GT500 Clutch TSB / July28,2008 and TSB 09-09-02

[68fastback]

Originally Posted by Birdman

With the 373 rear gear I plan to go with
STOCK .......... NEW *
1st:: 2.97 ...... 2.66 *

2nd:: 1.78 ...... 1.78

3rd:: 1.30 ...... 1.30

4th:: 1.1 ...... 1.1

5th:: .80 ...... .74 *

6th:: .63 ...... .50 *



:(However Tremec does not make these gears to match up with the TR6060 gear set and main cluster ...yet)

Now *that's* nice gear spacing ;-)

[SLB8SNK]

So get this, talk about pissed off. So after much debate on this whole TSB, I decided to call the local dealership here in NV, Gaudin Ford. I spoke to the service writer who states that because this is NOT an official Ford recall, no dealer is allowed to order the parts or do the repair UNTIL the car has issues, or exhibits a problem related to the TSB. So basically a guy like me, who garages the car (600 miles in one year), we may never experience the issue, or at least in time to get it repaired under warranty.

Yet an other f-ed up issue, known to all, that buying a 50K+ car makes no difference.

So BIG question here, anyone know of a REAL dealer here in NV?? PM me please!

[rpretzel]

Originally Posted by SLB8SNK

So get this, talk about pissed off. So after much debate on this whole TSB, I decided to call the local dealership here in NV, Gaudin Ford. I spoke to the service writer who states that because this is NOT an official Ford recall, no dealer is allowed to order the parts or do the repair UNTIL the car has issues, or exhibits a problem related to the TSB. So basically a guy like me, who garages the car (600 miles in one year), we may never experience the issue, or at least in time to get it repaired under warranty.

Yet an other f-ed up issue, known to all, that buying a 50K+ car makes no difference.

So BIG question here, anyone know of a REAL dealer here in NV?? PM me please!

Yep. Unfortunately, that's how TSBs work...they only fix it is it's broken. I know how to solve your situation...get out there and drive that car!

[SLB8SNK]

Originally Posted by rpretzel

Yep. Unfortunately, that's how TSBs work...they only fix it is it's broken. I know how to solve your situation...get out there and drive that car!

Ya ya ya, I know... and now you know why I have it up for sale... I just do not have the time for the car... 600 miles in one year, and I live in NV now... Sucks!

[iceman]

and tsb's for axels out there?

[Birdman]

Originally Posted by SLB8SNK

So get this, talk about pissed off. So after much debate on this whole TSB, I decided to call the local dealership here in NV, Gaudin Ford. I spoke to the service writer who states that because this is NOT an official Ford recall, no dealer is allowed to order the parts or do the repair UNTIL the car has issues, or exhibits a problem related to the TSB. So basically a guy like me, who garages the car (600 miles in one year), we may never experience the issue, or at least in time to get it repaired under warranty.

Yet an other f-ed up issue, known to all, that buying a 50K+ car makes no difference.

So BIG question here, anyone know of a REAL dealer here in NV?? PM me please!

Tell them it only does it when you are in bumper to bumper traffic. That's when it (the clutch) heats up and starts to shudder and is very difficult to drive.
If you complain enough and insist they will have to fix it.

They just did mine for the 2nd time. This time it was the new flywheel ,clutch and pilot bearing for that very reason.

[Johnny Dangerously]

We took my wife's truck in for a TSB that our mechanic recommended to have done. Since we were not exhibiting any problems, they refused to fix it. He did say that because it was entered into their computer, should it become a problem after the warranty is up (which it is) we can still get it fixed.

We'll see how that works out if it becomes an issue.


`

[SLB8SNK]

That makes sense.

Well if anyone knows a good dealer here, please let me know.

[08redgt500]

For those having TSB 08-16-04 Fly-wheel, clutch, tranny kit for the 07-09 GT500s done....I took the pictorial thread Grabber posted of his car getting the work done and created a PDF(large). It's posted on my ftp site: ftp.java-cafe.com under the public folder.

Click link below to retrieve:

ftp://ftp.java-cafe.com/pub/TSB08-16..._Parts.pdf.zip

I can also provide some Exec and Engineering contacts at Ford HQ and SVT if you are having issues with your dealer doing the work. PM me for that info..

[SLB8SNK]

Great info... and BTW, I did indeed finally get hooked up with TWO Ford dealers here... Both Ford Country and Gaudin Ford are family owned, by the same family. I finally had a good experience with them both, so will try them out on the GT500 as soon as the CAI and Mufflers show up... they (Ford Country which is closest to my home) will install both for $180. Yea I can do it, but if they do, I get the full Ford Warranty... anyways, I will report the trans/clutch issue as an "in traffic" issue, and see what they say. If nothing else, it will be in the system! Thanks again guys for all the great info!

[08redgt500]

Originally Posted by SLB8SNK

Great info... and BTW, I did indeed finally get hooked up with TWO Ford dealers here... Both Ford Country and Gaudin Ford are family owned, by the same family. I finally had a good experience with them both, so will try them out on the GT500 as soon as the CAI and Mufflers show up... they (Ford Country which is closest to my home) will install both for $180. Yea I can do it, but if they do, I get the full Ford Warranty... anyways, I will report the trans/clutch issue as an "in traffic" issue, and see what they say. If nothing else, it will be in the system! Thanks again guys for all the great info!

When I first brought my '08 GT500 in for the TSB, after only ~2.5K miles, the dealership agreed to do it. They setup the order for the kit(s) while I was standing there, and THEN the next morning I get a call from the Service Director's office informing me that after review the TSB was being declined. The SVT tech that took the car out with me, and said it should be done was hushed when I tried to contest their decision. That is when I escalated to the Sr. Exec. Staff(read top 16 Execs. at FMC in MI) by guessing their emails, I actually got through to 9 out of the 15. Two days later the Exec. Mgt. liason(read person tasked to insulate the Execs. from people like me) called me, which I found interesting since the emails didn't have my phone number. Mmmhhh, must have looked in their customer's database and figured it out; ANYWAY, she was very helpful in getting the work completed, and they even flew one the SVT automotive engineers, a Joe U. who helped design the next fly-wheel and clutch, out to the dealership in Mt. Airy, MD where I had the work done. I got to pick his brain for several hours, which was great!

[Alloy Dave]

Originally Posted by 08redgt500

When I first brought my '08 GT500 in for the TSB, after only ~2.5K miles, the dealership agreed to do it. They setup the order for the kit(s) while I was standing there, and THEN the next morning I get a call from the Service Director's office informing me that after review the TSB was being declined. The SVT tech that took the car out with me, and said it should be done was hushed when I tried to contest their decision. That is when I escalated to the Sr. Exec. Staff(read top 16 Execs. at FMC in MI) by guessing their emails, I actually got through to 9 out of the 15. Two days later the Exec. Mgt. liason(read person tasked to insulate the Execs. from people like me) called me, which I found interesting since the emails didn't have my phone number. Mmmhhh, must have looked in their customer's database and figured it out; ANYWAY, she was very helpful in getting the work completed, and they even flew one the SVT automotive engineers, a Joe U. who helped design the next fly-wheel and clutch, out to the dealership in Mt. Airy, MD where I had the work done. I got to pick his brain for several hours, which was great!

Did they tell you the reason for denial?

[68fastback]

Originally Posted by 08redgt500

When I first brought my '08 GT500 in for the TSB, after only ~2.5K miles, the dealership agreed to do it. They setup the order for the kit(s) while I was standing there, and THEN the next morning I get a call from the Service Director's office informing me that after review the TSB was being declined. The SVT tech that took the car out with me, and said it should be done was hushed when I tried to contest their decision. That is when I escalated to the Sr. Exec. Staff(read top 16 Execs. at FMC in MI) by guessing their emails, I actually got through to 9 out of the 15. Two days later the Exec. Mgt. liason(read person tasked to insulate the Execs. from people like me) called me, which I found interesting since the emails didn't have my phone number. Mmmhhh, must have looked in their customer's database and figured it out; ANYWAY, she was very helpful in getting the work completed, and they even flew one the SVT automotive engineers, a Joe U. who helped design the next fly-wheel and clutch, out to the dealership in Mt. Airy, MD where I had the work done. I got to pick his brain for several hours, which was great!

Welcome 08redgt500! -Dan

--

Sounds like Joe U is picking up where Bill W left off -- good to hear Ford's not assuming the TSB is the 'last stop' since there's always the possibility some new problem can turn up on TSB'd cars too.

Not easy to figure out true failure syndromes, design a fix, install some number of fixes only to find out that wasn't the whole problem (e.g. the missing teflon grease was not the whole problem, etc) only to have to cycle thru it all again. Good to hear Ford is having at least one person dogging the TSB results.

It's unfortunate so many were inconvenienced with this whole clutch/tranny fiasco -- some two or three times (depending how early). Hopefully the TSB is it -- but good to hear it's being actively managed.

[rpretzel]

Originally Posted by 68fastback

...It's unfortunate so many were inconvenienced with this whole clutch/tranny fiasco -- some two or three times (depending how early)...

Tell me about it. I sure hope this is the last time for me.

[68fastback]

Originally Posted by rpretzel

Tell me about it. I sure hope this is the last time for me.

...for sure ...even tho I don't have one and didn't go thru it I can surely sympathize.

It's almost like having a family member have surgery (ouch!)

;-)

[08redgt500]

Originally Posted by Alloy Dave

Did they tell you the reason for denial?

The Service Director said the car was not exhibiting ALL the symptoms in the TSB. Read the TSB and you will see that the cars do not have to exhibit all symptoms, only one. Mine was the shutter on takeoff, and after prolonged bumper to bumper, talking hours on I-95 in the summer, shifting is very difficult, and the shutter was really bad.

[08redgt500]

Originally Posted by Joe G

Many thanks!!


-

Thank you Joe G. for the kudo.

I had to go thru a very difficult and uncomfortable process to get re-work, that was acknowledged and verified by engineers, completed by the manufacturer of a high end $50K automobile, and if I can help others alleviate the difficulties they may be going thru to get their cars running the way they are marketed and intended to perform by the designers and engineers that build them, then I'm happy to do it.

[Dad's72Mach]

Well I guess it's time to stop deluding myself that my car is free of the clutch problem, I just can't ignore the signs anymore. I have the shudder on slow starts, at times it is difficult to shift into first and second, a couple times I have had significant gear grinding going into second(I thought it was me not depressing the clutch fully but the last time it happened I know I had it all the way to the floor), and I swear the other day it creeped a little with the clutch engaged and in first gear.

My main worry is having bought the car several hundred miles away and now having to take it for warranty service at a dealership I didn't buy from. Of course if they hadn't of been idiots about the dealer markup they would have had the sale. The whole thing just makes me kind of queasy. Guess I might as well take it in and get it over with.

Do I make an appointment specifically for TSB assessment or should I say I'm having problems and need it looked at? Also is there a GT500 specific description of jacking points so I can make sure they are doing it right? I've read posts on other sites complaining about damage due to improper lifting.

Thanks for the help. I think I may have to take a mood stabilizer before I go in.

[08redgt500]

Originally Posted by Dad's72Mach

Well I guess it's time to stop deluding myself that my car is free of the clutch problem, I just can't ignore the signs anymore. I have the shudder on slow starts, at times it is difficult to shift into first and second, a couple times I have had significant gear grinding going into second(I thought it was me not depressing the clutch fully but the last time it happened I know I had it all the way to the floor), and I swear the other day it creeped a little with the clutch engaged and in first gear.

My main worry is having bought the car several hundred miles away and now having to take it for warranty service at a dealership I didn't buy from. Of course if they hadn't of been idiots about the dealer markup they would have had the sale. The whole thing just makes me kind of queasy. Guess I might as well take it in and get it over with.

Do I make an appointment specifically for TSB assessment or should I say I'm having problems and need it looked at? Also is there a GT500 specific description of jacking points so I can make sure they are doing it right? I've read posts on other sites complaining about damage due to improper lifting.

Thanks for the help. I think I may have to take a mood stabilizer before I go in.

Check out a few dealerships, it doesn't matter that it is one you didn't purchase from. The dealership charges back the warranty work, and unless the dealership has been engaging in shenanigans with warranty claims, they don't care. The one that did mine was not the one where I bought it. Ask how many SVT techs they have on staff, and tend to go with a larger, newer dealership; they will be most likely to have the specialized tools for the tranny kit build. Your car has all the symptoms BTW and will need the FULL TSB done, don't let them tell you anything else. Pick one that has the above criteria, print out the TSB, call them and specifically mention the TSB number and that your car has the symptoms. Go down, insist that an SVT tech go for a ride with you,(it wouldn't hurt to drive around for about 2 hours before hand if you can, so the symptoms are clearly visible), demonstate it to him, then make sure he drives it too. They will most likely write it up and order the parts with you there. It could take from 3-10 days to get the parts. If you have any issues with refusal to do the work, PM me and I will give you the name, phone number(s) and emails of people that will assure it gets done, and done right. They(Ford) are standing behind the cars, they just need a little prodding to do the right thing. See TSB attached. Jack points are shown in your Owner's manual, there are four notches, one just behind the front wheel and one just ahead of the rear wheel, along the lower edge of the rocker panels. Same place the car jack would go if the car had a car jack. ;)

[The Bone]

Well Dad
I have the same concerns and service departments dont care because they think it is just another Mustang. We all know better If it was a ford GT than it would get the star treatment. Who will care about the car the way we do and will they do a good job or screw it up worse. will they leave it out in the rain will they drive it will they damage it do they even care???
How does Creamsickle boy do what no other person can?
I also have a early car and I know it is just a matter of time before my baby has to go under the knife.
Art