PTU Being replaced

SHO-Down · April 10, 2014, 08:58:21 PM

New member here (dropped an intro in the new members page)

So I just purchased a 2013 PP SHO with 20K miles on it and within 5 days of purchase its in the shop having the "transfer case" as the service advisor put it changed out (I assume he meant the PTU). Should I be worried that this is already having a major drive train component replaced? Its a certified vehicle and I purchased the bumper to bumper option from Ford and typically own my vehicles for 1.5-2 years but I definitely don't want to be making monthly visits to my dealer nor do I want to shell out a $100 everytime I visit the dealer for same reoccurring issue. I am wondering if I need to exercise my 30 exchange options and grab a different SHO.

Anyone have any thoughts? To me this is concerning since I have only had the car for a week and I have been down the road before with an 08 X5 a few years ago where I ended up spending a lot of time (and $$$$$$) at the dealer and eventually dumped the vehicle after spending 6 of 10 weeks at the shop...

I appreciate any input.

Thank you!

SwampRat · April 10, 2014, 09:03:28 PM

Wish we could see inside of PTU to see if its mechanical failure and or a result of severe duty or abuse . PTU's are a know weak link in the SHO for those that push to the limits .

SHO-Down · April 10, 2014, 09:10:10 PM

I know thats my concern without seeing it its hard to say what may have been the cause. The reason I brought it in was because I heard a pulsating howl from the front end above 60 mph if thats any indication of the issue? I just have a bad taste in my mouth and want to make sure I don't end up with a ragged on car. Everything else about the car is great just concerned about the drive train being this is the first week...

SHO-Down · April 10, 2014, 09:13:23 PM

Other things I should mention, I noticed that when the car is cold and I shift it into drive I would have an intermittent hard clunk, would this be related to the same issue? Also noticed that when I put the car in park the car will roll at least 6" back or forward depending on if I am on an incline which doesn't seem normal either. Could all be tied to the same issue but I am not sure about that.

BiGMaC · April 10, 2014, 09:19:59 PM

Sounds bad to me, are they checking that at the dealer too?... unless others chime in with info you may be answering your question as you type.

SHO-Down · April 10, 2014, 09:26:33 PM

I don't have them checking that at the moment because I honestly didn't think of it and after the ear full I gave the used car manager today I didn't want to call back with more issues or demands. As a side note my frustration with the dealer stems from them supposedly doing a 100+ point inspection on the vehicle to certify it and then I go to put the back seat down and the center seat belt lands in my hands bringing the entire deck lid out of alignment and now finding out the PTU is shot. You would think seat belts were part of the inspection. Also they were supposed to give it the full detail before I picked it up and they didn't so that is also why it is back at the dealer.

And as I am typing I feel like I need to step in and do something before this car becomes my permanent problem...

Woody · April 10, 2014, 09:50:56 PM

That sucks. I hope they get it figured out. I just bought a certified 2012 MKS with 27k last Friday. I have a few vibrations at higher speeds that I think I'm going to take it back in for. Otherwise mine so far seems to be in good shape. The only complaint I would have with the dealer is, like you, I expected the whole car to be detailed. The engine compartment is filthy. I might bring it back in for the vibration and bring up to the used manager that I'd like to see the engine bay detailed. Overall it's a very mild complaint though, and certainly nothing compared to what you are dealing with.

I need to do more research into the PTU and RDU in this car. My company does assembly lines for these components and I'd like to know if these are units my coworkers may have dealt with.

glock-coma · April 10, 2014, 10:08:33 PM

I had my RDU replaced at around 26,000 due to a pulsing vibration above 55mph.
They replaced almost every part in my rolling drivetrain before they found the problem......and it only took them 64 days and 2 different Ford field engineers to figure it out.

2010 RCM non PP
K&N panel filter
sp534 @ 30
unleashed 93 performance+firm shift+boost
more to come.....

SHO-Down · April 10, 2014, 10:10:37 PM

Yeah I find it interesting that most car dealerships think "detailed" means vacuum and wash haha.

I hope the issues I am having are all tied to the PTU. Granted I am covered bumper to bumper for 100k miles or 7 yrs (from in service date) so that is comforting I just don't want this to become a reoccurring theme. My only hesitation is that I had a vehicle do this to me in the past and that was an ongoing nightmare. Normally I wouldn't bat an eye at it but I'm not interested in becoming best friends with my service advisor unless we are talking oil changes.

SHO-Down · April 10, 2014, 10:11:52 PM

Quote from: glock-coma on April 10, 2014, 10:08:33 PM
I had my RDU replaced at around 26,000 due to a pulsing vibration above 55mph.
They replaced almost every part in my rolling drivetrain before they found the problem......and it only took them 64 days and 2 different Ford field engineers to figure it out.

2010 RCM non PP
K&N panel filter
sp534 @ 30
unleashed 93 performance+firm shift+boost
more to come.....

We'll lets just hope this isn't the start of something like that. If it is I'm swapping out.

BiGMaC · April 10, 2014, 10:16:27 PM

Understand... They are starting on the high speed bouncing at 70-75 mph Monday on my wife's F250 SC 4x4 (not the bounce of death)... drive train is a PIA when it needs work...4 trips and new tires at 12000 now. We took the service manager on a ride.. he finally understands... 64 days....UGH.

Anyway... give it a chance... if it's right after the PTU... your good... IF not, then decision time.

SHO-Down · April 10, 2014, 10:22:33 PM

Quote from: BiGMaC on April 10, 2014, 10:16:27 PM
Understand... They are starting on the high speed bouncing at 70-75 mph Monday on my wife's F250 SC 4x4 (not the bounce of death)... drive train is a PIA when it needs work...4 trips and new tires at 12000 now. We took the service manager on a ride.. he finally understands... 64 days....UGH.

Anyway... give it a chance... if it's right after the PTU... your good... IF not, then decision time.

That was definitely my thought. I figure I have 30 days to give this thing hell and see what happens.

I appreciate all of the replies.

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SoCalSHO · April 10, 2014, 11:13:57 PM

My PTU was replaced at 60K. Granted, there were a few drag races. If you decide to keep it, change the fluid regularly. Also, I had some wheel hubs replaced at around 24K, but I had no notice that the PTU was going out. It started as an oil leak.

SHO-Down · April 12, 2014, 08:35:24 AM

So the car is still in the shop. I talked to the used car manager and he said I do get full value for what I paid and have 30 days to exchange it. Part of me just wants to exchange and start with a clean slate the other part of me thinks new parts for free isn't such a bad thing so I'm a bit torn on what to do. Car is still in the shop so I have lost out 3 days of my 30 now so the clock is ticking.

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BiGMaC · April 12, 2014, 11:48:20 AM

Quote from: SHO-Down on April 12, 2014, 08:35:24 AM
So the car is still in the shop. I talked to the used car manager and he said I do get full value for what I paid and have 30 days to exchange it. Part of me just wants to exchange and start with a clean slate the other part of me thinks new parts for free isn't such a bad thing so I'm a bit torn on what to do. Car is still in the shop so I have lost out 3 days of my 30 now so the clock is ticking.

Just a thought... Maybe they shouldn't count shop time against your 30 days... they would have to fix it anyway (and should have known IMHO) and while they have the car, you don't... I'd sure consider arguing the point. Might get your SHO back sooner too.