Transmission Issue - Raptor at Ford Dealer Service Department

[stealth]

I have a 2014 Ford Raptor Screw that has 73,000 miles on it. I had a grinding noise that started several months ago. I initially thought it was related to the IWE/Solenoid/Check valve. So on 03/11/2019 Battlefield Ford Service in Manassas, VA replaced the IWE and also checked the check valves and hoses. They said there were no leaks.

But the grinding noise continued. After research I was sure it was related to the 5-3 Downshift "SQUAWK" issue seen in some F-150s and Raptors. So I dropped it off on 4/22/19 and left it with them. After a few days the transmission tech confirmed the grinding noise. Smaller fixes did not resolve the issue and they concluded they needed to take the transmission out to further diagnose. However, on 5/2/19 I was told they needed to first get “approval” from Ford prior to doing this. I wonder what is involved in this approval process because that was 12 days ago. When I purchased my Raptor I also bought a 5 year / 75,000 mile extended warranty. My Raptor has 73,000 miles on it and it also meets the 2020 warranty expiration date requirement. So I’m covered.

So it’s been sitting in a service bay at the Battlefield Ford Service Department for over 3 weeks! I even talked to another dealership where I bought my vehicle and they said this wait is sometimes typical. It just depends on a case by case basis.

 

[cgibs89]

I had the "squawk" fix done on mine under the CPO warranty. I had my truck approved almost immediately (although I took it in specifically because of the "squawk") and back in about 2 weeks so I wouldn't say 3 weeks just for APPROVAL is normal.

The other issue is that they had to wait for the OD drum to come in as it was backordered (this was also about a year ago). So if that's still an issue, add more time on to the repair.

There used to be Ford CS reps here but I'm not sure if they bother/have anyone new these days.

 

[stealth]

I had the "squawk" fix done on mine under the CPO warranty. I had my truck approved almost immediately (although I took it in specifically because of the "squawk") and back in about 2 weeks so I wouldn't say 3 weeks just for APPROVAL is normal.

The other issue is that they had to wait for the OD drum to come in as it was backordered (this was also about a year ago). So if that's still an issue, add more time on to the repair.

There used to be Ford CS reps here but I'm not sure if they bother/have anyone new these days.

When I took it in there I told them I'm sure it was the squawk issue. I even sent them clips from my dash-cam that sounded identical to someone else that had that issue.

 

[smurfslayer]

ok, so they told you they’re waiting for approval, but has anyone told you why they’re waiting for approval? That does seem like kind of a silly delay to me.

 

[stealth]

ok, so they told you they’re waiting for approval, but has anyone told you why they’re waiting for approval? That does seem like kind of a silly delay to me.

I had been dealing with the service manager but he stopped responding. Apparently they are short staffed so he's often assisting on vehicles now. I spoke to the service advisor last Wednesday, 5/8 (my birthday) and he said Ford wants to make sure the work is necessary before they approve and pay. I understand that part. Just not sure why it would take this long after a transmission tech stated all his troubleshooting steps led him to this point as the next logical step.

 

[stealth]

As luck would have it on the same day I posted I got a call today from the service advisor saying the truck was ready for pickup. I stopped by and spoke to the service manager before picking it up. He apologized for the delay and said the transmission tech had a bunch of vehicles in line before me. Based on the receipt it was a transmission overhaul (3 pages worth of stuff) including a transmission flush. The write up mentioned a confirmed grinding noise on 5-3 and 6-4 downshift - and also noises on the 3-4, 4-5 upshift. Affected components that were fixed included a transmission main control valve, solenoid, pump bushing, burnt overdrive, direct clutches, etc. So it turns out they were working on it all along but were just extremely slow with updates. The approval process didn't take 3 weeks after all.

After picking it up I immediately noticed the steering seemed way too tight. But that might just be I was starting to get used to the 2019 F-150 rental and it rides so different from my wider and heavier Raptor. I had driven the F-150 for almost 3 weeks - they're also nice. Thanks for the replies cgibs89 and smurfslayer!

 

[smurfslayer]

Glad you’re back in business.

 

[stealth]

Glad you’re back in business.

Thanks Smurfslayer!

 

[jvanover04]

As luck would have it on the same day I posted I got a call today from the service advisor saying the truck was ready for pickup. I stopped by and spoke to the service manager before picking it up. He apologized for the delay and said the transmission tech had a bunch of vehicles in line before me. Based on the receipt it was a transmission overhaul (3 pages worth of stuff) including a transmission flush. The write up mentioned a confirmed grinding noise on 5-3 and 6-4 downshift - and also noises on the 3-4, 4-5 upshift. Affected components that were fixed included a transmission main control valve, solenoid, pump bushing, burnt overdrive, direct clutches, etc. So it turns out they were working on it all along but were just extremely slow with updates. The approval process didn't take 3 weeks after all.

After picking it up I immediately noticed the steering seemed way too tight. But that might just be I was starting to get used to the 2019 F-150 rental and it rides so different from my wider and heavier Raptor. I had driven the F-150 for almost 3 weeks - they're also nice. Thanks for the replies cgibs89 and smurfslayer!

Did this fix the issue? Have you heard the grinding/rattling noise since?

 

[98infinity]

Can someone explain to me the "squawking" issue. Is it a major transmission issue with the raptor?