TSB 12-02-17 - Steering issue - New TSB?

[Kramer2K]

Originally Posted by Bostlaw

Anyone know how long the backorder for parts for this TSB is currently? My 2012 SE had a defective strut replaced during its first week of ownership back in May...The steering remained funky (exactly as described by many here)...the dealership looked at the car again on June 11 and said they ordered parts for the TSB...Despite my best efforts, I couldn't get a return phone call from the dealership regarding the status for 5 weeks...When I finally got someone to pay attention, I was told that a "computer glitch" resulted in there being no indication that parts were ever ordered...then I was asked what parts should have been ordered (it's almost funny in retrospect)...After getting through all that, I was told that the parts were backordered and that Ford wasn't even giving approximate delivery dates...It's now been 7 weeks since I was told that the steering components needed to be replaced per the TSB...and at least two weeks since parts were supposedly ordered for the "second time"... Hence, I'm looking for some idea as to the length of backorder independent of what the dealership tells me (I might be just a bit skeptical at this point)... Any responses appreciated... Thanks

It took my dealer 13 days from order to receipt of the parts. Then an additional 2 days to do the work. My car was there a total of 15 days.

[Bostlaw]

Thanks...the dealer now has the parts, although they didn't bother to call me when they came in, I found out by calling and checking...car goes in for the work next Friday...they said they can get it done in one day, I sure hope so...don't really want to be without a vehicle for a weekend...

[Some Guy From NY]

Welp as I expected, I spoke to the dealer today and the parts are "back ordered" and will take WEEKS to get in. The rep told me there is also another focus owner waiting for the parts to come in. His answer? "Call every week to see if the parts have come in."

Great.

[Some Guy From NY]

Called the dealer again today 8/13 and was informed "we are trying to get one from Canada for you, it may take another week. Call again next monday." What is annoying is, even if it came in next monday, I would have to wait until the week of August 26 to bring it in, because next week I am going away on vacation.

The only good thing is, I have minor curb rash on one of my rims... it is hard for me to even see, but since I know it is there it bothers me. They said they will give me a "good deal" to get it repaired for being "so understanding". We shall see...

[sgmfocus]

some guy from ny your parts might be in this week i took my car in on same day you posted (07-23) parts came in today, going in shop tomorrow

[Some Guy From NY]

Originally Posted by sgmfocus

some guy from ny your parts might be in this week i took my car in on same day you posted (07-23) parts came in today, going in shop tomorrow

Awesome! I will give my dealer a few extra days and call him on friday instead of monday. He said "it may come in friday or monday". We shall see!

[Some Guy From NY]

Wow. I truly have NO luck.

I spoke to the service manager today who said GOOD NEWS! YOUR STEERING RACK IS IN!......... BAD NEWS! OUR ALIGNMENT MACHINE IS BROKEN UNTIL THE MIDDLE OF THE NEXT WEEK! earliest I can bring in my focus is august 27th. FML

[sgmfocus]

Originally Posted by Some Guy From NY

Wow. I truly have NO luck.

I spoke to the service manager today who said GOOD NEWS! YOUR STEERING RACK IS IN!......... BAD NEWS! OUR ALIGNMENT MACHINE IS BROKEN UNTIL THE MIDDLE OF THE NEXT WEEK! earliest I can bring in my focus is august 27th. FML

that sucks, after close to a month wait for parts seems like dealer(ford) could fix it and take it someplace close for an alignment or call a company that comes to them that does mobile alignments.

update(long detailed ) dropped mine off wednesday night for thursday appoinment,they got it done same day(just under 9 hours),got my mother to pick it up since she lives close,and drive it up to where i worked 34 miles away,took her back to get her car then went home(total 80 miles from picking car up), backing in driveway car started making a horrible growling/grating noise in reverse,and in park.called Ford roadside assistance told them problems they said to drive it back to dealer didn't need towing. so drove back(shops closed) ,while waiting for friend to pick me up service manager stopped by to pickup something,talked to him said they(techs first rack replacement) probably didn't do quick learn procedure on transmission,since battery was disconected for so long. car ready to be picked up 3pm friday.went to get car,bolts for subframe either not put back in or had fallen out(in 80 miles) 7 more hours to recenter subframe.Best part is the same tech that f'd it up first,fixed it second time.after 3 and 1/2 week wait on parts,2 trips 2 days in shop have a cracked wheel cover,going back to dealer monday and see what they do. steering still messed up(low speed all over road), still have 8 other dealers close to take it to

[Some Guy From NY]

Originally Posted by sgmfocus

that sucks, after close to a month wait for parts seems like dealer(ford) could fix it and take it someplace close for an alignment or call a company that comes to them that does mobile alignments.

update(long detailed ) dropped mine off wednesday night for thursday appoinment,they got it done same day(just under 9 hours),got my mother to pick it up since she lives close,and drive it up to where i worked 34 miles away,took her back to get her car then went home(total 80 miles from picking car up), backing in driveway car started making a horrible growling/grating noise in reverse,and in park.called Ford roadside assistance told them problems they said to drive it back to dealer didn't need towing. so drove back(shops closed) ,while waiting for friend to pick me up service manager stopped by to pickup something,talked to him said they(techs first rack replacement) probably didn't do quick learn procedure on transmission,since battery was disconected for so long. car ready to be picked up 3pm friday.went to get car,bolts for subframe either not put back in or had fallen out(in 80 miles) 7 more hours to recenter subframe.Best part is the same tech that f'd it up first,fixed it second time.after 3 and 1/2 week wait on parts,2 trips 2 days in shop have a cracked wheel cover,going back to dealer monday and see what they do. steering still messed up(low speed all over road), still have 8 other dealers close to take it to

Wow man, that is horrible. You should drive straight to another dealer. f' that place.

[gzrfun]

Originally Posted by gzrfun

kjl2012,
Good to hear that the TSB did solve the problem. I'm waiting for the parts so my car can be fixed.

Here is a question for everyone: HOW SHOULD THE STEERING WORK?

I drove my 95 Escort with hydraulic power steering today and noted how it worked. The Escort is clearly a pleasure to steer compared to my new Focus. The Escort requires minimum effort to make a small change in steering, as you turn the steering wheel more the effort required increases. There is a direct relationship between steering effort and how much the wheel is turned. THIS IS HOW THE STEERING SHOULD WORK.

If your Focus's ELECTRIC POWER STEERING requires a significant effort for small steering corrections - it is not working properly.

The TSB was installed on my Focus and it appears to have solved the (ping-pong effect) problem.

Since I have been driving my old Escort with hydraulic assist steering, it is easy to see that there is a much different feel between the two steering systems. With the hydraulic assist system there is a distinct road feedback which allows the driver to sense the steering action. The EPAS system seems to be dependent on the driver steering solely by visual input without any physical feedback. Also, the EPAS system seems far more sensitive - a small steering wheel change results in a sharper turn than the hydraulic system and there is no slack in the steering.

Now that my steering is fixed, I'm really happy with the Focus.