Collect Data on "D" code failure? -Poll-

[BadAndy]

I've read hours upon hours of posts from what seems to be a zillion people who have had their front springs (D codes) "fail" which results from a less than desireable ride from a $45K vehicle. Right now as we speak my X sits in the shop with 7500 mi. getting its bad springs replaced. I don't have the details yet but all the dealer would say is yes they are bad... duh! and NO FORD will NOT let us replace them with "Truck" springs. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img] The guy slipped and did mention that ford would not pay for them. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif[/img] I'm stuck with the "D"s again. I told him, "Based on the vehicles I've seen, we'll be doin' this again!".

Sorry for being a little winded. Here is my question. Do you think it would be a worthy effort to collect actual data from owners of X-PSDs. I'm envisioning that this could be used by us owners as evidence that there really is a problem, and our dealers would have the information to back us up and get it "fixed" right.

What do you think [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]




Andy

[CHPMustang]

Sounds like a change of dealership should be in order [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

BILL

[wildhare]

I what you said about Ford not paying for this repair is true, then there is no way I would pay to have "D" code springs installed at the shop. If I'm paying, I'm getting whatever I want to pay for.
Just my opinion but??? [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]
As to your poll, I doubt it would help but my "D" codes are sagging. There isn't room to get one finger between the bump stop and the spring pad.
Sid

[CHPMustang]

I wouldn't expect the price of U or V codes to be any different than D's.

Sid I was unable as well to get a fingertip in between the spring top and bump stop and moved very quickly to get replacement springs.

No wonder my neck always was sore after a drive around local roads. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img]

BILL

[wildhare]

I priced springs today at Ford. There is about a $10.00 difference between "V" codes and "W" or "X" codes. (~list $140.00 "V"/ ~$150 "W" or "X") My cost is about $125.00 a spring for the "X" codes. I am studying whether going to the Ford springs or looking into a lift kit is in order. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]
Or maybe I should just go back to 285 tires and quit spending money. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]
Either way, I would never replace "D" codes with a new set of "D" codes.
Sid

[CHPMustang]

Wouldn't make sense at all to replace the springs with the same [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img]

The X spring can give you a good start though to healthy lft on the front [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

I run the V's and can go up a couple sizes on our's before going with The Edge suspension lift.

It's only money [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

BILL

[BadAndy]

The dealer's angle is that when they turn in the warranty paperwork it has a VIN that shows the vehicle being worked on. The V codes are from a truck and they said Ford wouldn't pay form them because it's not a OEM replacement.

Only money... yes, but first choice is to have the source foot the bill.

Here's a question that just came to mind. When we bought our X there was another new 2002 sitting next to our's. It was a black "no boundries" edition. It either had some VERY healthy springs, or it had a lift. Do you think that was a dealer mod? or What?
We would have bought it, but black was the one color we DIDN'T want.

Andy

[Toolman1]

Did that Black No Boundaries Excursion have the PSD? If not, that could certainly account for a higher stance.

I mean no disrespect, but in my humble opinion, I think you're wasting your time with this poll. It has been determined by many other Ex owners that Ford's official stand is; "If the springs are outside of their specification, they will replace them in kind."
Now, having said that, there are some who have been successful in getting Ford to upgrade their Ex with heavier springs....and get it covered under warranty. But, these cases are isolated, and are likely the result of a very customer oriented dealership that can "pull a few tricks" in the system to get this work paid for under warranty. I would say nine times out of ten, if you ask them (Ford) to upgrade your springs under warranty, the standard response will be, "No, we can't do that."

Ford grossly under equipped the front suspensions for the PSD Excursion, that much we know. Getting them to acknowledge and foot the bill to correct the deficiency is whole 'nother ball game. I went to my dealer twice for this condition and each time they told me that the truck was within spec, so there was nothing they could do for me. Before upgrading (to U-Codes), my springs were only 1/2" from the bump stops...and according to the Ford Engineers, this is within spec's. Silly as it may sound, the truck would have to be nearly resting on the bump stops for it to be deemed as "out of spec". I got tired of asking, so I just replaced them myself. One of the best upgrades to date! Would I have liked Ford to pay for this upgrade...sure. Who wouldn't.
The bottomline is, unless it's a safety issue that has been determined to incur significant liabilities, Ford will never admit to a problem. Much like the cackle issue. But "cackle" has been beaten to death in these forums, so I won't go there.
Cheers, Toolman1

[IMartin]

What about just upgrading to the 03 jounce bumpers? That would provide a lot more clearance and be less costly.

[BadAndy]

Toolman,
That No Boundries did have a PSD and since my dealer just happen to call me a couple of minutes ago, I asked, and it is a factory lift. "completely different vehicle, IT is designed to go off road" - the service guy said... [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img]

No disrespect taken. That's why I asked. I keep seeing the number of members for these forums sky rocket and wonder if we could be using the sheer mass as one united force. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif[/img] Maybe I'm too optimistic.

My springs at 7,000mi had enough clearance I could put my thumb between them and the stop but could not rotate it sideways. They said it was "out of spec". I would think I should be able to stick my fist in there! My feeling is that when those springs hit those stops the increase of pressure between the tires and the road could be enough to loose traction at an undesireable time. That is a safety issue. Especially when my wife hooks up her 3-horse trailer or we head up to the mountains when the roads are slick.

Andy

Anyway,

[Bruce1954]

OK I'll play dumb
Factory lift on an X, What the heck is that?

[CHPMustang]

Ditto on that Bruce,I want one of those.

[BadAndy]

Being a fairly new X/PSD owner, I'm still learnin' [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img].

I'm tellin' ya. This No Boundaries X was pretty dang nice, but it was black [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img].
From my 5 month old memory... It looked like it had about a 3" lift, oversize tires & custom wheels, and a blacked out front grill and bumper. There may have been some interior things too??

Your question really has me confused now.[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] I did some searching and found an Excursion Brocure showing the No Boundaries option group. The 2002 brochure mentions it but the 2003 brochure that was on the ford site does not. It looks as though it was only an appearance package.

Now I'm really interested in what the dealer has to say about this. It really looks as though it was a dealer mod but they claim it wasn't. If it was done by them, that would mean that they can put on, and warranty an aftermarket suspension (lift) but can't swap out my defective D codes for Vs? Hmmmm? I have a ton of questions that need answers when I pick up my rig. If this is a "baffle the customer with B.S." thing, I'm going to be pissed! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img]


Andy

[anoxic]

Andy,

Now I'm not saying it was not a factory installed lift, but I have never heard of one. More than likely it was dealer installed. Local dealership here in town likes to keep one or two SD all tricked out. They include lifts, Western Diesel chip, exhaust and other mods. They say that if you buy the trucks from them then there will not be any "warranty" concerns.

More than likely this is the case on what you are seeing on the lot. They are just steering you a little wrong saying it is a factory job, but more than likely something they had done.

What is really interesting is that you have found a 2002 No Boundaries edition X.

"Ford will announce an all new 2002 Excursion 'Limited Premier' Group (17C package) which will only be available on Limited and Limited Ultimate arrays from mid-November. The package is $240.00 MSRP. The eligible units include: 2002 Limited and Limited Ultimate 4x2 and 4x4 models.

Three different monochromatic paint schemes are available: Aspen Green, Ebony and Mineral Gray. The treatment includes body colored grille, lower body color cladding and body color bumper with Arizona beige lower valence for Aspen Green/Mineral Gray and a Carbon Black valence panel for Ebony.

Interior enhancements include: Unique two-tone leather trimmed captain's chairs, Cherry wood grain pattern and dual sided (carpet/rubber) utility mat.

JOB1 (start of production) is 15 January 2002 and will end with the 2002 model year. The 'No Boundaries' monochromatic paint group is no longer available." BLUEOVALNEWS

[diesel_doctor]

I don't know about the no bondaries but we have an all black X. Everything is black bumpers trim and all. Looks pretty sweet, the bump stops are a little over an inch away right now. 2000 miles on it.