Coil Spring breaks, Free Replacement!

[Mama's T-Bird]

Got home from a 2 mile trip to the doctor, and 97 Windstar was sitting 4" lower on the driver's side. Coil spring had broken, and spring shield (installed n/c 2001 to prevent rust getting to coil springs), was resting on the tire. Looked up the defective replacement bulletin on the internet, got a free-tow from AAA to the closest dealer. They replaced both coil springs for free. They said the extended warranty runs out Jan.07. They said I needed the front stabilizer bars and links replaced also--I let them do it for $150 since I figured they were taking a beating from Ford on the free work. Haven't been to a dealer in 10 years, and was quite surprised. It took them 5 days to get it done, but I'm retired and wasn't in a hurry to go anywhere anyway. They were curteous and upfront, and even ran a big checklist (I know-looking for more biz) on everything from battery power to wipers, to tire-tread depth, all fluid levels, etc. Never thought I'd be complimenting a dealer, but here's a tip of the hat to Paul Harvey Ford in Indianapolis.

[ModMech]

It is GREAT to hear that you got the quality service EVERY customer deserves.

Now, if only the rest of Ford's dealerships would adopt the same attitude.

BTW, I ahve also had good service from the Ford dealer in the Westmont (Chicago) IL. area. There on Ogden just east of 355.

[LeSabre97mint]

Hay MamaTbird

Was that replacement deadline of 07 for the 97's? I have a 95 with 200,000 on the clock and noticed the other day that both of my front springs were broken. I thought of ordering a "ready strut" (strut with spring and top bearing included.) The struts are orginal. Anyone have any thoughts?

Dan

[Johnny Mullet]

Originally Posted by LeSabre97mint

Hay MamaTbird

Was that replacement deadline of 07 for the 97's? I have a 95 with 200,000 on the clock and noticed the other day that both of my front springs were broken. I thought of ordering a "ready strut" (strut with spring and top bearing included.) The struts are orginal. Anyone have any thoughts?

Dan

I think it covers them for 10 years/80,000 miles.

[wiswind]

I would check with your FORD dealer....I was of the understanding that it is a 10 year unlimited mileage coverage. I could be wrong.....or it might be different for different years.
And....YES, if only 1 spring is broken, they replace BOTH springs for free....as springs should always be changed as a pair.

Without the shield....it is possible for a spring to fail such that it punctures the front tire...which can be very serious when you are underway.
My springs are original.....no shield....and I have been keeping an eye on them......and also washing up under there around the springs throughout the winter.
I have some surface rust...but nothing deep yet.

The issue is that, in snow country, where salt is used.....there can be corrosion on the springs, which causes them to fail.

[pitteach]

Does this warranty only cover the springs? My 2000 has a major rust/rot problem. The lower part of the sliding door is completely gone and the other doors are showing signs of rust at the seams. I was wondering if this is something that may be covered by a longer warranty because this seems very premature for a 6 year old vehicle. May need a new sliding door!

[96wWindstar180K]

The warranty is 10 years unlimited mileage. The ten years starts from the day of purchase.

[Mama's T-Bird]

LeSabre97mint: I think 96wWindstar180k is correct. I found the recall notice on edmunds.com . It affected 20 states in the mid-west and northeast.

[brinkz]

THe driver side coil on my 98 blew out doing 120km/h on the highway beside a transport truck....a bit of a fright there....i managed to get the van over to the shoulder, but too late, new tire, tore the cv boot, tore off the torque link and bent the strut....cost me over 1600$ in repairs, ford ended up covering about 600$ under the warranty of the coils.

[BMW320i]

Why did the guy mention a extended warrenty expired. More than likely when he purchased the vehicle he also got a 3rd party warrenty call a extended warrenty. Depending on the warrenty most cover suspension. Mine did. Ford prob had nothing to do with this except perform the work and get paid by the 3rd party warrenty. I had a Mark VIII with around 70K and Lincoln replaced the rear suspension free of charge. Because I had an extended warrenty. The 10 year 80K warrenty is not for suspension it is a Fed warrenty all car makers have for emission related faluires. One being Cat's, etc. This is the only warrenty offered by manufacturers besides the reg 30k or whatever one you get with a new vehicle.

[brinkz]

Just for clarification, this was a 10 year warranty that came about after a recall on the front coils of the windstar, this coverage has nothing to do with extended warranty coverage from a dealership. As well the warranty is fully transferable no matter who owned/owns the vehicle regardless of mileage. All it covers is the front coil springs.