Some choice words for a TBird design engineer

[Brad]

Re: Some choice words for a TBird design engineer

I was able to loosen mine by pushing inward on the taillight from the outside (to reduce pressure on the nut) and using a deep well socket without the socket wrench on it and hand loosening. Since it has a rubber gasket on it by pushing in on the whole assembly you should be able to loosen it.

Many of these wacky design are because they are designed for quick and cheap assembly at the factory.

[Ray]

Re: Some choice words for a TBird design engineer

I can't remember ever being charged for having wiper blades installed. Around here anyway, you buy the blades and they install them for free.

[joe166]

Re: Some choice words for a TBird design engineer

I can't remember ever being charged for having wiper blades installed. Around here anyway, you buy the blades and they install them for free.

I think thats true for all the auto parts stores. In fact, around here, they all have signs up saying so, but then again, their employees are paid by the hour, not like the line mechanics at the dealerships.

[islandtime]

Re: Some choice words for a TBird design engineer

When I took Goldilocks in for the 5K service I was informed that the right wiper had a 1/4" tear..."we'd be happy to replace that for you"...I asked how much...."only $35"!!!!
When I told the girl I would take care of it myself, she just laughed.
Idiot.

[steelblue5505]

Re: Some choice words for a TBird design engineer

Why is the 4" stud that long? Why not cut the stud shorter with a bolt cutter or whatever would fit in there & do the deed before starting to remove the nut?

[joe166]

Re: Some choice words for a TBird design engineer

Why is the 4" stud that long? Why not cut the stud shorter with a bolt cutter or whatever would fit in there & do the deed before starting to remove the nut?

I think it is long to guide the assembly into the right holes in the body. If the bolt were shorter it would probably be harder to put everything back exactly right and with required lights I am sure they don't need the aggravation of a misaligned light assembly.

[funnyfingers]

Re: Some choice words for a TBird design engineer

I've changed the driver's rear tail light twice in 50K miles and both times was a pain in the butt. Last time too over 30 minutes for me to change it!

[taflocks]

Re: Some choice words for a TBird design engineer

3rd brake light is led from what i remember.

[phoenixtb]

Re: Some choice words for a TBird design engineer

Talk about design flaws has anyone noticed if you get a flat and put on the doughnut you cant fit the flat tire in the trunk! so you aint going nowhere until you get someone to carry the flat for you! The joy of owning a future classic!

[funnyfingers]

Re: Some choice words for a TBird design engineer

Actually I was able to fit my flat in the truck by sitting on it and opening the valve letting all the air out. But I did almost give up!

[Monty]

Re: Some choice words for a TBird design engineer

Speaking of parts, labor, and short term rentals. Between 1970 and 1979, I sold Forklift trucks for a Clark Equipment Co. dealer. Clark used to be #1 in the business. When I decided to go to Greener pastures, ie Merrill Lynch, I asked the dealer principal, "... just how long can we sell new lift trucks at virtually cost?"
His answer is the reason New car dealers stay in business and make lots of money.
Paul, the President of the dealership, told me "Cal, as long as we don't lose money on the sale of the new equipment we'll be fine. Most of the replacement parts are only available from Clark, the generic parts are usually replaced by the customers and it's just an annoyance to do that type of labor anyway. Our exclusive parts cost whatever we want to charge and all the manufacturers handle their parts the same way."
The number one selling Fork lifts in the world are now all Japanese!
Cal

Back in the early 80's I managed a Honda dealership in Louisiana. Attended the Honda Management School and they were teaching at the time that the shops and parts depts. had to cover all expenses. Whatever profit the dealership made would come from sales. I think some dealerships (not necessarily Honda) try to give the vehicles away and then make a big profit in their shops and parts. Even that far back you could purchase parts and labor manuals from after market sources that showed about a 25% markup over standard pricing. I don't take my Bird to a dealership at all unless it's a factory recall or something like that. No extended warranty.

[Ediron]

Re: Some choice words for a TBird design engineer

Last night I make a right turn signal on."LampOut" comes up on the dash,I check and it's the rt.rear signal .This morning I pickup a 2 pack of bulbs.I check here to findout the hidden problems I know when I had my Lincoln the dealer had to do it as the light housing is sealed in dum-dum.Read everything go down with tools and see the long stud.Try to loosen it and finally decide to buy a 11mm nut driver.Snap everything together start to drive to the store ,no warning on dash "lamp out" get out check the signal is working again.Drive to the shopping center make left n rt. turns signal on no problem.Go figure that one out.Now I have two bulbs just incase Ohhh BTW now the trunk light is out

[00mustng]

Re: Some choice words for a TBird design engineer

...did it only once....broke an attachment on the tailight....went dealer and bought new tailight assembly for $110.00cdn. ....realized after taking deep breaths, that the original still secured itself just fine....dealer wouldn't take the taillight back....never again!

[FEsTbird]

Re: Some choice words for a TBird design engineer

When I had a tail light go out, I saw the difficulty of the procedure and decided to replace them all. I don't recall the price of the bulbs, but the total was less than $10-$12 (counting the two for the license). The parts guy gave me all new plastic pins for the back, indicating that they were free for anyone.

I loosened the nut with a small (handle is 4 inches) crescent that I have and then backed the nut off with a long socket--by hand. Used the reverse procedure to put back on.

On the cost--it is not just Thunderbirds. My wife's Pontiac Grand Am had a head light go out and the replacement cost (including installation) was $70.

[Ediron]

Re: Some choice words for a TBird design engineer

Added a post on a different thread.Changed the bulb today with an 11mm open end wrench.Total time 5-7 min. easy job when you have the tools.As I posted in the othere thread seems "02 are more problems.Trunk light just became disconnected