subframe recall. not the usual problem.

[rcsavage]

ok guys, attached below is a picture of what the shop found when they cut a hole on the drivers side of my car. they were stumped as well as I. is this what its supposed to look like? if so, how do we get the old nut out as it looks like one huge plate welded to the floor and is much too big to take out of the newly drilled hole. there was no hole in the floor before i took it to the shop, so it could not have had the recall performed. is there any other way to access those nuts besides cutting a floor. im thinking the past owner might have had something done. thanks in advance.

 

[Storm-Chaser]

That's not a factory subframe kit repair, that's for sure. Two possibilities.


First, someone had this done by a non-Ford service shop (ie. someone unaware of the recall had the subframe drop and took it to be repaired).

Second, this was one of the "early" subframe failures, before the problem had been "acknowledged" and the Ford recall was announced (and recall kits were made available).


Was there any evidence from below, that the replacement "nut" had been welded in? Was it this way on both sides?

Also, by the look of the image, I would pull the carpet back further and make sure the access hole/plug wasn't place higher/lower on the floorboard pan.

 

[rcsavage]

i have not seem the underside of the chassis where the nut would be, since the subframe blocks it. i have not seen the other side since the shop didn't cut the other side out. when they saw this, they were shocked and stopped. i will look to see if there is another hole, but i didnt see anything when i pulled the carpet up. this really has me stumped. i contacted the previous, who used to be a member here, but he has not answered yet.

Edit: i meant to include that i told the shop to go ahead and cut a hole on the passenger side as thats the affected side(it dropped). i guess if the other side is normal, ill let the drivers side be, and it will just be a mystery.

Edit #2: does anyone have a scan of the instructions that come with the recall kits? im trying to explain this to friends and they aren't getting it.

 

[ohfosho]

so the bolt didnt drop, but the subframe did eh... i got one of them

 

[rcsavage]

no. that picture is of the drivers side. the passenger side is the side that failed. i dropped the subframe during the engine swap and that bolt wouldn't tighten up. the nut is spinning, but i haven't seen it yet.(the shop hasn't called me yet)

 

[Storm-Chaser]

You know if the SHO was ever titled/registered in one of the recall states, that Ford is obligated to fix it, don't you? (search 98S36)

 

[rcsavage]

yes but with this recent discovery, im not sure i would trust a Ford tech. im paying this shop to do the work so they are more likely not to hack it up.(plus i know the owner, decent guy) i can only imagine what a ford tech would do to this 90's taurus when he runs into a problem like this, and he doesn't care about it because hes not getting paid for it anyway.

 

[Kens1992mtxSHO]

Dealerships bill the automobile manufacturer for all warranty/recall work done for vehicles, including labor. So he actually does get paid for that work.

 

[rcsavage]

still rather trust an independent shop to do the work. they cut the hole and the passenger side is normal. but it had the updated nut. i pulled the carpet and insulation way back and they were no other holes. how did the previous owner get this thing in there?

 

[NJSHO]

I think my car had something like that happen. When I went to the ford dealership, they said someone had welded something. I never made it to the dealership to look at it, but they had to send the car to a frame shop where the part that was directly under the nutplate was cut and bent back or removed to gain access to the welded nut plate. After they did that they welded it all back up and continued with the recall as normal. A free recall ended up costing me $200.

 

[93rev2sev]

You know if the SHO was ever titled/registered in one of the recall states, that Ford is obligated to fix it, don't you? (search 98S36)

In reality, they can and have refused performing the recall because their "computer said it's been done already"

 

[Storm-Chaser]

Yes, dealing with the Ford national Customer Relationship Center (800.392.3673) is hit or miss. In fighting to get mine done, I got rude responses and in one case was hung-up on.


Here's how I finally got my subframe issue resolved.

First, find out which Ford dealership purportedly did the recall (ie. fraudlently signed it off). Call the service department and explain what you've found. If you have photo-documentation you can email to them, even better! Next, get a local Ford dealer service department to document that the recall has not been accomplished, then ask that the recall be honored. Someone previously reported that their dealer called an unlisted Ford number and got authorization from Ford to accomplish the recall correctly. If that doesn't work, . . . .

Call the service department back for the dealer that made the warranty claim to Ford (ie. got paid for labor and parts for the recall it didn't do) and ask how they intent to handle it. At this point the service manager stated they'd do want was necessary to correct the problem. While I did have to spend the time on the phone and initially pay for the repair, the dealership did reimburse me for the full cost of the repair, and it appears I will also get reimbursed for the recall kit that was used (servicing dealer didn't have one) and the DIS that was damaged when the subframe bolt dropped.

If you still get nowhere, get at least two additional service claim tickets indicating that the recall has not been done. Make sure they document both the VIN number and mileage on the service ticket claim sheets. Then mail copies of the service sheets to the dealership via Certified Mail, Return Receipt (this is kinda like the 'shot-across-the-bow' move). At the bottom of your letter to the dealership, "cc" the National Traffic Highway Saftey Administration. Then mail copies (with your written complaint) to:

U.S. Department
of Transportation

National Highway
Traffic Safety
Administration
​

Here is a reference thread on the recall (98S36)

Subframe recall on 95?
​

Here is the wording on my service ticket:

A REPLACE SUBFRAME BOLT PER RECALL
. . . . M1 VARIFIED SUBFRAME BOLT RECALL NOT
. . . . . . . . COMPLETE INSTALL NEW SUBFRAME BOLTS
. . . . . . . . AND BUSHING REAR
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 2431 . . CP . . 1.60 . . . . . . . . 171.20 . . . . . 171.20
CUSTOMER PAY SHOP CHARGES FOR REPAIR ORDER . . . . . . . . . . .17.20
​

 

[93rev2sev]

Or just do it yourself in about an hour and a half for $20.

 

[rcsavage]

alright guys,well i got my car back from the shop. all buttoned up and riding great(handling wise). i would still like to know what happened to the drivers side but i guess it will just remain a mystery.