Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Ford Edge Spotted

Today on my way to the office, I spotted a pre-production version of the Ford Edge CUV on the Vine Street Expressway and I have to say that it is a rather impressive looking vehicle on the road. I think this vehicle will provide much traction in Ford's Bold Moves campaign.
As for me, it looks like a minivan with a long snout. Something like and overgrown, first generation Mazda MPV, but perhaps it was the first CUV and no one realized that it was a ground breaking vehicle. Posted by Picasa

Sunday, October 15, 2006

I Guess This Is What Ford Wants To Happen.

While cruising on the web, I came across a picture of a Crown Vic that suffered a similar fate as mine. But I guess the rear brake calipers were not as strong as they think because obviously the axle and rear disk brake is gone.

Granted, this is a P71 while I have a M75. But the outcome could be the same for the other owners of this model car. That includes all civilian and non-fleet Crown Victorias, Grand Marquis and Town Cars. Posted by Picasa

OH! I am so sick!

I got my packet from the BBB so that I could file an action against Ford for the axle issue that was not fixed in my Grand Marquis. Come to find out, the Better Business Bureau only supports actions for cars that are still withing the warranty period. This means that all of us with cars that are out of warranty but are manufactured with defects that do not surface in the first three years of ownership or first 36,000 miles, we have no way of going back against the manufacturer.

Something about this is really wrong considering that a failure of rear axle is somthing that can be catastrophic in nature. What if if the axle broke while cruising down the NJ Turnpike and my poor car was rear-ended by another vehicle? Can you say "KFB."

I think Ford along with the NHTSA has made a major mistake. If any litigator is looking to take on a potential class action case against Ford regarding these defective axle that are in all Panther vehicles manufactured in the 2002 calandar year, feel free to email me. cgarison@aol.com or kyjeepster@aol.com. I will provide all of my notes and history for this issue with my car. Posted by Picasa

Friday, October 06, 2006

2008 Mercury Meta One Spotted in Northern WV!

The Mercury Meta One concept car that debut at the 2005 NAIAS which was rumored to have been dropped from the line up in February 2006 was captured by yours truly while traveling home from Philadelphia on Oct, 6 2006. I took the pictures at Exit 7 westbound on I68 near Morgantown, WV.
From the side view, it is easy to spot the Mercury style headlights as well as the light units that are very similar in appearance to that of its sibling, the Mercury Milan.

I was within a 5 feet of the car at on point as I passed the caravan of test mules consisting of trucks cladded to look like a 2007 Silverado and Sierra. From that close of a point I could distinctly see the waterfall grill and Mercury Logo although I could not pull off the shot through the side glas of my land yacht. Posted by Picasa

Sunday, October 01, 2006

TSB on 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis

Article No.

03-5-5

 AXLE - REAR AXLE SHAFT AND/OR AXLE BEARING PREMATURE WEAR - VEHICLES PRODUCED BEFORE 1/1/2003 ONLY
Publication Date: February 28, 2003

FORD:


2003 CROWN VICTORIA
LINCOLN:


2003 TOWN CAR
MERCURY:


2003 GRAND MARQUIS

Article 02-25-3 is being republished in its entirety to update the model line coverage. ISSUE:

Some 2003 Town Car (except Limo and Hearse chassis), Crown Victoria and Grand Marquis vehicles produced before 1/1/2003, may exhibit rear axle shaft and/or axle bearing premature wear. This is caused by excessive load, temperature, and inadequate lubrication.

ACTION:

To service, install Rear Axle Bearing Service Kit, Part Number 3W1Z-4A109-AA. Refer to the instruction sheet included with the service kit.

PART NUMBER PART NAME
3W1Z-4A109-AA Rear Axle Bearing Service Kit

OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES:

NONE

SUPERSEDES:

02-25-3

WARRANTY STATUS:

Eligible Under The Provisions Of Bumper To Bumper Warranty Coverage

OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME
030505A Install Axle Bearing Service Kit 1.5 Hrs.

DEALER CODING

BASIC PART NO. CONDITION CODE
4234 42

OASIS CODES:

509000, 510000, 703200, 703300




NOTE: The information in Technical Service Bulletins is intended for use by trained, professional technicians with the knowledge, tools, and equipment to do the job properly and safely. It informs these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or provides information that could assist in proper vehicle service. The procedures should not be performed by "do-it-yourselfers". Do not assume that a condition described affects your car or truck. Contact a Ford, Lincoln, or Mercury dealership to determine whether the Bulletin applies to your vehicle.


Copyright © 2003 Ford Motor Company

Ford Recall on Panthers

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SAFETY RECALL
04S16 Certain 2003 Model Year Ford Crown Victoria Police/Commercial and Lincoln Town Car Vehicles Sold to Fleets-Rear Axle Shaft Fracture

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Frank M. Ligon
Director
Service Engineering Operations
Ford Customer Service Division

Ford Motor Company
P.O. Box 1904
Dearborn, Michigan 48121

July 2004

TO: All U.S. Ford and Lincoln Mercury Dealers

SUBJECT: Safety Recall 04S16:
Certain 2003 Model Year Ford Crown Victoria Police/Commercial and Lincoln Town Car Vehicles Sold to Fleets
Rear Axle Shaft Fracture


AFFECTED VEHICLES


Certain 2003 model year Ford Crown Victoria Police/Commercial (Body codes P70, P71 and P72) vehicles built at the St. Thomas Assembly Plant from October 10, 2001 through December 4, 2002.
Certain 2003 model year Lincoln Town Car vehicles sold to fleets (Body codes M84 and M81 ordered with FIN code) built at the Wixom Assembly Plant from November 14, 2001 through December 3, 2002.
Affected vehicles are identified in OASIS. In addition, for a list of vehicles assigned to your dealership, visit https://web.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.com. This information will be available on July 8, 2004.

REASON FOR THIS SAFETY RECALL

Due to significant differences in vehicle design and customer usage, the affected vehicles typically input higher loads into the vehicle chassis during fleet usage, overloading the wheel bearings and axles. This may lead to early bearing failure and ultimately, axle shaft fracture. In the event of axle shaft fracture, the vehicle would lose drive function and would coast to a stop. Loss of drive function could lead to a vehicle crash.

SERVICE ACTION

At no charge to the vehicle owner, dealers are to install an axle repair kit consisting of new rear axle shafts, rear wheel bearings, and rear axle seals. This must be performed on all of the affected vehicles in your inventory as well as vehicles that have been delivered to customers.

Based on our records, vehicles that were previously repaired with axle repair kit 3W1Z-4A109-AA (introduced with Technical Service Bulletin #03-05-05) do not require any further repair and are not included in this program.

PLEASE NOTE:

Correct all vehicles in stock before delivery. Federal law requires dealers to complete any outstanding safety recall service before a new vehicle is delivered to the buyer or lessee. Violation of this requirement by a dealer could result in a civil penalty of up to $5,000 per vehicle.

This Is Not Good!

Arrrrrggggggghhhhhhhhhh!!!!
As many of the posters at CVN know, I love my 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis. It is quite simply, the most comfortable car for cruising the highways of America. Need to run to DC... No Problem... Two hours of riding in a comfortable leather couch and I am there. Refreshed and ready to work.

(Picture taken in Fairfield, NJ)

Well, now I am very mad at Ford Motor Company regarding my awesome car. The rear axle is in the process of failing and I am going to have to spend major dollars having it rebuilt at the dealership. To make matters worse, this axle failue is due to a manaufacturer's defect that is in all 2003 Mercury Garnd Marquis, Ford Crown Victorias and Lincoln Town Cars that were built at either STAP (in Canada) or Wixsom (in Michigan) during the 2002 calandar year. (My particular car has a July 2002 build date.) For reference, please see Ford TSB 03-03-05.

The problem with the axle is so bad that even the NHTSA stepped up and had Ford issue a recall (NHTSA Campaign #04V328000) to repair 47,314 fleet based Crown Victorias and Lincoln Town Cars. Sad part is that the rest of us with civilian CV's, non-Fleet Town Cars and Grand Marquis are left out in the cold with axles that are going to fail.

This leaves me very aggitated. Plus due to the fact that I purchased this car as a pre-owned vehicle, I do not have the backing of a state lemon law. I am quite confident that arbitration system put in place with the Better Business Bureau will do quite fine in finding a remedy to my problem, but it is just the hassle of hving to go through this process of getting things rectified.

So, tomorrow I am off to the dealership to get get the ball rolling and start the process.

More information to follow as it comes.

Garison