[773]

Noticed something very strange on my #773 this morning. The passenger-side front wheel is not centered in the wheel-well. It's a little further towards the back of the car. The driver's side is fine. Also, this may have something to do with the fact that I noticed a slight lean towards the driver's side while looking at the car from the rear. I have a sinking feeling that whichever service center I go to is going to try and talk their way out of doing anything about it.

 

[Blakwing]

Accept no compromises. If something looks f'ed up with yoursteering geometry not only does it look like crap but it can pose a very real safety hazzard to you.. Who knows if this "off center" wheel is getting stressed more than the other wheels? Ever have a tie rod snap at 70mph? NOT FUN! Definitely get this checked out.. If your Ford dealer says it's ok.. take it to a place that specializes in wheel alignments and have them check it out as well. If they find something wrong pay for the est. Take it back to Ford and not only demand that they fix it but also demand payment for the alignment place est. due to their failure to act and their willingness to put your safety at risk. Mention the Better Business Beareau, NHTSA, and that you're willingness to contact an attorney on this matter as well as the fact that you're going to be in touch with the local media.. The last thing Ford needs is another Safety story out in the press.
Hopefully it's either nothing or something they're willing to take car of for you..

Above all else. DO NOT GIVE UP..
Good Luck..

 

[773]

Thanks for the support! I'll let you know how it goes...

 

[Havgunwiltrav]

Take a closer look and see if its not the fender out of place instead of the tire. Just a suggestion/ Thanx Havgun.

 

[FordBullitt]

Before you go, arm yourself with some data. Take a tape measure and a friend and do some measurments. Measure the relationship from the lower conntrol to a common point on the front of the frame. Measure from the front of the crossmember to the same piont. Do the sam measurments towards the back too. This will tell you if it's a chassis or fender/body problem.

Good luck!

Brian

 

[773]

I took some measurements last night. It sits 1/2" lower on the driver's side rear... (doesn't sound like much, but very noticeable to someone as anal as myself). Also, passenger side front wheel is about 1/4" further back than it should be.

Dropping it off on Monday to get (hopefully) more than just looked at!

I'll keep you updated, and thanks again for the posts!

BTW: finally watched "Bullitt" for the first time last night... Now I want one in all 3 colors...

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: 773 on 2001-06-23 10:28 ]</font>

 

[773]

Dealer called to say there's no adjustments that can be made to this and that I should contact the selling dealer.

 

[773]

Well I got my car back from dealer #2 yesterday. They had the specialist look at the car and measure everything. He said that he was able to make some adjustment to get the lean to within 1/4" difference, and that he said, is well within spec. I can still notice it, however. And when I did the measurment myself here, it's still the same old 1/2" off! I wonder is someone else can do this quick measurement on their car? On a level surface, just measure from the ground, up to the middle of the wheel well in the back. Let's see if there's anybody with this same problem??

 

[STRAY BULLITT]

Not to overlook the obvious, but it sounds like a bad strut,or a bad spring or perhaps a mis-matched spring pair.

 

[Jimmy Ray]

I wonder if the bone heads that put our cars together mixed the standard struts/springs and the Bullitts. If they could screw up body panels why not other stuff