Frustrated to no end

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Jason Housman

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Feb 28, 2006
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Location
Easton, PA
My Trac has been nothing but an expensive problem over the past couple of years. Never have I had anything simple like a thermostat go or a window switch die. It's extremely frustrating.



Thursday night I was driving From PA to NJ to my parents when I heard some banging sounds followed by a clicking that increased with speed. I made it to my parents but things got worse as I drove. When the road was uneven or banked slightly you could hear a groaning and rubbing sound and it felt like the 4wd was trying to engage. After I got off of the highway I noticed on tight turns that you had to fight to make the truck actually turn and it made an extremely loud clunking noise. Instead of driving it all the way back to PA I dropped it off at a shop in NJ and had my wife meet me there so I could get home. The shop called me this afternoon. My transfer case is shot. $1200 for one from a junkyard and installed, or $2200 for one from Jasper and installed. I opted for the cheaper one as I am on somewhat of a budget.



I have a 2002 4wd Trac and this is what has been replaced since i got it in 04.



Rear was replaced under warranty at 75k miles

Trans blew and was replaced under warranty at 97k miles

Motor sucked a valve at 132k, I paid to have a new Jasper put in, twice, but that's a whole other story.



I'm just getting aggravated. I have an entire new drivetrain. If the truck wasn't paid off I wouldn't of spent the money to put the motor in. Also, about 2 weeks ago I had my truck in for service and they replaced the rear pinion seal and told me my transfer case was leaking. I asked if it was ok to drive and was told it didn't look serious and they didn't see any immediate problems but to keep an eye on it. What other major component can go wrong next? It's ridiculous.
 
I would be frustrated also. Since you bought it used, I wonder if the previous owner ever serviced it?
 
Jason,

If you are not obligated to the case you have mentioned,,, I can help you out to a LARGE degree on a much more financial bottom line..



Will post a few prices in a moment...
 
There are three different ones, but here are a few prices for the first one listed to give you an example...



4 Dr, Sport Trac, ID 1L54-AB

4 Dr, Sport Trac, ID 1L54-AC

4 Dr, Sport Trac, ID 1L54-CA



Not to make you literally ill,,, but here you go...



2001

Transfer Case

Ford Explorer 4X4 (part time, ele shft), 2 Dr (Spt), --57K 57,000 A 26T073 $98.67 Tiverton Auto Parts USA-RI(Tiverton) Request_Quote 1-800-662-5232 Request_Insurance_Quote





Transfer Case

NEW $98 5th Street Auto Parts USA-PA(Philadelphia) Request_Quote 1-888-343-8478 1-888-FIFTHST Request_Insurance_Quote



Transfer Case

NEW $98 5th Street Auto Parts USA-PA(Philadelphia) Request_Quote 1-888-343-8478 1-888-FIFTHST Request_Insurance_Quote

2001

Transfer Case

Ford Explorer 1l54-ab 85,418 A D5298 $97.2 PRP - Pete's Auto and Truck Parts, Inc. USA-MI(Jenison) Request_Quote 1-800-968-7383 Request_Insurance_Quote



2001

Transfer Case

Ford Explorer 4.0,A G81302 $95 Ace Auto Parts USA-MN(Saint-Paul) Request_Quote 1-800-637-6752 Request_Insurance_Quote

2001

Transfer Case

Ford Explorer OFF ON TRAINY RACK B 1L54-AB 41,000 A 002474 $95 Auto Network, Inc. USA-IN(Fairmount) E-mail 1-765-948-3659

2001

Transfer Case

Ford Explorer 4x4 780,000 C 002844 $95 Auto Network, Inc. USA-IN(Fairmount) E-mail 1-765-948-3659

2001

Transfer Case

Ford Explorer 20030634 $94.6 PRP- Midway Auto Parts, Inc. USA-MO(Kansas-City) E-mail 1-816-242-0100

2001

Transfer Case

Ford Explorer PARTIME 20031504 $94.6 PRP- Midway Auto Parts, Inc. USA-MO(Kansas-City) E-mail 1-816-242-0100

2001

Transfer Case

Ford Explorer SF050710 $94.6 PRP- Midway Auto Parts, Inc. USA-MO(Kansas-City) E-mail 1-816-242-0100

2001

Transfer Case

Ford Explorer 20041318 $94.6 PRP- Midway Auto Parts, Inc. USA-MO(Kansas-City) E-mail 1-816-242-0100

2001

Transfer Case

Ford Explorer SFK51352 $94.6 PRP- Midway Auto Parts, Inc. USA-MO(Kansas-City) E-mail 1-816-242-0100

2002

Transfer Case

Ford Explorer 20080241 $94.6 PRP- Midway Auto Parts, Inc. USA-MO(Kansas-City) E-mail 1-816-242-0100

2001

Transfer Case

Ford Explorer SF050656 $94.6 PRP- Midway Auto Parts, Inc. USA-MO(Kansas-City) E-mail 1-816-242-0100

2001

Transfer Case

Ford Explorer LESS MTR 20021744 $94.6 PRP- Midway Auto Parts, Inc. USA-MO(Kansas-City) E-mail 1-816-242-0100

2001

Transfer Case

Ford Explorer 20070866 $93.5 PRP- Midway Auto Parts, Inc. USA-MO(Kansas-City) E-mail 1-816-242-0100

2001

Transfer Case

Ford Explorer 65K 66,000 00003630 $82.5 Metro Auto Salvage, Inc. USA-MN(Lakeville) E-mail 1-800-252-5831

2001

Transfer Case

Ford Explorer 52,000 00004426 $82.5 Metro Auto Salvage, Inc. USA-MN(Lakeville) E-mail 1-800-252-5831

2001

Transfer Case

Ford Explorer 84K 84,000 00005066 $82.5 Metro Auto Salvage, Inc. USA-MN(Lakeville) E-mail 1-800-252-5831



This is only a partial list. The main list has over 800 available. A few cheaper than what I have listed but HIGH miles on them.



Even the cases with 15,000 miles are only going for $225.00...



Let me know if you need one or simply call the supplier your self. I have listed their contact number as well as the price..
 
Sounds like it was not maintained by the previous owners and that it should have been gone over, all fluids and cases check as soon as you bought it...



IT does suck and is very frustrating, I got rid of all my used cars and swore i would never buy a used car/truck again.....



I get a brand new POS before I buy used..



Todd Z
 
Sorry to hear about your troubles. I have had my 2004 Sport Trac for 4 years now and never had a problem. Just do the service check ups.:)
 
Nickle and diming with a thousand dollars or more a year in repairs is not that uncommon for domestic vehicles with over 70k miles. In many ways it comes with the territory.



The big three have improved quality the past few decades. That is clear. Less defects coming off the line and mostly reliable through the warrany period. Still, at a certain point, planned obsolecence seems to kick in.



Expect repairs once off warranty. It comes with the territory.



TJR
 
Thanks Coastie. I didn't even think to ask you here before I wound up with anything. Like I said it broke down in NJ about an hour from home so when they called it was pretty much just do it and get it back to me. My wife and I may swap vehicles sometime soon. She drives a Mazda Protege5 (fun car to drive) and only commutes just under 4 miles both ways to work, whereas I drive just under 50 miles both ways. I'm just a little weary about her parking it on the street at a college campus all the time. I fear for the safety of my bumpers.



TJR- I regularly maintained the Trac pretty regularly. I may not have had the 60k service at 60k but it was at about 66k. The coolant was flushed regularly every October. Oil changes were kept up. Since I've gotten the new motor I've switched to Mobil1. That's what frustrates me. I did the "preventative" maintenance and seemed to not prevent anything. Hopefully I have better luck now that the entire drivetrain has been replaced.
 
My 02 has never been touched by a mechanic or had any repairs or issues.

<knock on wood>

I don't take the best care of it, but try to do what's right.

I guess I'm lucky....so far.



Sorry for all your troubles. I feel for ya, buddy.
 
John,



Yeah, some here will not-so-subtly try to imply that since they service their vehicles and they haven't had issues that it must be you.



Often it is simply a matter of luck. If a certain defect only hits 1 in 5 (for example) after 70k miles, then 4 out of 5 are very happy customers...but 20% of the owners aren't so happy.



We hear more from the unhappy folks, that is true.



I've said it before, I'll say it again, a car should be trouble-free for at least 120k miles...not 36k (which is all the big three used to worry about), or 70k (which is what they are more worried about now).



TJR
 

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