Improper assembly, or error during tire change...

[Nick R]

So I changed my oil yesterday, and when I was under the focus, I noticed something interesting. So a few months back, I had my tires replaced. At some point after that I noticed that on the highway there was sometimes a weird, light rattling sound. I thought it was the CB antenna and thought nothing of it.

Well, I noticed this, when I changed the oil... I have an appointment for my dad to bring it in to the dealer on monday and I'll take his car, so they can look at it. I'm wondering if maybe a few bolts were forgotten when it was assembled (as you can see, a few bolts are missing on the heatshield studs) or if they vibrated themselves loose: or if it was done when I got the tires changed. Either way, I'm not very happy about it. At this point the heatshield is just resting on top of the muffler and resonator.

Edit: he is taking it, because due to my work schedule, otherwise it will have to wait until next friday.

 

[Astro14]

They vibrated loose....unless tire changes involve unbolting the heat shield....

 

[Donald]

Either the screws vibrated loose or the heatshield tore a larger hole around them. Are the screws still there?

Fender washers would be my suggestion.

 

[Nick R]

Originally Posted By: Donald
Either the screws vibrated loose or the heatshield tore a larger hole around them. Are the screws still there?

Fender washers would be my suggestion.


Well the studs are there, the nuts are ALL missing, all but one anyway. And that one DID tear a larger hole. You can see it in the 2nd and third shots, further back.Part of the heatshield (looks almost like cardboard backing) is held up to the frame with a nut.


Either way, it's going back to the dealer for them to deal with, I see this as a warranty issue. I can think of no reason that the tire shop would do this, it was just something I was considering as a possibility. I do think this is a warranty issue though.

 

[nitehawk55]

I'm sure the dealer will fix it but I do think these heat shields are fastened poorly and the material is way too flimsy .

I found this an issue on my sons 2005 Focus as well .

 

[FirstNissan]

Have them put some loctite at the dealership.

 

[eljefino]

I wonder if they use those nasty "stamped nuts" that are one thread around. Those studs have a very coarse thread.

Ford should absolutely fix this free, plausibly up to the 120k catalytic converter warranty. The heat shield after all keeps the cat from lighting your car on fire.

 

[jeepman3071]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
I wonder if they use those nasty "stamped nuts" that are one thread around. Those studs have a very coarse thread.


This was my thinking as well. I've seen it on a few other cars and would explain why they would ALL vibrate off. You might have the same problem if they use the same fasteners. I'd go with some nuts that fit those along with some fender washers and loctite. That should keep it secure for a long time.

 

[Nayov]

Tires "replaced a few months back" but your current mileage is 17K. How did you burn through a set of tires b 4 17 K miles?

 

[KrisZ]

Originally Posted By: jeepman3071
Originally Posted By: eljefino
I wonder if they use those nasty "stamped nuts" that are one thread around. Those studs have a very coarse thread.


This was my thinking as well. I've seen it on a few other cars and would explain why they would ALL vibrate off. You might have the same problem if they use the same fasteners. I'd go with some nuts that fit those along with some fender washers and loctite. That should keep it secure for a long time.


My 03 Focus has those nuts to secure the heat shields and none are missing after 10 years. However I did have to use oversize washers in few places because I went through some deep snow last year and the narrow nuts could not keep the shield in place.

This looks like perhaps the nuts were removed for some reason and never put back on.

 

[Nick R]

Well they put nuts on them. I'll probably take them off, and put on washers and then the nuts with some loctite, just to ensure this isn't a problem again.

 

[JHZR2]

What did you hit? You may not have even realized it!

 

[Nick R]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
What did you hit? You may not have even realized it!



Hitting something wouldn't have removed missing bolts from the studs. :\

 

[JHZR2]

Picture to me looks like the heat shield is bent and some of the holes are enlarged...

 

[SatinSilver]

Nicholas,

Did you tick off the guys at the tire shop? Maybe they're messing with you or something. Never heard of those bolts shaking loose. Normally, the rust will secure them in place before they loosen themselves. Or the car was built a half past beer thirty on a Friday afternoon.

I think it looks bent because it's hanging down loose/unsecured.

 

[Pop_Rivit]

I was passed by a newer Focus the other day; there was a strip of "something" hanging underneath. After seeing yours it appears to be the same thing.

It certainly doesn't look as if that heat shield is secured well. It also looks like something waiting to be torn off by some snow.