So.....This is a preliminary update.
Transmission is still under warranty. Took it to the local dealer and got the runaround. I would go as far as to say that they were somewhat hostile and accusatory. They tried to spin it on me and accuse me of doing unnecessary work and, as a result, the problem would likely not be covered under warranty. Needless to say, I was not to pleased with them. Did a whold bunch of research about how they actually assemble tranmissions. Apparently, everything is done with robots and there are multiple inspection points in the process. Apparently, the chance of someone dropping a random bolt during the assembly process and just leaving it loose in the transmission pan is essentially 0%. I got Ford Corporate involved and they assured me that this is a problem that should be covered under the vehicle warranty and they gave me a claim number. Took it to a different dealership and they were significantly more friendly and reasonable. The vehicle is currently still in service with communications going back and forth between Ford Corporate and the Dealership as to what they are ultimately going to do. I will update you all when I get more info.
JZ
YES, JZ! It sounds like you did the exact and correct procedure with Ford and both of your dealers.
When I had a major drive-line vibration problem with my Ford 1-Ton Transit Van when it was Brand New, my local dealer "Service Writer" was a complete dick and very condescending. I ended up leaving and called back to that dealership to speak with the OWNER of this dealership. Instead, a lady called me back who was very nice and also very knowledgeable about vehicles. She made arrangements for me to bring my Van back in the following day and instructed me to speak to a 'different Service Writer' there. Like you, I had done my on-line research and made copies of the high lights and a copy of the related TSB, all of which the 'first' Service Writer, refused to even look at. When I went back the following morning, the second "Very Courteous" Service Writer took my information, paperwork, pictures and TSB, read them over and asked me a few questions. After that, he had me walk back and talk with his heavy line mechanic, along with the mentioned, paperwork. His mechanic knew quickly and exactly what this problem was with many new T350 Transit Vans and said he had performed this TSB on a couple of vans, already, which solved the problem. My Van was fixed in 2 days and the major vibration was GONE!
The fact that Ford gave you a Warranty, claim number is a very Positive thing, in my opinion. One thing that I would advise you to do, is to stay on-top of this thing and get it done, inspected or fixed as quickly as possible. It seems like if too much time passes (like even 2-3 weeks) without this being taken care of by your dealer and Ford, interest is quickly lost by both the dealer & Ford and any warranty resolution or agreement to inspect or fix, may be lost forever. Then it's on you, which is NOT good.
You should be proud of yourself for pursuing this possible trans-failure problem and I would love to hear if there was a positive resolution here and "IF" that bolt belonged anywhere inside your transmission? Also, thanks for the robot assembly info. I had absolutely no idea that these transmissions, were assembled by a robot. Good to know. Best of luck, Lance
