 12-18 months more. But in that time rest assured as I have already been asked about my car by various people, I will tell them not to bother with Ford. ( Old man was going to get an XR8 instead cancelled order bought a jag) As much as I love the T, and it's concept it's major downfall is component quality, build quality and shocking customer service from FMCO.

I will never purchase a ford again, and subsequently have convinced my management team that all our company cars will be changed over to Holdens. Even though Ford will not give a sh*t, it makes me feel better. It's european for me next time boys.

I would hope Fmoco are reading this, there again they're all probably now in "Territory" mode, stuff the Mondies and JB's of the world. Cut your bloody profit from $155m to $140 m and fix peoples warranty as you should and you will have many happy satisfied, returning customers, if you don't well you're not listening Tom

[HSE2]

HSV have their own set of driveline problems that are mainly vibration issues.

Mate had a new shifter installed for a known issue only last week in his VY clubbie

The problem is that great manual cars are pretty hard to come by and then you pay an arm and a leg for them. Many high performance variants are auto only. Manual strength is a real issue. Japanese models could be an alternative but they tend to be a bit on the small side.

There won't be a fix until one of three things happen.

The media bag the sh*t out of the cars over this issue or an owner takes the fight public. For such a wide known fault there is relatively very little exposure in public.

The last is that people don’t support the product. Don’t return as customers.

[Buf-Phoon]

Well , sounds about typical . I am now into my 11th week of waiting for a new diff, as I have a whine at 95 ks ( like most do ).Personally I am not pushing it with the dealer too hard as I can put up whine , and have virtually no shunt.

After reading JBs post , I am probably better sticking with the diff Ive got , lest the buffoons at the Service Dept fit me up with a clunker.

[jetute]

sorry to hear your problems mate.... I am in the same boat as you and have the car again booked in to have the driveline inspected...I dont expect to get far.... maybe we could write a letter to fomoco signed by every single member of this site that suffers from driveline shunt.... making it very clear that we will take this matter further as a large group unless something is done to rectify the matter!!

[KEN 24T]

  jetute said:

sorry to hear your problems mate.... I am in the same boat as you and have the car again booked in to have the driveline inspected...I dont expect to get far.... maybe we could write a letter to fomoco signed by every single member of this site that suffers from driveline shunt.... making it very clear that we will take this matter further as a large group unless something is done to rectify the matter!!

I'll sign a petition.

[Turbo6man]

  Mondie said:

T6man > That was a drastic way of getting the problem rectified. I am not suprised that you were able to buy another T3 that was much better, there seems to be so much variance in the specs of the various components that result in the shunt. There are certainly plently of BA owners who too dont have the problem and probably wonder why l am so pissed at Ford. Did you ever get antwhere with Ford, or were you up against the "There all like that, its normal" line that we all get fed?

Tell us about the rollover, you kept that very quiet. Did you buy a near identical TE50? You would have done well out of that given the poor resale on T3's

Cheers.

Mate, what can I say? The rollover was my first off-road experience in over 30 years driving and I can tell you it was a wild ride.

I (and my passenger) was lucky to get out with no more than a couple of bruises. The car looked after us as it was designed to do - one reason I had no hesitation in buying another - I can now say with first hand experience that a Ford is a strong body shell and the built-in safety features, crumple zones, seat belt pretensioners and air bags, all work.

The car was actually still capable of moving under it's own power after the incident, and, apart from a door being damaged during retrieval, it could have been driven on the road - but a bit of an ugly sight!!! The roof pillars and door frames and sills were absolutely straight - all doors, boot, and bonnet opened and closed as for a normal car - bloody amazing.

I was extremely lucky with having an agreed value policy and was able to actually pick up an identical car for considerably less money. This is how I rationalise to myself that I can now afford to buy a replacement T56 gearbox if necessary.

I should say here that NRMA was fantastic about the whole thing and I was paid out within a week.

NO - I never got anywhere with Ford as to resolving the issue. I've documented all the work they did in trying to sort the problem, but when nothing worked they started the "this is within normal operational range for this model" spiel.

I agree wholeheartedly with all that HSE2 has said regarding this driveline issue - it is certainly not new, and Ford are simply refusing to address the issue, and treating customers with absolute arrogance. I hope their new CEO will do something about customer relations now that their marketing and sales are starting to pick up. If he doesn't Ford are going to suffer major repurcussions in the marketplace very soon. The BA phenomenom will be short lived I fear.

[Zeke]

Gooday Mondie

I really feel for you re that outcome - totally unacceptable!

At the risk of being flamed and called a wimp, can I suggest an alternative approach. In the first week I had my T, I shelled out for new tyres so the thing would drive the way it should. Can't remember now what it cost, but say $800. The way I look at it I paid an extra $800 on the purchase price to get the car and driving experience I wanted. Shouldn't have to but it was worth it.

In your position, I would probably approach the best diff/gbox/driveline experts I could access. I'd get them to document the faults and quote on fixing them. If Ford wouldn't play ball, I'd probably pay for it myself if it wasn't too steep.

That way, I'd be driving the car I expected to get initially and enjoying it. I'd still pursue the matter with Ford to the ultimate conclusion, but at least I could enjoy driving in the meantime.

Now people are going to say I'd be voiding warantee and messing up my chances of Ford fixing the problem. I just don't rate those chances very highly! And what price do you put on driving a car day in day out that's not what it should be? That would make me more bitter and twisted than paying a bit extra to get the car I really wanted. Still very cheap compared to the European opposition.

So I'd be pursuing the matter with Ford as enthusiastically as anyone. But, in the meantime, my car would drive like it should and I'd be enjoying it. I'd just have to rely on the documentation of the defects and repairs rather than being able to demonstrate the fault - as if anyone is interested at FMC.

Regards

zeke

[jetute]

  Zeke said:

Gooday Mondie

I really feel for you re that outcome - totally unacceptable!

At the risk of being flamed and called a wimp, can I suggest an alternative approach. In the first week I had my T, I shelled out for new tyres so the thing would drive the way it should. Can't remember now what it cost, but say $800. The way I look at it I paid an extra $800 on the purchase price to get the car and driving experience I wanted. Shouldn't have to but it was worth it.

In your position, I would probably approach the best diff/gbox/driveline experts I could access. I'd get them to document the faults and quote on fixing them. If Ford wouldn't play ball, I'd probably pay for it myself if it wasn't too steep.

That way, I'd be driving the car I expected to get initially and enjoying it. I'd still pursue the matter with Ford to the ultimate conclusion, but at least I could enjoy driving in the meantime.

Now people are going to say I'd be voiding warantee and messing up my chances of Ford fixing the problem. I just don't rate those chances very highly! And what price do you put on driving a car day in day out that's not what it should be? That would make me more bitter and twisted than paying a bit extra to get the car I really wanted. Still very cheap compared to the European opposition.

So I'd be pursuing the matter with Ford as enthusiastically as anyone. But, in the meantime, my car would drive like it should and I'd be enjoying it. I'd just have to rely on the documentation of the defects and repairs rather than being able to demonstrate the fault - as if anyone is interested at FMC.

Regards

zeke

I can see where you are coming from but unfortunately my pockets are just not deep enough to take this path... and like you said I do not feel that I should have to pay for it considering I bought a new car ... I know that this thread is in regards to mondie and his problems... but there are many of us in the same boat... hence some sort of group approach might be a worth while and maybe even a good option to take at this point in time

[Mondie]

Thanks for all the responses guys.

l contacted Ford CRC this afternoon to lodge my complaint but because it's a GT, was transfered onto a seperate FPV CRC department. Explained the situation, guy took notes and said he would talk with the Ford engineer who drove the car yesterday and someone within FPV and get back to me Monday. About what l expected l guess. Also contacted Carol (customer relations at New Oak) and have told her l want to take it further. She will be talking with the dealer principal and CRC to see where we go from here. And so begins the long drawn out process.....

HSE2 > Thanks for your reply mate. l know you are a die hard Ford nut and know the history of the AU very well, l value your opinion on the problem and it confirms in my mind that l am not being overly pedantic or have too higher expectations. l am sure HSV have their own issues but they still dont seem as major as this one to get resolved. Anyhow, just thinking out loud on that one l agree that good manuals are hard to come by, they just arent demanded in any serious volume anymore. Bloody auto drivers!

Zeke > Cheers mate, its actually a very good idea and one that l will consider in the future, once Ford have (inevitably?) fobbed me off. If l get the Office of Fair Trading involved having the car inspected by a driveline specialist would be something that l would have to have done anyhow. Does anyone know of a reputable driveline specialist in Melbourne that could undertake a thourough inspection and provide a quote on rectification?

T6man > Super effort but l dont think l will be taking a leaf out of your book. Where's the pics of the new beast, c'mon forum rules and all??

A group action is something that we could also look at doing as there are obviously plenty who are effected by Fords penny pinching. l would like to see where this gets me first and to anyone else with the problem please post in this thread your experiences and treatment.

Surely Ford must read the forums, or am l just a dreamer

Cheers