Alignment/steering issue unresolved

[KaitlynWill]

Let me preface this post with the fact that I am at my wits end with my local ford dealership and I feel helpless. The service department has me feeling like a hypochondriac about my car. They are consistently telling me they “don’t hear any noises” or “didn’t notice anything wrong”. Well I took my bronco sport 2 weeks ago for a clicking/vibrating noise that I notice when I’m idling (the sound happens about 98% of the time but of course they didn’t hear it while they had it), but I also mentioned that the steering wheel had to be held tilted to the left and that if I straighten it, the car will go off to the right. The service advisor said I needed an alignment so I agreed. I pick up the car and of course, I immediately notice that the issue wasn’t resolved, not even remotely improved. So I call and say I want it fixed or I want my money back. I take it back in, they “re-perform” the alignment, said they noticed a few things slightly off, but that it should be all good now. Of course, I pick it up and things are still the same. No improvement at all, steering wheel still has to be held to the left.

So my questions are 1) could there be some other issue that isn’t related to the alignment? 2) do you think the technicians are just bullshitting me and doing sloppy work? 3) I have had countless problems with this service Center in the few short months I’ve had the car, is that normal? Anyone else experience unprofessionalism and incompetence at their local Center?

Sponsored

 

[Meanderthal]

It sounds like you should do a little internet research on your dealership's service department. If you see a lot of poor reviews, you should be looking to go to another service center. That research might point you to another one that is much preferred in your area.

Usually the "pulls to the right" even after alignment is related to the "crown" of the road. You might want to try driving on different roads and see if the pull is ever negated, maybe try a mall parking lot (they are empty these days).

 

[KaitlynWill]

I’ve read the reviews, and yes, they’re terrible. But so are the reviews at other “nearby” locations. The next closest location to me is 40 minutes, and then up from there, and they all have horrible service reviews. Maybe it’s a SoCal thing, I’m originally from Florida and every single day, I’m baffled by the lack of customer service and competence in the state. But this is why I say I’m at the end of my rope, and don’t have any other options, at least when it comes to warranty work.
But I’ve noticed that the issue is constant regardless of where I’m driving. Driving my husband’s Tesla or the countless rental cars that Ford has provided with me, all on the exact same roads, don’t have the same issue as my car, so I’m not inclined to think it’s the road.

 

[RiotfunK]

Go to an Indy shop for alignment. I had same issues with pull on mine off the lot. Ford dealer was useless.

 

[69cuda340s]

You don't have to get an alignment at dealer most auto repair shops have the equipment to do the alignment.

 

[GT1]

I’ve read the reviews, and yes, they’re terrible. But so are the reviews at other “nearby” locations. The next closest location to me is 40 minutes, and then up from there, and they all have horrible service reviews. Maybe it’s a SoCal thing, I’m originally from Florida and every single day, I’m baffled by the lack of customer service and competence in the state. But this is why I say I’m at the end of my rope, and don’t have any other options, at least when it comes to warranty work.
But I’ve noticed that the issue is constant regardless of where I’m driving. Driving my husband’s Tesla or the countless rental cars that Ford has provided with me, all on the exact same roads, don’t have the same issue as my car, so I’m not inclined to think it’s the road.

Check out this recent post on alignment
Rear sliding | 2021+ Ford Bronco Sport Forum - Broncosportforum.com

 

[KaitlynWill]

You don't have to get an alignment at dealer most auto repair shops have the equipment to do the alignment.

Yes, I do know that. But I was already at Ford so I figured I’d have them do it. At this point, I’ve already paid for ford to do it.

 

[seoden88]

Yes, I do know that. But I was already at Ford so I figured I’d have them do it. At this point, I’ve already paid for ford to do it.

take it to an independent shop and if its out of alignment take those printed results back to ford dealer and ask for a refund. tick or clicking noise at idle is probably injectors they can be loud.

 

[RiotfunK]

I already paid Ford also. But the Indy shop did it right.

 

[FakeCowboy]

You should request to have the shop foreman take a road test with you if you haven't already.

take it to an independent shop and if its out of alignment take those printed results back to ford dealer and ask for a refund. tick or clicking noise at idle is probably injectors they can be loud.

Usually it's actually the mechanically driven high pressure fuel pump that most people mistake for a bad lifter or valve issue. It's alarming for people who have never owned a direct injected vehicle.

 

[bjbena]

take it to an independent shop and if its out of alignment take those printed results back to ford dealer and ask for a refund. tick or clicking noise at idle is probably injectors they can be loud.

THIS!

It may involve having to pay the independent shop, but they normally can provide a printout showing if/how much the car was out of alignment. If it still was, have them do it, take the receipt/print out to Ford and ask for your money back.

There are certain things I PERSONALLY wouldn't want Ford to do ...pretty much anything NOT under warranty. I paid a local shop to align my 20 EcoSport and guess what? They did it right the first time! Were they cheaper than Ford? Nope, but I supported a local business and knew based of previous experience they would do it right the first time.

 

[MoFoCo]

Keep trying different dealers if you don't want to pay out of pocket. A lot of times it's just a matter of finding the right technician who has seen the problem before. Some of these "technicians" seem like they might have been hired to sweep the floor the week before.

I had an elusive shudder in my Transit's torque converter. It was in and out of the local dealer 3x for weeks at a time and every time they couldn't find a problem. Multiple technicians, and the service manager kept gaslighting me. This was all happening 300 miles before my warranty expired, so I wasn't going to give up.

I heard from another forum member who had the same problem, and he had it diagnosed at a different dealer. I went there and within 15 minutes had a ride-along with an old-timer who felt/heard the shudder and knew exactly what to do. Had the van back in a week and the problem was gone. Would have been a $3,500 repair out of warranty.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

Let me preface this post with the fact that I am at my wits end with my local ford dealership and I feel helpless. The service department has me feeling like a hypochondriac about my car. They are consistently telling me they “don’t hear any noises” or “didn’t notice anything wrong”. Well I took my bronco sport 2 weeks ago for a clicking/vibrating noise that I notice when I’m idling (the sound happens about 98% of the time but of course they didn’t hear it while they had it), but I also mentioned that the steering wheel had to be held tilted to the left and that if I straighten it, the car will go off to the right. The service advisor said I needed an alignment so I agreed. I pick up the car and of course, I immediately notice that the issue wasn’t resolved, not even remotely improved. So I call and say I want it fixed or I want my money back. I take it back in, they “re-perform” the alignment, said they noticed a few things slightly off, but that it should be all good now. Of course, I pick it up and things are still the same. No improvement at all, steering wheel still has to be held to the left.

So my questions are 1) could there be some other issue that isn’t related to the alignment? 2) do you think the technicians are just bullshitting me and doing sloppy work? 3) I have had countless problems with this service Center in the few short months I’ve had the car, is that normal? Anyone else experience unprofessionalism and incompetence at their local Center?

Hey there. Can you send over a private message with your VIN and the name/location of the Ford dealer you have been working with? I would like to take a closer look at your alignment concerns.

 

[Dperry285]

Let me preface this post with the fact that I am at my wits end with my local ford dealership and I feel helpless. The service department has me feeling like a hypochondriac about my car. They are consistently telling me they “don’t hear any noises” or “didn’t notice anything wrong”. Well I took my bronco sport 2 weeks ago for a clicking/vibrating noise that I notice when I’m idling (the sound happens about 98% of the time but of course they didn’t hear it while they had it), but I also mentioned that the steering wheel had to be held tilted to the left and that if I straighten it, the car will go off to the right. The service advisor said I needed an alignment so I agreed. I pick up the car and of course, I immediately notice that the issue wasn’t resolved, not even remotely improved. So I call and say I want it fixed or I want my money back. I take it back in, they “re-perform” the alignment, said they noticed a few things slightly off, but that it should be all good now. Of course, I pick it up and things are still the same. No improvement at all, steering wheel still has to be held to the left.

So my questions are 1) could there be some other issue that isn’t related to the alignment? 2) do you think the technicians are just bullshitting me and doing sloppy work? 3) I have had countless problems with this service Center in the few short months I’ve had the car, is that normal? Anyone else experience unprofessionalism and incompetence at their local Center?

The steering wasn't aligned straight when electrical motor was installed and now you see how it steers, the motor needs remounted when the wheels are straight, a big job they don't want to do so there blowing you off

 

[Scottie137]

It sounds like you should do a little internet research on your dealership's service department. If you see a lot of poor reviews, you should be looking to go to another service center. That research might point you to another one that is much preferred in your area.

Usually the "pulls to the right" even after alignment is related to the "crown" of the road. You might want to try driving on different roads and see if the pull is ever negated, maybe try a mall parking lot (they are empty these days).

The curvature of the road can definitely be a factor. The road outside of my neighborhood has a signifcant rightward bias/slope that always has me questioning my alignment. To the above point, find a different service department and see if your experience changes. For alignments, I have found sports/performanace car oriented independent shops sometimes do a much better job.

Sponsored