Car Help Needed/Any Machanics Out there?

aj_31
aj_31 Posts: 994 Member
in Chit-Chat
I know I need to have my car looked AGAIN but I'm not sure if I should go back to the dealership that "fixed" it this last time or go to Ford.

I bought a 2009 Ford Focus about 2 yrs ago. It has the low profile tires that came stock on it. Each winter I have changed out the tires and put winter tires on it because where I live if you don't have winter tires you can't drive anywhere in this car.

When I first bought this car it was great. No problems with it. Now and for some time it's making a weird noise when I pull in/out of my driveway with my wheels turned either left or right - depending on which way I'm coming from. Also if I'm driving and I turn left/right and there is a divot in the road and I'm going at an average speed my car makes the same noise. Bacially any time my car has to go up or down with my wheels turned hard or soft it makes this noise. The noise itself is hard to explain. It's almost like a rubbing/grinding noise. My husband thinks it has something to do with the giant springs above my tire setup. I wonder if it has to do with the suspension.

I took it to dealership I bought it from about 2 months ago to have it fixed. I have a full warranty on it with a $0 ded if they fix it. I gave them the same info as above when I dropped my car off. They called me a few hours later saying they couldn't get it to make the noise and wanted to know if I'd come back down and drive with a tech. Okay that was kind of my first clue they are idiots or don't listen very well because I specifically told them going in/out of a driveway will do it. I went there, got a tech, and took it to a driveway and it made the exact sound. Then backed out and it made the same noise again. The tech was puzzled. They took it back into the shop and replaced the struts, mounds, and some rubber things. Basically $600 worth of work. They call me and say it's fixed. I get it back and the same day it's doing the same thing. Now it's sounding worse!

Questions:

Does anyone know what it could be from that info? Does anyone drive a Ford Focus and have the same issue?

Do I take it back to the place that just "fixed" it or should I go straight to Ford with this problem? If I go to Ford I have to pay $100 for them to fix it - which I will gladly pay if they can actually fix it.

Thoughts?

Replies

  • Unknown
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  • LonLB
    LonLB Posts: 1,126 Member
    Strut mount upper nuts.

    That's actually something you or a friend could do with with a few minutes time.

    Otherwise the next guess is upper strut mounts. Again not that hard IF you know someone who does that kind of thing once in awhile.

    Could also be lower balljoint, or tie rod ends.


    VERY, likely the strut mount nuts or strut mounts.



    I HATE working on vehicles but I used to race in SCCA events (Sports Car Club Of America), so I've gotten used to pulling apart suspension parts.
  • coliema
    coliema Posts: 7,646 Member
    This is why boyfriends are great..
    That's why I'm with my boyfriend, and because he can build stuff.

    Take it back and tell them it's not fixed.
  • LonLB
    LonLB Posts: 1,126 Member
    If the Ford garage $100 fee is a co-pay kind of thing then check the upper strut nuts, (borrow a socket that fits, wratched and extension-and tighten them as much as you can or have a guy friend tighten them)
    If the noise persists take it to the Ford Garage and pay the $100 co-pay. It's going to cost more than that anyhow. Strut mounts will be 20-40 each, and you really need to replace both. (PLUS labor)
  • LonLB
    LonLB Posts: 1,126 Member
    Ahh sorry I missed that those were replaced.




    It has to be in the lower balljoints, tie rod ends or steering rack.

    A good garage WILL fix it.


    When I was racing the tires were so sticky and the cars would produce so many G-forces because of them that sometimes the K-member (steel part that EVERYTHING mounts to in the front) would crack and cause all kinds of weird noises.
    It's not plausible that fatigue from road use could cause this as well.
  • aj_31
    aj_31 Posts: 994 Member
    This is why boyfriends are great..

    If you took your car home after paying $600.00 for them to fix it and it's not fixed take it back the very same day and tell them it's not fixed. That's a no brainer. Maybe bring a brother or guy friend with you who knows their cars.

    I have a full warranty on it. I didn't pay anything at the time. I haven't had time to bring it back. I know the warranty covers it so I'm not worried about losing any $ over it. I just have to find time to bring it there.
  • aj_31
    aj_31 Posts: 994 Member
    Ahh sorry I missed that those were replaced.




    It has to be in the lower balljoints, tie rod ends or steering rack.

    A good garage WILL fix it.


    When I was racing the tires were so sticky and the cars would produce so many G-forces because of them that sometimes the K-member (steel part that EVERYTHING mounts to in the front) would crack and cause all kinds of weird noises.
    It's not plausible that fatigue from road use could cause this as well.

    Thanks your info has been very helpful. Another lady that is on my friends list said to have them check the bushing and the sway bar. She said her car and her husbands truck did the same thing. I then went and googled that before coming back to check for comments and found this site.

    http://www.ar15.com/archive/topic.html?b=1&f=134&t=908117

    It sounds very similar to my car. Makes that noise going up or down and turning. It's not a popping but one person referred to it as a door stop sound when someone plays with it. I'm going to call and see if they checked those things and schedule a time to get it in. I'm going to take your info in with me as well.

    At least I'm not paying anything for it but if they can't fix it this time around I'm going to bring it in to Ford.

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