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Ford Freestar/Mercury Monterey

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Comments

  • beernutbeernut Member Posts: 329
    I agree. If the wear is same edge of both tires (outboard or inboard) its camber. But lets be clear.. is it the edges of each tire or outside (outboard) edges of each tire (only one edge per tire, not two)?

    The reason I ask this is that the way the pressure has been maintained could make it an underinflation issue:

    Let's say the manufacturer of the vehicle specifies 35 psi.
    1) Vehicle manufacturers sometimes specify less than the tire manufacturer because they want a smooth ride, not long tire life. Let's say one pound less.
    2) Maybe you check the pressure when the tires are warm or even hot. The pressure is higher than it would be when cold which is when you should check it. Let's say 2#.
    3) All gauges are off in one direction or another. Your's may read high. Let's say its off by one pound.
    4) If you only check it once every six months and set the pressure dead-on 35# and over the next six months, pressure is being lost, that's six months of averaging less that 35#. Let's say by one pound.

    YIKES! You could have been running your tires 5# LOW for 26,000 miles and didn't even know it!

    Alignment could very likely be the problem - my advice is to never trust just one shop - not all alignment specialists are created equal - assuming your shop even has one. But... make sure your tire pressure management is sound. Every six months isn't often enough, make sure its done at the right tire temperature and with a top notch gauge.
  • jrowdenjrowden Member Posts: 1
    I've had the pinging problem with my 2004 freestar with the 3.9.since i bought it new.I've had the van worked on several times.I can easily duplicate the pinging for the dealer.But no one can fix it.Any luck with the engineer?
  • dblaisdblais Member Posts: 1
    I have the base Freestar with the second row bench. It is supposedly not fore/aft adjustable, though I understand that in higher-level trims the bench seat can be moved forward and back. When I look under the seat, I can see two movable levers and the rail system appears to be fully intact, but movement appears to have been disabled or blocked somehow. Does anyone know if it is possible to bypass whatever it is that blocking movement of the seat? Thanks.
  • lostlost Member Posts: 64
    There is a bolt that locks the seat into that position. First remove the the bolt. The locking levers are missing the wire that connects them together so you have to hold them both open at the same time to move the seat.
    PS I think the bolt was a gold or silver color.
  • blackmannblackmann Member Posts: 3
    I have been reading that the Ford Freestar (Winstar) is a slow selling mini van. Perhaps Ford should contract with Kia Motors. Have Kia build a Kia Sedona, as a rebadged Ford Freestar Minivan. A Kia Freestar sounds like the next bigg thing....
  • walleewallee Member Posts: 1
    I've hurd that very thing that the Ford Freestar is a very slow selling Mini van. A Kia Sedona sold as a rebadged Ford would be a slap in the face to Ford. But then again, they should build a vehicle that people would really want to drive and buy. So Mr. Ford, Swallow your pride and call the Kia Motor Car Company and tell them that you need a really good MiniVan. Tell them that you would like to sell a rebadged Kia Sedona as a Korean made Ford Winstar/Freestar. Maybe just maybe mr Ford, the Koreans can teach your company how to make a Good looking minivan.
  • sunburnsunburn Member Posts: 319
    Does anyone know what type of alignment the Freestar takes - 2 wheel, or 4 wheel? I don't see anything on the rear suspension that looks adjustable.
  • bri66bri66 Member Posts: 220
    I just had my wife's van done. Where I bought her new tires they included a rear wheel to front wheel alignment free for the purchase of tires and then I paid for them to align the front end. I'm not a mechanic but it sounds to me there are two types of alignments. Hope this is helpful.
  • soderholmdsoderholmd Member Posts: 47
    I was just wondering if anyone had heard anything on a possible Freestar replacement for 07' or 08'. Never too early to start thinkling about it!
  • sunburnsunburn Member Posts: 319
    I've only heard two rumors. The first is the replacement won't be until 2008. The drivetrain will use the new 250 hp 3.5L V-6 that Ford has developed. The second rumor that I've heard was that Ford was getting out of the minivan market and will instead offer SUV-like vehicle for 2008. I guess that we'll have to wait and see.
  • soderholmdsoderholmd Member Posts: 47
    Thanks sunburn! :shades:
  • blackmannblackmann Member Posts: 3
    I have hurd that Ford is getting out of the Mini van Race. The replacement would be an SUV with seating for 6 or 7. Something called the EDGE.
  • ANT14ANT14 Member Posts: 2,687
    The Edge is an SUV based off the Fusion platform CD3. The vehicle you heard about is the Fairlane concept, which is a boxy, SUV/StationWagon/Minivan combo with seating for 7/8.
  • blackmannblackmann Member Posts: 3
    Can someone answer a question for me.? Why don't American automakers offer longer warranties, such as those from Hyundai and Kia? It would seem that if the automakers have faith in their own produacts, then the public would feel the same. Obviously, the american car companies don't have faith in their own products... :lemon:
  • dtownfbdtownfb Member Posts: 2,918
    Stupid queston but waht are the OEM tires on your Freestar? YOu mention they were goodyears. the reason I ask is if they are the Eagle LSII, you wil only get about 30k-35k miles out of these tires. Very common OEM tires. Rapid wear on these tires are reported on a number of boards.
  • dtownfbdtownfb Member Posts: 2,918
    You have to remember why these companies offered these long warranties in the first place. Hyundai HAD to do it to restore confidence in their product. During the late 80's and early 90's, Hyundai did not build good cars. So when they re-entered the market in the late 90's, they needed something to convince people they changed. I bet they would love to get rid of the warranty now that their quality has improved but still not sure if Americans are willing to buy Korean cars without the 10-year warranty.

    Another example is Chrysler. they don't offer teh 7/70k powertrain on their minivans for no reason.
  • bri66bri66 Member Posts: 220
    I believe they were the Integrity series tire. No way to check for sure, now that there gone, but I'm pretty certain they were Integrity's. The paperwork I received with the van from the dealer had a pamphlet in the glovebox for Michelin and the sticker that was in the window only lists the size not brand. The Toyo's on my wife's van now appear to be fine. My wife has seen a huge improvement on snowy roads.
  • lostlost Member Posts: 64
    42,00 miles NO problems, oil changes and airfilters only.
  • gpayntergpaynter Member Posts: 3
    have a 2004 Ford Freestyle and have nothing but problems with it. Most importantly the driver side power sliding door. Problems include-not opening or closing with any of the power buttons (no action at all), not closing- almost closes then reopens (and is not drivable) and opening when other doors are shut. The problems started right after I bought it new and they could never figure out the problem since it would never malfunction in front of them. In October 2005 the door stuck shut and the dealership fixed it. I am now having similar problems. Has anyone else experienced similar problems?
  • ham2ham2 Member Posts: 4
    My last posting was on April 13. My 05 Freestar went into the Dealership before Easter. They are waiting for a part from Memphis, and i think Elvis is delivering the part! They believe it is electrical. I have a 2005 dodge ram slt quad cab for a rental, which i am not paying for. I like it, but i want my van back! It is now May 1st.
  • bombardierbombardier Member Posts: 9
    Hello. I have 2004 Freestar LTD and when driving for 10 minutes over 50 MPH a loud squeeling sound comes from the front end. This stops when you slow down to around 30 MPH and then comes back when you accelerate. If you stay under 50 MPH nothing is heard. You can hear it clearly inside with the windows closed. What could this be?
  • ham2ham2 Member Posts: 4
    I have have the same problem. It comes and goes. It sounds like the ringing in your ear. I have a 2005 freestar se, that I just got back from the dealer after three weeks
    (Different problem). This is the first vehicle I have bought off the lot, and I am not the happiest!

    Ham2
  • revjohnrevjohn Member Posts: 3
    You description of the loud squeeling coming after about 10 minutes of driving at around 50 mph and stopping when you slow down is EXACTLY what mine does!!! I took this to service dept head of the dealership (who is the father of a very nice person in my church), and he said it was the planateriu gears in the transmission. He said it doesn't affect performance (which it hasn't), but the high pitched whining is almost too much. They said short of putting in another transmission, nothing could be done, and that even a new transmission might do the same thing. It is very discouraging for a car with 39,000 miles on it. Please let me know if you learn anything else because it sounds like the exactly the same problem (and also the problem the person right after your post is having as well).
  • dtownfbdtownfb Member Posts: 2,918
    Based on what the service manager told you about not having a fix, sounds like it could be a defect in the tranny. If you haven't already, I would get the tranny flushed and refilled and see if the noise persists. If it does, you may want to make a call to Customer Service and get this documented. It sounds like this could be an issue down the road.
  • bombardierbombardier Member Posts: 9
    The dealer is replacing both front hubs today. They were able to find a TSB on this today but not yesterday so could be bran new TSB. Everyone having this issue may want to contact your dealer about having them replaced. I will be picking my van up later today. Good luck to all!
  • revjohnrevjohn Member Posts: 3
    Could you let us know how it turns out for you? . Are you having the front hub caps replaced? And, what is TSB? Thanks so much!
  • bombardierbombardier Member Posts: 9
    I have now driven round trip from home and work without any noise from the front end. Problem solved. The van seems to run smoother and "glides" down the road with these new front hubs. I hope this helps others with the same issue!
  • bombardierbombardier Member Posts: 9
    Technical Service Bulletin which means Ford is aware of an issue and if you identify it during your service visit will be able to replace proper parts. You need to raise your concern with the TSB affected area for them to address.
  • bombardierbombardier Member Posts: 9
    Both fron hubs on the axle were replaced not hub caps.
  • whymycarwhymycar Member Posts: 1
    Mine is a 2004 Freestar used for work. A co-worker has same van, same noise. The noise goes away when the wheel is turned, such as going aroun a sharp bend in road. My local service dept is clueless. Van has over 67K and this started @40K.
  • ham2ham2 Member Posts: 4
    Mine is a 2005 Freestar with exactly the same problem.Van was in 3 times. Still there. :confuse:
  • bombardierbombardier Member Posts: 9
    Anyone having this problem needs to have your front hubs checked. There is a TSB out there on this now. My noise used to go away when turning the steering wheel and re-appear once it straigtened out. It's now been a week with the new front hubs and the van is silent!
  • tomkc53tomkc53 Member Posts: 12
    Exact same problem with my 2004 Limited, seems to occur sporadically and then disappear under 30MPH. Is this a new TSB? Do you know the TSB number or date?
  • firstford4firstford4 Member Posts: 1
    I have a 2005 Freestar. At low engine rpm (1100 - 1500 rpm) and at low speeds (10 - 30 mph) we hear a loud ringing/squealing from the rear driver side. Does anyone know what this is about? The dealer said that this was a normal cooling fan vibration.
  • sunburnsunburn Member Posts: 319
    The cooling fans are electrically driven, and any sound from them would not vary with engine or road speed. I would suspect either a problem in the braking system or a wheel bearing.
  • whit18whit18 Member Posts: 1
    Has this happened to any one yet? We were on vaction and trying to load the van and the handle on the back of the van just came off? I could see no broken parts and of course there is no way to put it back in place. Our van did not come with a power option. Any suggestions?
  • dtownfbdtownfb Member Posts: 2,918
    What year is your Freestar? I would contact your dealer to get it replaced.
  • meow3meow3 Member Posts: 1
    Reading your posting was like finding a long lost twin!!! I have a 2004 Mercury Monterey and I am pulling my hair out! In addition to major driver side sliding door issues like you mentioned, the air conditioning has blown three times, the driver side heated seat has never worked for more than a day after they fix it, the controls on the steering wheel for the radio actually do the opposite of whatever you push... the list goes on forever! my husband and I retained a lawyer and are currently proceeding with the "Lemon Law" route. I love the style and convenience of my van, however most of the "perks" - stereo, heated seats, sliding door, etc... have not ever worked! All the shop ever says is: "If we can't duplicate the problem, then we can't fix it."
  • ajo312ajo312 Member Posts: 2
    Don't know if you have solved the problem, but there is a saftey mechanism on these vans. It won't let you use the automatic doors when the van isn't in park. Also, there is sensors to make the doors open back up if they see something in the way. Sometimes it is just that the person sitting there with big feet or to much dirt in the track.

    Don't know if this helps, but thought I would share.
  • ajo312ajo312 Member Posts: 2
    I had unhooked the battery on my 04 van to hook up the trailer wire harness. Since then, my dvd sharred feature won't work. It's when I press 2 and 4 on the radio at the same time so that the kids can listen to the dvd player on the headphones while I listen to radio in front. Any ideas on what the problem is? What should I do?
  • tndjtndj Member Posts: 1
    The SAME exact thing happened to me last Saturday night.. Can you tell me how much it cost to repair the door handle and what they did to fix it?

    Thanks
  • vickekayvickekay Member Posts: 3
    I have a 2005 Freestar and I'm having the same issues as well as when I'm driving around 45 mph on occassion the van will start jerking. Have you resolved your problems with the doors? I have asked to meet with the Ford Rep for my area tommorow, I have 250 miles left on my warranty.
  • g039260g039260 Member Posts: 1
    Hi,

    I just wanted to weigh in on the tranny issues with the 2004 Mercury Monterey's. I am getting ready to buy one and I saw this forum with all the complaints about Bad Torque Converters. I just wanted to say that everyone who has an issue should report it to the linked website. If enough people complain in the proper way it may be recalled.

    http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/complaints/results.cfm

    Currently there are only 12 complaints which makes me think it's not such a huge deal. If you haven't complained properly then please do so.
  • Don43701Don43701 Member Posts: 2
    I have read all of the postings on this problem. I just joined the group this past week. Our van's transaxle started slipping while my wife was in traffic. She didn't get hit thank God, but this is a very dangerous problem. I took the van to a Ford dealership, and they called me just a few minutes ago, stating the transaxle needs replaced. Since our van has 38,500 miles on it, it is NOT under warranty, of course. They gave me a price on a rebuilt one from Ford at almost $3000.00. I told them to repair it because we need an auto ASAP. I have reported this to the National Safety group you had stated, and emailed Ford of the problem as you stated. I asked to see a factory rep, and the dealership told me to contact Ford. I have called for several hours, at Customer Service Number. IT IS ALWAYS BUSY. We need to get a law-suit together on this. ALL of us, not just a few. I will report this to my State Attorney General also. I suggest ALL of us do the same. If you know of any other things I can do, please help!
  • MichimanMichiman Member Posts: 8
    aka pleather....
  • Don43701Don43701 Member Posts: 2
    Hello! I'm back. The deal is done. I called Ford service twice. First time they said they would contact Dutro Ford. I called them back in two weeks, and they confirmed I would NOT receive ANY refunds or NOTHING from Ford because my van was out of warranty. 2,750 miles out of warranty. So with that said I'm screwed, blued, and tattooed. I need help from all of you with this same problem. We need to know how we can compile ALL those who had/having this problem for 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 across this nation. That's the only way we can get help. Also post this problem in any and all news media across this nation.
    Please help all of us.
  • nadinebnadineb Member Posts: 190
    I have contact my local news station, but more important my senator, congressman, vice pres. and pres. You need to get their attention.
  • mgmbdfmgmbdf Member Posts: 1
    We were on our way to Jamestown (it is on a major highway I-86) to a doctor's appointment with our 7 year old son. Our van suddenly geared up and then we lost all acceleration. We are thankful that there was not a semi-truck or car behind us because we would of definitly been in a accident. We had no previous warning. I am gonna try and contact someone higher up in the Ford line. For as many of these that are going bad and us that have no warranty that is alot of money to pay out of pocket not to mention we are all risking our lives that have this mercury montery.
  • anabelanabel Member Posts: 21
    I know it has been awhile since you wrote in, and you may not ever receive this, but I wanted to mention or ask if you knew that the Ford Freestar is the exact same vehicle as the one you have only without the Mercury name on the body. Keep posted on the case that has started with the Fords transmissions. Seems that many more people have the Fords than the Mercury. Just a suggestion to you if you still care to keep informed. Thanks.
  • yanceyance Member Posts: 1
    My in-laws have a 2004 Monterey that they were driving down the road and the A-frame just broke....Could this be related to the trans-axle issue..Anybody else know of any problems like this?

    I find no recalls on this issue.
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