Squeaking towards "Lemon" aid?

[OneTrickPony]

My '15 GT non-PP auto is two months old now. And it has spent two-weeks of that time back at the dealership trying to address a litany of issues. Being in California means our state's Lemon-Law rules basically allow no more than 30-days accumulated time or addressing more than 4 times the same non-life threatening issues. I am paraphrasing a bit but that is key element.

So from day one ownership my beautiful looking Pony car has a terrible squeak that comes from the rear, seems like the passenger (right rear) area. It is most pronounced when the vehicle is turning slowing either up or down a slope. That condition tends to load-up one rear corner while unloading the other side. The noise is best described as rolling around on an old-mattress. A very annoying squeaking or stressing sound.

To this point, the dealership has replaced the right rear shock strut under warranty. Zero improvement. Then they followed guidance from Ford Service Hotline and removed all the mechanical links in the rear-end, both sides, including the sway bar links (both ends), and the control arms to the rear suspension elements. All joints were re-lubed, reassembled and torqued to factory-specs. They also did an alignment job which I appreciated. Unfortunately not the slightest improvement. Turn the car on a hill (up or down) and it will groan like a old lady.

So now I await the dealership's next move. They are seeking direction from Ford. And I keep track of receipts in order to prepare for a CA Lemon Law claim if it comes to that.

To the good credit of the dealership, the Service Manager has offered to issue me a check to cover 1-month's vehicle loan payment. That's a really classy move I think.

I welcome thoughts on what it might be, or anyone else fighting a factory gremlin that moans and groans. I fear it is something in the unibody construction itself with inadequate welds or bonded joints that are nearly impossible for a dealership to solve. Time will tell.

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[Shazam]

I have same problem. Wondering if anyone else has it. I too think its the uni body twisting. Happens when i go up ramps or turning hard. Had entire rear carrier replaced under warranty because found a cracked bushing. Same thing. Still squeaks.

 

[Rough Hollow Man]

Sorry to hear of your problems and you may indeed have to rely on "Lemon Law" to get complete satisfaction. I live in the Texas Hill Country and drive large hills every day at all speeds. I do not have your problem and I mention this to you because I have the 6G convertible. It might be a particular problem endemic to the fastback unibody, or it could be that the convertibles have more body bracing. You are wise to document every attempt by Ford to fix your Stang...your "Lemon Law" proceedings require that. As you said and I agree that your Mustang should not "groan like an old lady". I have "an old lady that groans" but she calls herself my wife. Good Luck on your fix.

 

[Chameleon]

Hmmm definitely a mystery regarding your "squeak". It seems like the dealer is doing a great job of at least trying to locate the issue and provide some relief; others do nothing. I admit I enjoyed the write up and hope it is solved. I was picturing a mattress with sparks.

 

[SubZombie]

I have this as well but I was thinking it was the latch from where the rear seats fold down. I drove with the rear seat down and didn't hear it, but it could have been a coincidence. Mine on the passenger side is scraping into the metal on the hook because of how tight it is. Whether or not it is that I do have the same sound.

 

[OneTrickPony]

Well, the dealership Service Manager asked me to drop off the vehicle on Thursday (day after tomorrow). No hint at next steps that Ford recommended but I will certainly inquire about details before just handing over the key fob.

This will be the official third attempt at same problem and I have expressly made them alter the summary text they typed into the service invoice. It states "first attempt was to replace shock to no benefit." etc. I am no fool.

will keep this thread blogging until they find it and fix it, or lemon aid it

 

[marrero412002]

I hear a squeak when i get into my car or out and my driveway is a small incline it have to go to dealer and see.

 

[SubZombie]

Well, the dealership Service Manager asked me to drop off the vehicle on Thursday (day after tomorrow). No hint at next steps that Ford recommended but I will certainly inquire about details before just handing over the key fob.

This will be the official third attempt at same problem and I have expressly made them alter the summary text they typed into the service invoice. It states "first attempt was to replace shock to no benefit." etc. I am no fool.

will keep this thread blogging until they find it and fix it, or lemon aid it

I actually fixed this issue on mine a cpl hours after posting a reply to yours (not that its the exact same, but it sounds the same so worth a try), and verified it hasn't come back after going over the same sections of my driveway/road multiple times and then driving on a 4 hour trip. It wasn't the rear seats.

Open your trunk and look at the plastic piece that covers the top inside section of the rear right tail light. Push down on it and see if you get a mattress squeaking sound.

Mine was a section at the top of the actual rear right tail light rubbing on the body panel making a sound exactly like you described. I was surprised because from inside the car it sounded like metal on metal to me (or even similar to the squeaks I would get from rear leaf springs on my Tacoma).

It immediately went away after I corrected this.

 

[OneTrickPony]

SubZombie - BINGO! You are either very good or clairvoyant.

The groaning mattress sound in my car's right rear was in fact the tail light housing. It was rubbing against the surrounding structure.

I got a great chuckle out of precisely what the Ford Service invoice stated: "road test with two Techs, one in the trunk, found RR taillamp assembly noisy against body work."

:lol:

Not joking... that's what it says and that's what they did. Service Mgr said the guy in the trunk had a stethoscope to zero-in on noisy location.

Corrective action noted as: installed foam gasket in mating surfaces to body and lubed seal edges, reinstalled, retested ok.


So yes, I have confirmed in the past two days that the annoying squeaking sound has gone away!

Major kudos and shout-out to Service dept at Ken Grody Ford--Carlsbad.


:ford:

 

[Zodiac]

That's awesome it was such an easy fix. Love the writing for the repair order.

 

[SubZombie]

I just checked mine. Right rear tail light is the culprit. Thank you subzombie!!!!!
Should i fix it on my own? Or take it to dealer and show them?
When I take my cars to the dealer I usually just play dumb and let them figure it out.

You might as well take it in. I fixed it in about 20 minutes but my fix involved loosening the tail light and wedging a washer wrapped in electrical tape in a place between the body panel and the internal tail light housing and then tightening it back up so it would create some space between the body panel and where it was rubbing (went this route because I have the 401A subwoofer and you have to take the whole thing out to get full access to the tail light)

 

[Stage_3]

Nice fix SubZombie. Good job! :cheers:
How did you figure it out?

 

[mccoy87]

I have the same issue. I live in Florida so most of the roads are flat. At work, I have to park my Mustang on the rooftop (9th floor). When I go downhill, in the curves, I can hear the same noise as described here.
I will take the car to the dealership with the information provided here. Thanks!

 

[Budwise]

BUMP

I think I may have this same issue. Can someone post a pic of how you remedied it?

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