May have to become a defector to Ford....

[Glenn and Lorraine]

I have been concerned about the Intermediate Steering Shaft problem in Chevy trucks since I first read about it on this forum and over at RVnet. So, I finally got the time to take my truck into a local Chevrolet dealer to inquire about the problem.
From my description of the symptons the service writer feels I do have a problem but they need to bring it into the shop to actually diagnose the situation. Sounds good BUT...
As my 2003 truck is out of warranty GM may or may not cover it. May not cover it???? This is a situation going on since 1999 and GM may not cover it??? Since 1999 GM knowingly has been putting out defective Intermediate Steering Shafts and mine may or may not fall under any kind of warranty????
Than the service writer tells me that I have to call GM myself and speak to them about the situation. What happened to the days when the service department gave you service which included making any necessary calls to the manufacturer concerning warranties. Especially on a situation that's been going on since 1999. Maybe my particular truck isn't on record as having a problem in the first 36,000 miles but GM is sure as he&& on record as having a problem with the Intermediate Steering Shaft since 1999.
AND than she, the service writer, tells me that GM has at least a 3 month National backorder on all defective Intermediate Steering Shafts parts. A 3 month backorder on a situation that's been going on since 1999. She didn't show the least bit of concern when I informed her that this truck was my only means of transportation.
Anyway, as I didn't care for her attitude and my father-in-law has no love for that particular dealer anyway, on Friday I will be taking it into a different Chevy dealer to get their story.

Defecting to Ford????...
If I have to put out one nickle to get this "On Going Problem Since 1999 Defective Intermediate Steering Shaft" fixed I will get back in my truck and head it for the Ford dealer just 100 yards down the road.

[Just148]

Glenn, that's what I done with my Ford, I took it across from the ford dealer to a chevy. dealer in 1992 and been happy with chevy. since. It have 360,000's and still running great.
Glenn, Write GM and explain your concern/s and let them know how you were treated at the dealer ship. It works. I retiered from Ford...

[Countryfolks]

Dodge/Cummins? ;)

Skip

[stiles watson]

Come on in, the water's fine.

[Native Tex]

I love the 100K warranty on the Ford. In fact, the last trip out, at 99,855.9 miles, I had a warranty claim that valued over $700 (electonic acclerator pedel replacement). Cost me $0. I have owned Chevy, Dodge, and Ford, but service speaks loudly. Of course that is why there are so many different car companies....a choice for everyone.

[rames14]

Having had issues outside of warranty with both Ford and Chevy, I can only go by my experience. I had $700 worth of transmission work done on a 1984 Ford Ranger in 1986 at 45,000 miles. Ford said that's normal wear after I took it all the way through the customer complaint process. I lost an automatic tranny at 60k miles on a Blazer and called Chevy. The oil cooler lines worked loose and lost the fluid. They paid for half of that repair plus half of some front end work that was also found. My father was a mailman and heard lots of stories where GM handled claims well out of warranty. "But" you have to play the game and call them. They don't just offer - hence the dealer not calling. I had an issue with my new GM diesel - bad solenoid on the turbo. The dealer had it twice to fix it and GM didn't even air ship the part. But, they did get it fixed. None of them are perfect. All three of them better hope Toyota doesn't start making heavy duty diesel trucks or they will all be in trouble.

[Montana Sky]

Boy Glenn,
I am not sure which way you want to go on this one, I think it was Sue who was having trouble with her Ford Powerstroke. If memory is right, her Ford could not keep the turbo air intake line connected to the turbo. Take you choice I guess, no power out of the motor or steering shaft viberation. I would really give GM a call after you talk to the other dealership. I have seen GM do some pretty amazing things for loyal customers. Hey why not take a look at the 2005 Duramax cranking out 605ft/lbs of torque and 310hp. Might be the perfect time to trade in. On the serious side, I hope that Chevy can get your problem fixed and have you back on the road in no time.

[Montana_657]

:DHey Glenn,

They obviously know you own a Montana and figure you're used to paying for repairs. (LOL)

We're planning to hit Tampa RV show in January ... lets try to be in the same place at the same time this time.

[ken]

Glenn
Sorry that you are having problems with the GM truck. Used to have one too. Went with ford and have had no problems. Thanks for the info you wrote on the fire extinguishers. I'm guilty along with many more owners who never gave them a second thought.
Ken and Velda Taylor
Dahlgren Va
2003 3655FL Montana/Ford F350 Diesel

[Flastro]

Glenn, good luck on getting your truck taken care of, My wifes 04 Tahoe has one of those back ordered shafts on order, In the past 8 years I have had a least 7 trucks, Ford/Powerstroke, Chevy/Dmax and now a Dodge, they all have issues, its just a matter of finding the right dealer just like with our Montys, My last Ford had 19K miles on it and it was falling apart, Engine surges/skips, A/C quit working, steering wander, rattles, I traded that lemon. prior to that my Fords were good trucks, my 03 D max was a ticker, could not stand it, The jury is still out on the Dodge, so far, so good, I love the way the truck drives and rides, just a matter of how she holds up. Call GM, complain, it cant hurt.

[Glenn and Lorraine]

OK I spoke directly to Chevrolet this morning and I have an appointment for next Tuesday at the Chevy dealer in St Pete. Turns out the Chevy customer service office is located right here in Tampa.
Anyway, I take the truck in on Tuesday at which time the dealer will diagnose the problem and with Chevy's "approval" repair or replace the shaft. BUT there is still no guarantee that it will not cost me. Guess I gotta wait til Tuesday to decide whether I defect or not.


BTW-Thank you one and all for letting me Rant. I guess I just needed a place to blow off a little steam. I am feeling a whole lot better. Well at least til next Tuesday.

[sreigle]

Good luck, Glenn. Hope they get it fixed for you. I think we can come up with horror stories and good stories no matter what the brand. I used to drive GM until I got tired of the service writers knowing me by name when I drove in. So I switched to Ford and have been super happy ever since. Yet others can tell us exactly the opposite story. So I guess they're all good and they're all bad. In any case, you like yours so I hope they get it right for you.

[Glenn and Lorraine]

UPDATE...

As scheduled I took the truck into the local Chevy dealer this AM and at first I was a little apprehensive. After some initial info gathering the service writer asked if I was the original owner. "Well no", I answered, "I am the second owner and in fact the truck came out of Canada". He didn't bat an eye and asked me to wait in the waiting room. I asked "Does it make a difference that I am not the original owner?" He answered "Well it could". I could see the $$$$$ signs. Shortly afterwards I stepped outside for some air and here comes the service writer. He asks me "How long you gonna be in Florida?" "Till May" I said. He continued inside. His knowing I was a fulltime RVer I just thought the question was just casual conversation and didn't think anything of it.
Shortly there after I was paged to report to the "cashier" that the truck is ready to go. Cashier? OK here comes the bad news. As I picked up the paper work the cashier said there was "no charge" and that they had greased the shaft and ordered a new one. Now I'm feeling a bit better as I see I will be getting the new parts at no charge. I asked "how long will it be before the parts come in?" She says "Chevy has an extensive back order and it could be months" Guess it wasn't "casual conversation" afterall.

[Montana Sky]

Glenn,
I am glad to hear that Chevy sounds like they are coming through for you. Chevy has been nothing but good to me and I am glad to hear they are still taking care of their customers. Keep us "updated" on how it all continues.

[sreigle]

That's good news, Glenn! Any manufacturer who wants to keep customers these days best treat existing customers well. Sounds like you got a good dealer, too.

[Dave e Victoria]

Good Luck Glenn. As a graduate of GMI (more than a few years ago) I am always glad to hear about GM doing good.

[Glenn and Lorraine]

Well Dave and you'll also like this part.

Today I received a follow up call from Chevy Customer Service.
They were just checking in to see how everything went at the dealer.
Now that's Customer SERVICE!!

Kinda makes me feel good knowing the 2 biggest investments that I own have people that will be there for me.

I think I'll be dragging a Montana with a Chevy for many years to come.

[Sue]

quote:Originally posted by Montana Sky

Boy Glenn,
I am not sure which way you want to go on this one, I think it was Sue who was having trouble with her Ford Powerstroke. If memory is right, her Ford could not keep the turbo air intake line connected to the turbo.

It was me, but, I do have to say that 80% of the folks who haul with horses drive Fords. Mine was just a lemon. [V]

[Glenn and Lorraine]

Final update...
quote:I asked "how long will it be before the parts come in?" She says "Chevy has an extensive back order and it could be months".

I guess it wasn't that extensive afterall. I received a call last evening that the shaft was in. Went in today at 8AM and was on the road by 9AM.

Guess I'll scratch that May have to become a defector to Ford....

[sreigle]

I'm glad to hear they got it fixed for you, and quickly, Glenn. There's nothing worse than having your TV having problems, especially when it's also your only transportation. Sounds like they took good care of you.

[patodonn]

Just talked to a guy in this RV park the other day who was the not-so-proud ( and MOST upset) owner of a new (I believe it is a 04)Ford 250. Seems like there is this "little" problem with a faulty cam position sensor, which can (and DID) shut the motor to OFF, whenever or wherever it choose to do so. So far, the "where" has been on the freeway, it has done it twice, both times while towing. Of course, when this happens, both the power steering and power brakes are immediatley inoperative during the quest for a safe place to coast off to the shoulder (if one esixts aqt that location)

Ford's answer to him so far has been..we know about it, it is a known design "problem", don't have a fix yet, but, don't worry, it shouldn't happen VERY OFTEN!! VERY OFTEN?? YGBSM!! He is definitely NOT a "Happy Camper".

I don't think I'll be looking at Ford as the defection option, if and when...

Best,

[Montana_1424]

All I can say is I am on my forth Dodge truck, first Diesel. I have had only one problem, the computer had problems with my current diesel. It was a known issue, and they were working to fix it, mine just slipped through during the transition stage. That was at 800 miles. I now have just under 12,000 miles on it, and have not had a single problem since, and had no problems with any of my other trucks. I researched this well, and for the 04 model year, the year of my truck, the Dodge had the most HP, Tourque and towing capacity. Plus, the diesel is quiet and rides very well.

[sreigle]

PJ, that guy needs to take it back to a better dealer. There were a few with the CPS problem but there's a tech bulletin to fix it. He can check the 6.0 bulletins at Dieselmann's page at http://www.intellidog.com/dieselmann/home.html .

Our '03 6.0 was an early 6.0 and had a stalling problem like that. But when they replaced the fuel pump, no more stalling. The '05 has 6,000 miles on it now and has been perfect. Again, that CPS problem was on a very few of them and he needs to point out the tech service bulletin to them. When I had the stalling problem the Ford Diesel team was excellent to work with and kept at it. After the fuel pump we had zero additional problems with it in 51,000 miles before we traded for the new one. One thing I question about your neigbor's comment. When ours stalled at highway speeds it immediately restarted just from the rpm of the engine. At city street speeds it stalled and had to be restarted. The brakes still work with power for awhile because of the vacuum available but you can't use the brakes for too long before they will go to non-power. Power steering, however, does stop powering but ours always immediately restarted at highway speeds. If he continues to have this problem and they still can't fix it he should call Ford's customer service number and ask to speak to the Diesel Specialists team. They even gave us a rental car for a week while they were trying to figure it out. I'm not reading about any significant problems with the newer 6.0. I dearly love this engine and transmission. Nothing can touch it for towing and so far so good on the new one. Hope your neighbor gets this fixed. If not he needs to talk to them about trading him out of it for a newer one.

[patodonn]

Thanks, Steve...I'll try to get the info to him. He was MOST unhappy.

I guess the TV is just like the RV...the dealership can make all the difference!

Happy New Year!..Hope you have escaped the clutches of a Kansas
City winter!!

Best,

[sreigle]

PJ, we haven't escaped yet but will next Tuesday. At least we're now in a warm spell. Today is likely to hit 50, which is good. I think today I'll air up the tires and do the other preliminary things I can do this much before we hit the road. I hear you had an enjoyable visit with HamRad.