Subject: 
2004 Expedition Alignment issues:


Thu, 25 Aug 2005 17:54:01 -0700
Date:    





To who this concerns,

My 2004 Expedition has had alignment issues from day of ownership.
I turned in my Expedition for warranty due to extreme vibration in the 
steering/tires.
Mel Clayton Ford in Phoenix, Arizona stated that the tires were OUT OF 
ROUND, so they replaced the set of four.
I stated that I knew of one friend and one family member that had the 
same issue, and the tires were prematurely wearing due to alignment 
drifting out.Note, my first set of tires were replaced at 287 miles.
Mel Clayton Ford insisted it was just the tires, so no alignment was 
done by Ford Service.  Four new tires were installed.

Within ~3000 miles the second set of new tires were heavily cupped and 
the steering vibration was horrible.
Unfortunately I waited a couple 1000 extra mile before bringing in for 
warranty.
This time I wrote a letter for Mel Clayton Ford service group to check 
alignment and anything else related to suspension parts.  And again 
reminded them that my friend and family Expedition owner had to have 
alignment and suspension work to fix the premature tire wear. (Completed 
by Mel Clayton Ford)
Again, no alignment was done, and they replaced just the front tires.  
"Sorry, but we just had a rash of bad tires", service rep.

I drove on these new tires and they were again ruined within a couple 
thousand miles.  At ~9000 miles on the Expedition I wrote up a letter 
stating I wanted the alignment completed and the proper kit installed to 
fix the issue.  Again they would not do the work.  This time only 
replacing ONE tire on the front.  I explained that I wanted the service 
completed, because the TIRES ARE NOT THE ISSUE.
Mel Clayton service refused.

Next I went on a trip from Arizona to Montana and back.  This is just 
over 3000 miles round trip.  Again the new tire and other front tire are 
causing extreme steering wheel shake.
Now Mel Clayton Service wants to do the Alignment, but wouldn't you 
guess, it is past 12000 miles, so alignments are no longer covered under 
warranty.
Wow, talk about taking a LOYAL CUSTOMER for a ride.  I have owned 7 Ford 
Vehicles in the last 13 years, and have had very good results with all, 
until I started buying my vehicles from Mel Clayton Ford.  Now with Mel 
Clayton Ford service group I get screwed every time, because the do 
HORRIBLE or NO work at all when you ask for warranty service.
And best of all they push off the warranty issue until it is no longer 
under warranty, and then they want to fix it at MY cost.  CON ARTISTS!

In short I will be fighting this one every step of the way.

But for you Expedition owners, beware that I know of three NEW 
Expeditions that have all had this same issue.  It is not a recall by 
Ford, yet it is an issue that needs to be addressed.  If you do take it 
in for warranty MAKE THEM DO THE WORK before 12,000 miles, or else you 
will PAY.

I am still a FORD fan, and will most likely own Ford trucks or Mustangs 
for a long time, but beware of Mel Clayton Ford Service Group and 
Expedition suspensions.  (2003 and 2004 model years so far)
And my brother-in-law has an explorer, and it also have bad steering 
vibration.  Might be the same issue, but not sure.

A concerned by loyal Ford Fan,


Mike S.