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04-21-2017, 07:26 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 7,494
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F53 chassis/engine service in Michigan
Hi folks,
I would like to start a thread listing recommended service shops in Michigan.
I am really happy with Circle K in Midland
MI which is an independent shop, they also can work on rv house issues.
My local Ford would not touch an F53 and Cummins is about 50% more expensive.
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2008 Phoenix Cruiser 3100
2012 Jeep Wrangler Sahara JKU.
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04-21-2017, 03:03 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Alpine Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 182
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SUPERIOR AUTO & TRUCK
307 DAVIS ST.
BELLEVILLE MI 48111
JOHN R. SPRING & TIRE SERVICE
1782 E. MAPLE RD.
TROY, MI 48083
These are a couple of places we've dealt with over the years.
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Dave Stephens
Sales - Tech Support - Media
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05-12-2017, 10:45 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Metamora, MI
Posts: 5,518
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Found out I have an open recall 00S48 on my 2000 F53. Tie rod / drag link replacement. No Ford dealers around me are equipped to service. Ford corporate call center found Brighton Ford can provide service. 63 miles each way to my home :(
I will call them next week for an appointment. Hoping it is a one day service. 250 miles round trip would be a pain...
Hoping it will resolve the clunk I hear when turning and road has a dip...
Was very tempted to just do the job myself.
__________________
2002 Newmar Mountain Aire Limited 4370 w/ Spartan K2 and Cummins 500hp
ASE Master Certified (a long.....time ago...)
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05-13-2017, 06:17 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Lowell, Arkansas
Posts: 7,297
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Dav, L
"No Ford dealers around me are equipped to service." I find that an interesting and confusing statement. So there's no dealer around you that has a set of 1/2" drive sockets, ratchets, extensions, tie rod removal forks (we called them "pickle forks") and a torque wrench. Very, very interesting!!!
That's what it takes to correctly R&R a drag link. Oh yes someone has to be able to count maybe above 10 or 20. Down here in AR that means they'd have to take off their shoes too.
IMHO (what ever that's worth), if you have the tools, knowledge and skills doing the work myself would be my first choice. I'm just not confident in the skills of today's techs. Replacing the drag link is not that difficult. Counting the number of turns on the tie rod is about the most difficult part from my background.
Before I had to drop teaching Engine Repair and picked up alignment which included the alignment machine and tools we did many a tie rod change just counting the tie rod turns or measuring the assembled length. If the toe setting was correct previous to the tie rod wearing out it should be the same when they are replaced.
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TeJay Auto Instructor/4-yrs USAF/ Liz: RN/ WBGO 2014 Vista 30T/ F-53/CHF/5-Star/Koni * Bella & Izzy * Golden /Cocker mix/ Louie The Cat* All Retired
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05-13-2017, 06:31 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 7,494
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I called loads of Ford places and none will touch a MH.
They are not interested unless it can go on a car/van lift.
I am lucky to have the independent service place 15 minutes from my house and 20 from my storage.
__________________
2008 Phoenix Cruiser 3100
2012 Jeep Wrangler Sahara JKU.
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05-13-2017, 07:16 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Portage, MI
Posts: 401
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I have had my coach here. I've talked with the service manager and he claims they will do all the Ford chassis/drivetrain services. My one and only time I was very pleased with this dealership.
Southwest Michigan, 1/2 mile north of I-94, exit 60.
Tapper Ford
816 South Kalamazoo Street
Paw Paw, MI 49079
Sales: (866) 331-2037
Service: (866) 364-8727
Parts: (866) 382-7242
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Randy & Karin B, Portage, MI
2017 Newmar Ventana LE 4037 & 2021 Chevy Trailblazer
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05-14-2017, 06:55 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Metamora, MI
Posts: 5,518
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TeJay
Dav, L
"No Ford dealers around me are equipped to service." I find that an interesting and confusing statement. So there's no dealer around you that has a set of 1/2" drive sockets, ratchets, extensions, tie rod removal forks (we called them "pickle forks") and a torque wrench. Very, very interesting!!!
That's what it takes to correctly R&R a drag link. Oh yes someone has to be able to count maybe above 10 or 20. Down here in AR that means they'd have to take off their shoes too.
IMHO (what ever that's worth), if you have the tools, knowledge and skills doing the work myself would be my first choice. I'm just not confident in the skills of today's techs. Replacing the drag link is not that difficult. Counting the number of turns on the tie rod is about the most difficult part from my background.
Before I had to drop teaching Engine Repair and picked up alignment which included the alignment machine and tools we did many a tie rod change just counting the tie rod turns or measuring the assembled length. If the toe setting was correct previous to the tie rod wearing out it should be the same when they are replaced.
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I am sure the issue is that most Ford dealers don't have a chassis lift capable of 25K lbs, and that long and an alignment head for same....unlike you and I on our occasional basis, they don't want to work on the ground doing this stuff all day long.
BTW, I don't count turns as the length from the new tie rod pin center to end of link can be different from the original. I make a measurement line on the drag link and measure to the backside center of pin of the old tie rod (to maintain the old toe alignment)....then I put the new one on and repeat that measurement. To your point, most of the time, it's the same number of turns.
I did hear back from Brighton Ford...they have gotten all of the parts in (the drag link was NS1 (no longer available) from Ford distribution...they got it from another dealer)). I need to call them tomorrow for a hopefully one day appointment. So...report card so far for Brighton is an "A".
In working on my RV's myself, I can somewhat appreciate a Ford dealer not wanting to get involved with servicing RVs unless they do it all the time. These coaches aren't built the same as a passenger car...they are somewhat unique each one. Wiring diagrams are just general indicators of what's in this coach...stuff hidden in different places from coach to coach. Difficult for a dealer to make warranty flat rate time. Not to mention that special infrastructure / equipment needed and normal training requirements.
That doesn't let Ford off the hook of selling chassis without having a reasonable dealer distribution setup...
I want to get the front tires balanced and also a front wheel alignment as this RV is new to me and I just want to know if it's at spec. One of the reasons to not do this one myself. But I definitely have thought about that one a few times..
__________________
2002 Newmar Mountain Aire Limited 4370 w/ Spartan K2 and Cummins 500hp
ASE Master Certified (a long.....time ago...)
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05-14-2017, 07:17 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 7,494
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Keep the list coming folks.
Thanks,
__________________
2008 Phoenix Cruiser 3100
2012 Jeep Wrangler Sahara JKU.
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05-14-2017, 07:28 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 710
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Manistee Ford in Manistee built a separate building for truck and RV repairs a few years ago. They have a wheel lift that will pick up a MH.
I have not needed anything for my F53 but the work on my F-150 and Escape has been 100% satisfactory.
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05-14-2017, 07:32 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 7,494
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That's great to know, I am often over that way at Mesick or Ludington.
__________________
2008 Phoenix Cruiser 3100
2012 Jeep Wrangler Sahara JKU.
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05-18-2017, 09:08 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 7,494
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McDonald Ford in Freeland Michigan will work on F53's also.
__________________
2008 Phoenix Cruiser 3100
2012 Jeep Wrangler Sahara JKU.
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05-28-2017, 07:37 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Metamora, MI
Posts: 5,518
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Brighten Ford
As an update, brought the Bounder 36S in for the tie rod recall. They accommodated a single day service to minimize the round trip hassle. Inspected the vehicle and found the parts were OK and didn't need replacement. They also found source for a chassis noise (broken bracket).
All said and done - they are a well equipped shop for Class A work and handled things nicely. Recommended.
__________________
2002 Newmar Mountain Aire Limited 4370 w/ Spartan K2 and Cummins 500hp
ASE Master Certified (a long.....time ago...)
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