[JimT]

So early on I read numerous posts about a Dealerships inability to properly install the front splitter prior to customer delivery. I quickly checked mine, seemed to be up tight and flush (I was pleased) and decided to put splitter savers on to promote longer life to a splitter I was prone to damage.

Well I had reason to go back and remove the splitter (for a Tow hook install) and I found 4 of the front splitter screws missing? Checking other splitter and belly pan screws (the 7mm one) I found them at different levels of torque. Are they loosening up or did the Dealer blow off the easiest of the install screws? Looks as if a screw had been there. Has anyone checked their splitter lately? Other than the normal scrapes, check the torque on the little 7mm bolts holding the splitter and belly pan. I’m off to Ford for some new screws, wierd size.

 

[GT_Dave]

That was a common problem back in 2016 and looks like it is still in force. The same thing happened to my car, the techs seem content to install 4 screws instead of 8. You need to go back to the dealer and have them order the screw kit, don't try to use alternate screws, and they will most likely take a few weeks to obtain.
If you had loose screws on any component up front, they were most likely installed and left loose. After 20,000 miles I see nothing coming loose on my car.

 

[racer172]

fortunately my dealership didn't install the splitter, they left it in the trunk, said that some people don't want it on the car due to lack of clearance, I think they just didn't want to install it.
In any case I was fortunate enough to install it with my mechanic at his shop so I know it's on correctly.
I've heard stories of it coming off at speed if it's not installed right.

 

[JimT]

That was a common problem back in 2016 and looks like it is still in force. The same thing happened to my car, the techs seem content to install 4 screws instead of 8. You need to go back to the dealer and have them order the screw kit, don't try to use alternate screws, and they will most likely take a few weeks to obtain.
If you had loose screws on any component up front, they were most likely installed and left loose. After 20,000 miles I see nothing coming loose on my car.

So I go to the Dealer today for an oil change and went to the parts department to order screws for my splitter. No help. The parts catalog they used didn’t even show the correct splitter, much less the screw set. ??? Time to go to a different dealer. Took the time to walk up to the showroom where they had a new Lead Foot Grey on the floor, and wouldn’t you know it, the splitter was installed wrong! Oh boy. LOL.

 

[ringmaster]

I'd like to take my 350 to the dealership (supposedly the best one in the state) for its first oil change but I'm very hesitant because I really don't trust any of them. Have to decide soon as I'm closing in on 1,000 miles. I've been checking my car for all the things brought up on this forum and so far no problems. Fingers crossed.

 

[racer172]

I'd like to take my 350 to the dealership (supposedly the best one in the state) for its first oil change but I'm very hesitant because I really don't trust any of them.

I don't trust dealership service either because you drop your car off and have no idea who's handling it.
I don't know if this will help you, but I have a small-shop mechanic that I take all my cars to and the owner lets me work with him on my Shelby in his bay, we did the resonator delete together and we installed the splitter & oil catch cans together, I was hands-on with the installs, I actually cuts the pipes myself. Can't tell you how much security that gives me. Maybe you can find a shop you trust and that trusts you to be in the bay.

 

[JimT]

I'd like to take my 350 to the dealership (supposedly the best one in the state) for its first oil change but I'm very hesitant because I really don't trust any of them. Have to decide soon as I'm closing in on 1,000 miles. I've been checking my car for all the things brought up on this forum and so far no problems. Fingers crossed.

I have to agree with Racer, hard to trust. I only went due to a free coupon I had. I took them the extra 5 quarts needed, a spare oil pan plug if they screwed it up and an oil filter if they didn’t have one in stock. I let them dump my 10 quarts of oil and didn’t leave the dealership until I crawled underneath and inspected for screw ups. Once I got home, inspection 2. Luckily all’s good and the price was right. Luckily I have no other concerns which require deeper dives...

 

[ringmaster]

Racer172 and JimT, thank you for the input. I have friends in autocross so they may know someone I could trust with the car and would let me help/watch them. Great idea about the spare oil pan plug. Seems like that would be easy to screw up. My car has the new oil filter canister system instead of just the screw on oil filter and I kinda wanted to see someone do that before I tried it myself. Looks like it would be easy to mess up the o-rings. Glad I'm not the only one who's paranoid about who touches my car(s). ;-)

 

[johnny1]

I have a different take on this. Even though I am very particular about my car and have bought extra drain plugs (cheap from Tasca) I took my car to my local dealership for first oil change since I bought car there hoping they would take extra care and do it right. I can't change it myself and definitely want Ford to do it so its documented therefore if any thing goes wrong its on them to have to fix it. To me thats all you can do unless you are mechanically inclined and can do it yourself.

 

[driller]

Yeah, there's two ways to look at it. Let the dealer hold all the cards or you take care of it yourself and deal your own.

I am a believer no one cares more for my car than I do, so if it's going to get messed up, it's going to be me. But for an oil change, I tend to agree with JimT's approach.

I've got two years free maintenance (which may be nothing more than two oil changes but I plan to use them). But realizing no one wants anyone second guessing their work, I will 'ask' to inspect the underside of the car following service while it is still on the lift. Then another quick check once home should put any fears to rest.

If they balk at my request, we'll just take my toys home and I'll do it myself.

 

[JimT]

Yeah, there's two ways to look at it. Let the dealer hold all the cards or you take care of it yourself and deal your own.

I am a believer no one cares more for my car than I do, so if it's going to get messed up, it's going to be me. But for an oil change, I tend to agree with JimT's approach.

I've got two years free maintenance (which may be nothing more than two oil changes but I plan to use them). But realizing no one wants anyone second guessing their work, I will 'ask' to inspect the underside of the car following service while it is still on the lift. Then another quick check once home should put any fears to rest.

If they balk at my request, we'll just take my toys home and I'll do it myself.

I actually tried taking my own oil and filter to the local Jiffy Lube where I could get close and nosie, but a new policy sez they can’t use customer supplied oil (and you know they carry our 5w-50.... lol).

Don’t get me wrong. There are a lot of honest, great Tech’s out there, i know a lot of them, I just don’t know any local that work for Ford A good relationship with a Dealership is important, an oil change seemed like a good introduction.

 

[johnny1]

Personal opinion on a car like this if it was down to Jiffy Lube or Ford dealership I definitely would go to Ford. At least as expensive as every thing is on these cars if something mechanical goes wrong down the line and oil related (such as oil loss, engine failure etc.) you have documentation that Ford did the oil change therefore they can't put you through the ringer fighting you about if a warranty issue is involved etc.

 

[HotLap]

Hey JT, above is the GT350/GT350R splitter install hardware list. I took it with me when I first picked up the GT350 as I had heard some splitters were not coming with all the hardware. I told the dealer specifically to leave the splitter in the trunk and later installed it myself. Note that the GT350 and GT350R have different splitter mounting hardware...

 

[JimT]

View attachment 7322

Hey JT, above is the GT350/GT350R splitter install hardware list. I took it with me when I first picked up the GT350 as I had heard some splitters were not coming with all the hardware. I told the dealer specifically to leave the splitter in the trunk and later installed it myself. Note that the GT350 and GT350R have different splitter mounting hardware...

Thanks! I’m off to order some screws.