Steering shudder w/ left turn. 2004 aviator, started one mnth after buying, dealer has serviced (fluid additive, changed gears, changed rack) still same problem. Has anyone "cured" this steering vibration/shudder? Mine was happening with any low spped turns under 20MPH!
Make : LINCOLN Model : AVIATOR Year : 2004 Manufacturer : FORD MOTOR COMPANY Service Bulletin Num : 0566 Date of Bulletin: APR 01, 2005 NHTSA Item Number: 10017902 Component: STEERING Summary: LOW SPEED STEERING SHUDDER DURING LOW-SPEED TURNING MANEUVERS. *TT
I thought the same thing at first, but then I realized that BMW has the M3 and M5 and Infiniti has the M35 and M45. I've never heard anyone get them confused or complain about it.
Supposedly the name cleared the legal copyright aspect of naming.
If you study some of the other manufacturer's, their naming can be easily confused with anothers. Like my Lincoln LS, isn't far off from Lexus LS430. Volvo's S40 could be confused with Audi S4. Luckily Mazda added it's name to 3, if not it might be confused with BMW 3-series, which the 330, could be confused with Lexcus ES300, which grows to about 330 soon or possible 350, not to be confused with Infiniti G35, or MB's, G500, or E350 which is a jump away from Lexus by just one letter, the "S".
While Acura has 3 letters MDX, TSX, future RDX, similar to Cadillacs XLR, DTS, STS, CTS, etc. At least Saab has nomeclature which is a bit different than the above, 9-3, 9-5, where the 3-5 really means the "0"s the name originally had. Remember's Saturns, L-series, which at first was LS, which was a reversal of SL and luckily went to words...Vue, Ion, etc.
I purchased it form the dealership for $163.00 plus tax. However, I was quoted as much as $196.00 from the same dealership and as high as $225.00 from another. Point being, prices can vary by whomever answers the phone. I google searched and found it as low as $141.00 from an internet website, but shipping made it equal. The key is having the part number 5C528200AA and calling different dealers in your area.
I am considering buying a loaded '04 Aviator from a dealer with 20K miles on it. It has both Nav & DVD System. They want $28K for it. After reading this forum I may go back to my original thought of buying the Explorer Limited or fully loaded Mountaineer. Seems like the Aviator has a lot of problems. Any thoughts?
See... everyone know that the Aviator(2005) does NOT come out with locking gas cap. I live in South Korea, and the gas price is soooooo expensive in this country. Besides, I'm afraid of children who might put something into the gas tank. I found this guy "thelittleguyenterprise" that sells locking gas cap on the eBay site. does anyone have experience of buying the gas cap and put it on his car? does it fit perfectly? doesn't it have any problem of fitting into the gas tank?
exp4: Not exactly. I guess I'm wondering if the features in the '04 Aviator are worth the premium over an '05 Exp. Limited. I realize the Aviator has a tweaked V8 w/300 hp, a six speed transmission, not to mention Nav that isn't available on the Exp/Mount. I was also wondering if $28K for a loaded '04 Aviator with 20,000 miles was a good price considering the '05 is the last year of the Aviator as it is now.
Hey, I had to drain some ATF out of the transmission of my '03 Aviator. Now I need to put some new fluid in. Where do I put the new fluid in at? Thanks, Chad
"The owners manual says take it to your dealer, of course. And there is no dipstick."
I checked and you are correct. Which part of "take it to the dealer" didn't you understand?
I assume this is the same as the Lincoln LS tranny which is refilled just like a manual transmission through a fill plug. The procedure to set the proper fluid level isn't trivial. Why do you need to check it?
Let me start by saying that my wife LOVES this car, and I really like it also, but there is an issue that I am really upset about, and I am asking for owner's experiences... Since somewhere around 12000 miles, my 2004 Aviator has what I call the "trembles". Very smooth while driving but has the jitters at idle. I had it to the dealer before (OKC)and they said nothing could be done. I refused to believe that, so I took it back again. This time while the dealer had it, they replaced the front steering rack which was starting to make a little scraping noise, and ran many tests on the trembling while at idle syndrome. Once again, the service manager, and also the regional service manager who just happened to be in the area, reiterated the same message. "Nothing can be done". They say that all the Aviators do it, it's just a matter of time or mileage. That the motor actually develops the trembles because of increased tolerances inside the engine. FACT or FICTION?? My service manager also told me that he has seen this symptom on MANY Fords, including a new Explorer that he was driving for a demo, and also the new Ford Freestyle. He also said that until a few years ago, he worked for GM, and the problem with the "quivers" was much worse with those vehicles. I am interested in hearing from anybody that their Aviator either has, or had the same jitters.
I have had Fords with less than smooth idling but I don't think it's necessarily normal. I had an intermittent rough idle that was diagnosed as a bad head. Apparently it's a known problem with the DOHC 4.6L heads (they're also used on the 99-04 Cobras). Now it's doing it again so I'll have it checked again. All they need to do is check the compression on each cylinder. If they have another used one on the lot somewhere just check it and see if it's the same.
Ok, i just got my grille in and took it home, opened the box and it was the same grille i still have. I should of checked it there but I didn't think anything of it when i gave him the part # that you gave me.
I'm sorry to hear that, I hope the mistake was not on my part. The number I gave you was the number that I was given by the dealership. I can assure you that I received a chrome grille. Let me know how things turn out.
Your part # was correct, it's the parts guy that screwed up. I even offered to show him in the showroom but he still got it all wrong. Finally got the right part after speaking w/ the parts manager. It took my brother 5 minutes to put it on and it looks really sharp
Local dealers have a few 05 leftovers that list from $48-$53,000. What should I be able to buy one of these for (no trade-in involved) after all rebates holdbacks etc etc ? Thanks
Given the $5K customer cash rebate plus $3K in dealer cash (as reported on edmunds.com) and figuring on an additional $3500 off MSRP (to put the sales price near invoice), I'd say take $11,500 off the MSRP.
1ST OFF LOVE MY AVIATOR,HOWEVER IT HAS HAD ITS PROBLEMS- 2 LEAKS AT GAS TANK,COMPUTER SENSORS, WINDOW MOTOR, REAR AIR OUT 2 TIMES,CRACK IN LIFT GATE,GRINDING NOISE WHEN AIR IS TURNED ON, AND A VERY ROUGH IDLE -ALSO HAVE THE SHAKING WHEN BREAKING? THE GRINDING I CAN LIVE WITH-CAN'T REPRODUCE WHEN AT DEALER( MY MOM HAS SAME PROBLEM WITH HER 03) THE ROUGH IDLE IS DRIVING ME NUTS. THE 2ND OF 4 TIMES IT WAS IN THEY SAID IT WAS AN ENGINE COIL AND REPLACED. THIS HAS NOT SOLVED AND 2 DAYS A WEEK I SIT FOR 15 MIN. IDLING IN PARENT PICKUP LINE AT SCHOOL AND FEEL LIKE I'M GOING TO BE SICK. ANYONE ELSE OUT THERE WHO CAN HELP. I'M HOPING TO KEEP ANOTHER YEAR TILL WARN T. IS UP BUT NEED PROBLEM FIXED.
Have them check the engine compression. There is a known problem with that engine in the Aviators and the old Mustang Cobras with the cooling in one portion of the head. Too much heat causes the head to warp and/or the head gasket to go bad. Solution is a new head. Mine was replaced about a year ago and I'm having the same symptoms again. If it's the head again I'm going to ask for an extended warranty to cover the engine (at no extra charge) or I'm ditching it when the warranty expires.
Hi Walt, so unlike you the only thing I dont like about my 2005 Aviator is the grill... and I was thinking about trying to get either a jet black, or a 2004 grill to replace mine... would you be interested in doing a deal on your 2004 grill ?
I have about 39k miles on my '03. I probably have about 20-30% thread left, and I think its time to get new tires. Also, there have been an increase in road noise through the tires. I like the OEM tires, no complaints on them, but does any one have recommendations on other tires ? Has anyone tired a different size on the same rims? thanks.
I too love my Aviator. The styling in and out is one of the best in the industry.
My Aviator has an annoying rough idle. I have noticed that sometimes when the idle RPM is around 600 the idle is smoother. Typically, the idle RPM is 500 and the car has a slight shake. I often notice the passanger seat is shaking without a doubt. I also notice that the rough idle is much worse when in Drive, as opposed to idling in Park/Neutral.
I also have been noticing squeeky, harsh steering. Exactly what I was experiencing in my Lincoln LS. Which makes sense, because I believe they share the same rack and pinion assembly. Very impressive for the Aviator, not as much for the LS. The fix in the LS was a friction modifier.
One last issue to share. I have an intermitent whining rear-end. This I know I will get the dealership to fix as soon as they agknowledge. They say it is not thier. They are partly correct, I haven't been noticing it in the cold NE wheather recently.
Oh, one more note. I learned the hard way. The valve stem caps are specially designed for the tire preassure monitoring system. Using incorrect replacements may cause the valve stem to fuse to the cap. I went to check the tire preassure and broke 3 of 4 stems in half with the cap still on. Dealership replaced for free. What a pleasent surprise.
Sorry about the false start. I too had the rough idle problem. Also hated the shift points in the tranny, didn't run like it was 300 hp. Bought a Jet Performance chip #80317 and it solved both problems. About $240 from autoanything.com. Not promising anything, but I was at point of trading mine in because of the nuisance.
I have had every problem with mine that has previously been listed on this forum. Currently the back hatch is waiting on replacement due to a split down the middle.
Anyone have the front end trembling that can't be solved by alignment or balancing?. Cups the ouside and inside of the tires. Just the latest nuisance. If I wouldn't take such a bath, it would be gone tomorrow.
Lincoln wants you to think of them in the same breath as Lexus, BMW, etc but their indifference to the customers is alarming. :lemon:
I may have the same problem. Let me know if this is what you are talking about:
At high speed (75+ mph) the vehicle begins to shake/tremble. The steering wheel does not shake to bad (unlike an unbalanced tire). But the gas peddle (floor) begins to feel wierd from the shaking. The vehicle feels like it is about to disintegrate. I haven't brought this to the dealerships attention, but I don't expect much sympathy. At lower speeds the Aviator feels refined and smooth.
Might be the same thing. Overall shaking of the vehicle. After Lincoln blamed it on bad tires due to non alignment/balancing, just spent $800 on new Fortera Silent Armor's. Guess what, no difference. I have long complained about weird feelings through the accelerator, especially when hitting small bumps. Shakes more than just a little and seems to take a short time to recover. Again, Lincoln claims its normal. Imagine. Now I still have a $40,000 car with 20,000 miles and it drives like a Kia with a 120,000 miles!
I have had the 2003 Aviator in for the rough idle 6 times in the Dealership and a Ford Service Engineer has looked at it. The call it normal. I call it bad engineering. I will not settle for this and plan to take this as far as I can to let Ford absorb part of the loss. Does the jet performance chip work on the 2003 model. :lemon:
Comments
Mine was happening with any low spped turns under 20MPH!
Any known TSB's?
Make : LINCOLN Model : AVIATOR Year : 2004
Manufacturer : FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Service Bulletin Num : 0566 Date of Bulletin: APR 01, 2005
NHTSA Item Number: 10017902
Component: STEERING
Summary:
LOW SPEED STEERING SHUDDER DURING LOW-SPEED TURNING MANEUVERS. *TT
If you study some of the other manufacturer's, their naming can be easily confused with anothers. Like my Lincoln LS, isn't far off from Lexus LS430. Volvo's S40 could be confused with Audi S4. Luckily Mazda added it's name to 3, if not it might be confused with BMW 3-series, which the 330, could be confused with Lexcus ES300, which grows to about 330 soon or possible 350, not to be confused with Infiniti G35, or MB's, G500, or E350 which is a jump away from Lexus by just one letter, the "S".
While Acura has 3 letters MDX, TSX, future RDX, similar to Cadillacs XLR, DTS, STS, CTS, etc. At least Saab has nomeclature which is a bit different than the above, 9-3, 9-5, where the 3-5 really means the "0"s the name originally had. Remember's Saturns, L-series, which at first was LS, which was a reversal of SL and luckily went to words...Vue, Ion, etc.
Ahhhh
Ford Media
i'd want one too.
It's usually the dipstick tube next to the engine.
Steve, Host
I checked and you are correct. Which part of "take it to the dealer" didn't you understand?
I assume this is the same as the Lincoln LS tranny which is refilled just like a manual transmission through a fill plug. The procedure to set the proper fluid level isn't trivial. Why do you need to check it?
Let me start by saying that my wife LOVES this car, and I really like it also, but there is an issue that I am really upset about, and I am asking for owner's experiences...
Since somewhere around 12000 miles, my 2004 Aviator has what I call the "trembles". Very smooth while driving but has the jitters at idle.
I had it to the dealer before (OKC)and they said nothing could be done.
I refused to believe that, so I took it back again.
This time while the dealer had it, they replaced the front steering rack which was starting to make a little scraping noise, and ran many tests on the trembling while at idle syndrome.
Once again, the service manager, and also the regional service manager who just happened to be in the area, reiterated the same message. "Nothing can be done".
They say that all the Aviators do it, it's just a matter of time or mileage. That the motor actually develops the trembles because of increased tolerances inside the engine.
FACT or FICTION??
My service manager also told me that he has seen this symptom on MANY Fords, including a new Explorer that he was driving for a demo, and also the new Ford Freestyle.
He also said that until a few years ago, he worked for GM, and the problem with the "quivers" was much worse with those vehicles.
I am interested in hearing from anybody that their Aviator either has, or had the same jitters.
Thank you!
That's his job.
Have them check the engine compression. There is a known problem with that engine in the Aviators and the old Mustang Cobras with the cooling in one portion of the head. Too much heat causes the head to warp and/or the head gasket to go bad. Solution is a new head. Mine was replaced about a year ago and I'm having the same symptoms again. If it's the head again I'm going to ask for an extended warranty to cover the engine (at no extra charge) or I'm ditching it when the warranty expires.
Deal, how does the price of shipping sound?
Also, there have been an increase in road noise through the tires. I like the OEM tires, no complaints on them, but does any one have recommendations on other tires ? Has anyone tired a different size on the same rims?
thanks.
My Aviator has an annoying rough idle. I have noticed that sometimes when the idle RPM is around 600 the idle is smoother. Typically, the idle RPM is 500 and the car has a slight shake. I often notice the passanger seat is shaking without a doubt. I also notice that the rough idle is much worse when in Drive, as opposed to idling in Park/Neutral.
I also have been noticing squeeky, harsh steering. Exactly what I was experiencing in my Lincoln LS. Which makes sense, because I believe they share the same rack and pinion assembly. Very impressive for the Aviator, not as much for the LS. The fix in the LS was a friction modifier.
One last issue to share. I have an intermitent whining rear-end. This I know I will get the dealership to fix as soon as they agknowledge. They say it is not thier. They are partly correct, I haven't been noticing it in the cold NE wheather recently.
Oh, one more note. I learned the hard way. The valve stem caps are specially designed for the tire preassure monitoring system. Using incorrect replacements may cause the valve stem to fuse to the cap. I went to check the tire preassure and broke 3 of 4 stems in half with the cap still on. Dealership replaced for free. What a pleasent surprise.
I have had every problem with mine that has previously been listed on this forum. Currently the back hatch is waiting on replacement due to a split down the middle.
Anyone have the front end trembling that can't be solved by alignment or balancing?. Cups the ouside and inside of the tires. Just the latest nuisance. If I wouldn't take such a bath, it would be gone tomorrow.
Lincoln wants you to think of them in the same breath as Lexus, BMW, etc but their indifference to the customers is alarming. :lemon:
At high speed (75+ mph) the vehicle begins to shake/tremble. The steering wheel does not shake to bad (unlike an unbalanced tire). But the gas peddle (floor) begins to feel wierd from the shaking. The vehicle feels like it is about to disintegrate. I haven't brought this to the dealerships attention, but I don't expect much sympathy. At lower speeds the Aviator feels refined and smooth.
Let me know if you get anyone to listen. Thanks.
I will not settle for this and plan to take this as far as I can to let Ford absorb part of the loss.
Does the jet performance chip work on the 2003 model. :lemon:
Steve, Host