80mph+ steering vibration

Argetni · Aug 15, 2010

I have 1100 miles on my 2011 GT (stock 18"s) and I am getting vibration at 80mph+ it is worse when going around turns on the highway at 80+ or when changing lanes at 80+.

The dealer will not test drive the car over the speed limit (65) and at 65 it is smooth.

What should I do?

StavelyStang · Aug 15, 2010

That's screwed up! Take it to another dealer and raise hell, until they get it right. Period!

Argetni · Aug 15, 2010

Swapped back wheels to front today and there is still some vibration over 80 mph

SpartaPerformance · Aug 15, 2010

What vibrates? Steering wheel? Entire car? Could be a simple imbalance.

stanmckinney · Aug 15, 2010

What highway can you legally drive 80 on?
I understand where the dealer is coming from.

FreeRider · Aug 15, 2010

stanmckinney said:
What highway can you legally drive 80 on?
I understand where the dealer is coming from.

speedlimit in new mexico is 75 on the interstate, 80 if you don't want to be run over.

stanmckinney · Aug 15, 2010

Consider the liability for a dealer if a mechanic is injured or killed driving at 80 to check a vibration.

STANGmole · Aug 16, 2010

How about the liability of Ford or the dealer if you are injured or killed while going over 80mph as the result of a manufacturing defect? There are certainly SOME places...the track being one of them....where you can legally drive past 80mph.

If the car wasn't made to go past 80mph it should be electronically speed limited, the speedo should top out at the highest legal limit (75mph?), and speed rated tires shouldn't be required (presumably due to safety and reliability) when you buy new rubber at the tire shop.

In my opinion it's a lame cop-out on the dealer's part. There are many things they could do WITHOUT driving 80mph to check it out...like check if the tires are balanced for one. I'd take it to a tire shop that can check the balance and alignment...you'll get better service.

stanmckinney · Aug 16, 2010

I agree that there are other things the dealer can do. But the original post complains that the dealer won't test drive the car that fast. What if it were 100 miles per hour? Would that make the dealer's refusal of a test drive more reasonable? Also, does the factory warranty cover racing on a legal track?
I would be surprised if it did.

5.0 Coyote · Aug 16, 2010

stanmckinney said:
I agree that there are other things the dealer can do. But the original post complains that the dealer won't test drive the car that fast. What if it were 100 miles per hour? Would that make the dealer's refusal of a test drive more reasonable? Also, does the factory warranty cover racing on a legal track?
I would be surprised if it did.

Let"s look at this another way,if it was your car with the problem would you be giving the same advice,or would you want it fixed.This car was made to go way faster than 75 mph, Ford does there own advertizing with 160 mph speedometer, if nothing else put it on a set of rollers and find the problem and fix it,not put BS all over it and call it good.
Coyote.

AvalancheSVT · Aug 16, 2010

stanmckinney said:
I agree that there are other things the dealer can do. But the original post complains that the dealer won't test drive the car that fast. What if it were 100 miles per hour? Would that make the dealer's refusal of a test drive more reasonable? Also, does the factory warranty cover racing on a legal track?
I would be surprised if it did.

hi, welcome to stangnet. 80mph isn't fast. a quick jaunt above 80mph is not going to kill anyone.

speed doesn't kill anyone. the car isn't going to fall apart above 80mph. im glad you aren't selling cars "hey buddy dont you know its ILLEGAL to go above the speed limit!? slow down!".

stanmckinney · Aug 16, 2010

I like cars too. I have been on this site for awhile. The site does not promote street racing.
I am sorry but I think the dealer has a point about a test drive. There are other ways to check this.
Also, no one answered the question, but does the warranty cover racing even if it is legal?
People can die in crashes at 15 miles per hour. But generally it is speed that kills. A salesman in Louisville last year encouraged a potential customer to test drive it fast. (A Charger I believe.) He hit a woman head on and killed her. The potential customer and the salesman all faced criminal charges. So yes, a quick jaunt to 80 can kill.
I have a Mustang GT and I drive the speed limit.
Sorry if that hurts anyone's feelings. Speed kills. So do stupid drivers. So do people who drink.
All of this is my opinion. You don't have to like it.
I still think the dealer had a legitimate point about a TEST DRIVE at 80.

Svtpilot · Aug 16, 2010

Most if not all of us drive 80mph or better on the highway it no big deal but it is illegal and therefore in my opinion it is not unreasonable for the dealer's tech to refuse to drive your car that fast nor can the service manager order him to do so. Clearly a 2011 Mustang GT is capable of being driven safely at 80+ mph so I doubt that safety is the issue. I think getting a traffic ticket is. I suggest asking the service manager to ride in the car with you while you drive the car 80mph.

AvalancheSVT · Aug 16, 2010

stanmckinney said:
I like cars too. I have been on this site for awhile. The site does not promote street racing.
I am sorry but I think the dealer has a point about a test drive. There are other ways to check this.
Also, no one answered the question, but does the warranty cover racing even if it is legal?
People can die in crashes at 15 miles per hour. But generally it is speed that kills. A salesman in Louisville last year encouraged a potential customer to test drive it fast. (A Charger I believe.) He hit a woman head on and killed her. The potential customer and the salesman all faced criminal charges. So yes, a quick jaunt to 80 can kill.
I have a Mustang GT and I drive the speed limit.
Sorry if that hurts anyone's feelings. Speed kills. So do stupid drivers. So do people who drink.
All of this is my opinion. You don't have to like it.
I still think the dealer had a legitimate point about a TEST DRIVE at 80.

thats weird, i bet the guy in the charger went in the other lady's lane didn't he? crap driving. 10 over is just as dangerous as highway speed. hell, they fluctuate the speed limit every 15 years or so. they're making 55 mph roads 65 and 70mph roads now without changing the road. its retarded.

its a copout. they just dont want to do the warranty work. a 3 second test is not going to hurt anyone as long as you dont have an idiot driving the car.

stanmckinney · Aug 16, 2010

Again, if you legally race the car does that void the warranty?

STANGmole · Aug 16, 2010

stanmckinney said:
Again, if you legally race the car does that void the warranty?

As long as Ford doesn't determine the car has been "abused" why would it?

Speaking as a GT owner, I can say for myself that I'd be pretty upset if taking my stock car, on street tires, for a 1/4 mile run (for fun) at the local dragstrip would void the warranty. I don't see any reason why it would....these cars were DESIGNED to go fast and advertised as such. Professional racing or extensive modifications would obviously void any car's warranty.

You do have a legitimate point about the dealership and I agree 100%...that doesn't mean that I don't think they're simply using it as an excuse to not fix the problem. There are other ways of testing it and there are places where it can be driven that speed legally.

Are you honestly saying you've NEVER had your car above 70mph? If so, you're definitely in the minority and should be given an award for your commitment to safety and the law!!

stanmckinney said:
I still think the dealer had a legitimate point about a TEST DRIVE at 80.

To play the devil's advocate here...how many dealerships would limit your testdrive (to purchase) of a Mustang GT, Challenger, Camaro, Corvette, Porsche, or any other muscle or semi-performance car to 80mph? I've never known of any....you always take a short freeway drive where you can (presumeably safely) hit speed limits that might be a little bit over the posted MPH to test the car.

AvalancheSVT · Aug 17, 2010

stanmckinney said:
Again, if you legally race the car does that void the warranty?

of course not. thats ridiculous. cruising at 80mph isn't racing, BTW.

CA Lightfoot · Aug 17, 2010

Yes, the dealer should fix it under warranty. But don't agonize over it -- might even be a blessing in disguise.

Take it to an independent shop and describe the problem. I bet a simple wheel balancing will fix it. Or you might discover a bad wheel or tire or ?

Then you'd definitely have ammunition for warranty work.

Also, you might as well get the alignment checked. It's not uncommon for a factory alignment to be out-of-spec. And a good shop can fine-tune for straight-line tracking or cornering or whatever you want.

Let us know what happens.

Argetni · Aug 17, 2010

CA Lightfoot said:
Yes, the dealer should fix it under warranty. But don't agonize over it -- might even be a blessing in disguise.

Take it to an independent shop and describe the problem. I bet a simple wheel balancing will fix it. Or you might discover a bad wheel or tire or ?

Then you'd definitely have ammunition for warranty work.

Also, you might as well get the alignment checked. It's not uncommon for a factory alignment to be out-of-spec. And a good shop can fine-tune for straight-line tracking or cornering or whatever you want.

Let us know what happens.

Well since the dealer will not even throw the wheels on the balancer without verifying the problem first which they cannot do I have decided to take the car over to the best tire shop in the area tomorrow.

I am a bit concerned that moving the rears to the front did not help the issue but I guess maybe more than one tire is out of balance. I thought the factory had top of the line balancing equipment too.

We shall see how it goes.

Argetni · Aug 18, 2010

12 noon-

Well I just got back from the high end tire place since the dealer was not interested in helping me.

They balanced all four and found a high spot on one. They turned the tire on the rim and were able to get it to balance fine.

STILL VIBRATION over 80 mph 90-100 even more.

I am not sure what to do now, I am going to try one more tire place and I am already out $85

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