DIFF CLUNK - Combined Approach

[jetute]

If that is the way they really are.... Then ford should have no problems writing a letter stating that this is normal and that te clunk will not devalue or hinder the process of sale. I have asked for this letter from the person I speak to @ 13ford and he said will be happy to give me this letter if the dealer says that it is within specification. Have to again take the car in on the 20th for the driveline. When I get the same response as before I will call my contact for the letter. I will then put my car in the paper for sale and as people come and see and if they are not interested and point that particular problem as the reason, I will hit ford up with it!!

everything else has failed...

[ZAP]

BLKXR6T,

I am currently going down the same path, I am waiting for the Ford engineer to book me in to tell me that mine is also "normal".

As you are one step ahead of me, I will let you know what I am doing.

After Ford tell me that it is normal, I will be taking my car to a reputable driveline expert and get their opinion on if it is normal and what is required to fix it. Once I have the report telling me that it is not "normal" I will then go back to Ford and tell them they can stick Normal where it fits and to Fix the car. They will most likely tell me to jump, this is where the department of Fair Trading will come into it.

We MUST give Ford the chance to rectify the problems, if we do, or if Ford say its not a problem,but other experts say there is a problem, then we have a very strong case.

Just because Ford say it is normal, it does not mean it is and there is nothing we can do about it, this is what Ford want you to think.

Remember Consumer Law is on our side and if you are persistant you will win.

With a strong case against Ford, you can either get the problems fixed by a 3rd party and then send Ford the bill (you will need to take them to small claims court to make them pay) or get the DoFT to place an order to make good the repairs and if the result is not acceptable, you may be entitled to a refund as the goods (car) are not of a merchantable quality and should not have been sold.

While the above seems like a lot of work, it can be worthwhile in the long run, as you paid $40k+ for your car that you need to drive for the next 2>+ years, so why put up with a substandard product.

Also people say that DoFT are not going to do anything....this is WRONG, they will, but only if they see that you are serious and that you have done the peliminary work (reports, etc.) before they step in. They are bound by legislation to act on your behalf to sort the problem out.

So that is what I am going to do to solve my driveline shunt. You can either wait for me to do the work or have a go yourself, either way, I am going to go all the way and ford is gonna have a flea biting its arse and soon it will need to scratch .....now if only Ford would call me back and book in a date

[londas]

The main point here is the problem is within the specifications of Ford, so to them, no problem exists. The fact that have a noisy and unrefined driveline does not mean that there is a problem. All it means is the cars are cheaply made, and are sub par.

As consumers, it could be argued that we got what we paid for.... cheap performance with little refinement.

My solution.........

Im test driving an MY05 WRX STI on Wednesday.

Ford has lost my business, and I can honestly say their attitude in this has totally put me off buying another one..... EVER!

[viffer]

Haven't been on for a while and hadn't realised the diff clunk was such a problem.

I have an auto turbo.

I had the well documented whine problem at 95 kmh. Took it to ford and they replaced it no worries. 3 months later and the diff turns up and after reading previous threads asked the ford service guys if it would be properly balanced when being replaced. "yeah sure mate will do" was the reply.

Well they didn't balance it and spent the next 7000 km with a the vibration before being properly balanced. You can't tell me this didn't cause unnecessary wear on unis.

After the balance all was smooth apart from drive line clunk straight after getting off a light throttle. Took it back and aparently there was a bold which was not seated properly so the thing wasn't even being held together right. Got this fixed and removed the clunk during general driving.

In performance mode if I hold a gear off the throttle after light acceleration there is a slight clunk. No wonder you manual guys are feeling the problem more that the autos. In adaptive mode the clunk is almost non-existant.

Mine also gives a good old whack when moving from forward to reverse and vise-versa.

Knew I shouldn't have bought the series one, however if this has been around since AU then the VE is looking mighty promising.

I was going to take a demo for a drive to see if it has the same clunk. If no clunk then I was going to use this as reasoning for a fix, again.

[exar]

Mine also gives a good old whack when moving from forward to reverse and vise-versa.

Knew I shouldn't have bought the series one, however if this has been around since AU then the VE is looking mighty promising.

It seems to me, that ever since computers got involved in engine management and gearbox control, car manufacturers have struggled to produce an auto and driveline that is as smooth as, say, the one in an old ZG Fairlane I used to own - it was smooth as silk and clunk free.

Another example, I had a TE Magna in the late 90's, and it was rough as guts changing in and out of 1st as you pulled up to a stop and took off again. Mitsubishi eventually replaced the whole 'transaxle' to improve it (but never fixed it) Note that owners of the previous model had the same problem.

I wonder if the owners of Holdens have a similar story?

[Guest BennyXRT]

It seems to me, that ever since computers got involved in engine management and gearbox control, car manufacturers have struggled to produce an auto and driveline that is as smooth as, say, the one in an old ZG Fairlane I used to own - it was smooth as silk and clunk free.

I disagree here...... the otherhalf has a new Honda Accord Euro and the auto gear change is as smooth as silk.

I think Aussie built cars aren't that bad, BUT they are still worlds away from the build quality and innovation you'd find in a Japanese car........

Just my ten cents......

P.S. My car goes in on Friday to get the diff clunk and whine seen to. It should be interesting.

Benny!

[exar]

It seems to me, that ever since computers got involved in engine management and gearbox control, car manufacturers have struggled to produce an auto and driveline that is as smooth as, say, the one in an old ZG Fairlane I used to own - it was smooth as silk and clunk free.

I disagree here...... the otherhalf has a new Honda Accord Euro and the auto gear change is as smooth as silk.

I think Aussie built cars aren't that bad, BUT they are still worlds away from the build quality and innovation you'd find in a Japanese car........

Just my ten cents......

P.S. My car goes in on Friday to get the diff clunk and whine seen to. It should be interesting.

Benny!

Well it's good to hear that some car manufacturers can do it right!

Good luck with your car then...

[ZAP]

My car is booked in to have Ford engineer examine the car next Tuesday.

I am going to tell him that it is NOT acceptable even if it is in Ford's 40mm backlash allowance.

I guess I can expect the normal statement from them, but this is just one of the many steps that I will need to take to get this sorted.

I will keep you all advised.

[BLKXR6T]

After being told the clunks & shunts are part of my T, I decided to lodge my complaint with NGE. (www.notgoodenough.org). (Ford listed at No 7)

I urge all you T drivers who have been told the same story from Ford, to take your complaint further (NGe, consumer affairs etc). This is simply not good enough from FORD, and the more people who make complaints, the better chance we have of gettting this widespread problem resolved.

It has really really angered me to hear from others on this forum, that some T owners have absolutely no noise from their manuals, after I was told by a Ford engineer that its a "normal characteristic" of the vehicle to clunk & shunt.

Not good enough!

[Mondie]

Round 4 of Diff wars is booked in for a couple of weeks.

Apparently l can expect both a Ford AND FPV engineer to drive my car.

Wonder what BS l will get fed this time