Help! Broke down stallion in upper 70's Wisconsin and I'm from central Illinois.

[metaldad]

Help! Broke down stallion in upper 70's Wisconsin and I'm from central Illinois.

Does anyone know what time TMS opens? My stallion is still under warrenty but I'm broke down in Florance Wisconsin. What happened was I went to back up my stallion and it just stopped rolling like I hit something or backed over a wheel chock or something I got me out / off and looked around and tried a couple more times until I asked Simone to watch the wheel and the brake caliper on the drivers side would jamb back and bind up the wheel. I don't ever carry a jack because you have no spare so I can't tell if a bolt broke or come loose. I had problems at home with local Ford dealership not wanting to work on Italy I either did the work myself or had my regular mechanic that work on it. TMS did everything they could to help me at home. But I'm a affraid I won't be able to find help way up here and if I can will they have the parts to fix the problem. I already had to pay for a hotel last night. I'm on a trip so I don't ever know anybody up here to stay with. Has something like this ever happened to anyone before and did TMS reimburse any you for hotel expenses? I can't offord to pay for several nights at a hotel.

 

[Nana]

Re: Help! Broke down stallion in upper 70's Wisconsin and I'm from central Illinois.

How frustrating for you!!!! Definitely call TMS first thing...1-800-908-7453. I believe Richard Purdy is the one to ask for.

But I would also ask the hotel for the number of the largest Ford dealer in the area. Ford company has agreed to service Stallions, and if the service manager will call and talk to Richard, although the Stallion may be totally new to them, the "inner parts" will not be foreign. Richard can explain how to get in there and they will be able to help you, I am sure.

PM me your cell phone #. I am trying to contact a TT member in Green Bay area to see if there is any way they can offer you some immediate support.

 

[Nana]

Re: Help! Broke down stallion in upper 70's Wisconsin and I'm from central Illinois.

Hey metaldad, I've been contacted by several members asking if you are ok. Please be sure to post an update, as many are concerned about you!!!!

 

[John Luciano]

Re: Help! Broke down stallion in upper 70's Wisconsin and I'm from central Illinois.

I am too far to help but I am concerned for your safety. What is happening? You don't have separate front and rear brakes like a motorcycle right? I was goin to suggest to pry the pad apart with a thin screwdriver so you can free it to drive and then only use the front brake.

 

[Gorilla]

Re: Help! Broke down stallion in upper 70's Wisconsin and I'm from central Illinois.

The rear calipers are FORD Fusion. A Ford dealer should be able to at least get you back on the road.

 

[metaldad]

Re: Help! Broke down stallion in upper 70's Wisconsin and I'm from central Illinois.

Hello everyone. My son and I made it home safely a few minutes ago. A special shout goes out to Nana who tried everything to help me but just texting back and forth with me this morning discussing the situation was more help than they realize.

What happened was the back left brake caliper had the top bolt fall out and it would jamb up and prevent the trike from moving in reverse. When the ford tech took a look at it the top bolt was gone and the bottom bolt he turned twice by hand only and it came out. He said loc tite was not used when it was originally installed and it should should have. This comment was challenged by another tech who stated ford brake bolts are packaged already with loc tite so it's not necessary to do it again. I was nervous about the other side so I asked them to check it and when they did they were loose as well so he put loc tite on and bolted it back together. Now we are all nervous so they checked the front and everything was actually tight. On our trip up we ran into some ruff roads around the construction on US 141 and a few other spots and I noticed the steering wheel moved a little off center so I asked them to realign it before he was finished. When he did the small nuts were loose at the joint some may call the coupler but it's where a u-joint would be. The actual rod you turn was very tight but it was enough to convince them to go over the whole trike and they found a few hose clamps loose but said I need to have them go over it at home when I get back with a fine tooth comb and a 500 point inspection. I only mentioned my home is in IL. And TMS business is in texas. I did not want to inform them no ford dealer within a 150 mile radius of my home would do warranty coverage. They (Florence Ford) did a great job and will be willing to work on another one if someone would need or want something done. They may questioned why other dealerships refused, and they may refuse the next time.

They were already nervous about how the reimbursement works with TMS so I did not rock the boat.I jokingly mentioned to them that this may require a road trip from IL to TX and let the mother company to go over it with a 1000 point inspection. I know this is long winded but I feel it necessary to mention what's important. So let me say Rick and all of TMS did everything I expected and more. They did a great job talking a very small dealership in the middle of nowhere to take on a confusing warranty situation on a vehicle/motorcycle and/or a trike sight unseen.

I'll end with I am a mechanically inclined person and all of these problems except the steering wheel alignment was not noticeable at all until I tried backing up. If I hadn't been force to back up at the right time my son and I would have been on the long journey back home and could have ended in a disastrous situation. I've always done pre inspections on motorcycles even to the point of checking bolts. I've always done the standard checks on cars and the Stallion like tire pressure, operating lights, hoses etc. I never imagined it would be necessary to check caliper bolts. So please take this information and check or have your Stallion checked by a porfessional unless you feel my situation was specific. 1 loss of life is to many. I am glad to be home!!!

 

[Nana]

Re: Help! Broke down stallion in upper 70's Wisconsin and I'm from central Illinois.

I am so thankful to hear the good news! You and your son were much in my thoughts and prayers yesterday!!!

Thank you to Richard and the quality TMS crew for taking care of this long-distance! (Honored to have y'all for a sponsor here!!!)

And what a blessing to find local Ford mechanics willing to step outside their comfort zone and be so careful and thorough with your unique vehicle! I wonder if you could send a letter of commendation to their local management as well as to Ford Motor Company?

You and your son will have a shared adventure to talk about for years!!!!

 

[Gorilla]

Re: Help! Broke down stallion in upper 70's Wisconsin and I'm from central Illinois.

Glad your home metaldad. Anything assembeled by humans can fail. We all make mistakes. With that being said we all need to be aware of things that seem strange and check them out, but there are places that you will never check without a sign of possible trouble, like brake caliper bolts. Trikes and Bikes are not like cars. They are not designed to the refinded levels for vibration and smoothness. Harleys are known for you having to look for loose stuff. Most bikes/trikes are no different. The probable only exceptions are the BMW and Goldwings.