Is something going on with newer Ford Parts production?

[Platonic Solid]

I’ve been waiting for a left front sensor ring (aka: tone ring) from the dealer for my son’s 2001 Escort for over a month, and it’s still on back order! It’s not like this is a rare exotic car . . . . it’s an Escort!!!

Now I’m praying the part will arrive before he has to go back to college. If it doesn’t come in, I’ll have to see if I can find a way to disable the ABS system. With the cracked sensor ring, the brakes pulsate all the time when pressed.

(Disclaimer: I freely admit that I have no idea what a sensor ring is, does, or looks like)

This blows.

 

[StangDreamin']

I'm not saying it's the fault of Ford (or any other manufacturer); but "obsolesence" seems to be hitting cars and trucks earlier and earlier in their life spans. As new automotive technology comes out, everybody jumps on the bandwagon; and the "old tech" is phased out of regular production, and is cranked out in small "limited production" runs. I saw this when doing the brakes on Larry; even the Chinese manufacturers had a greater variety of rotors for the '04-'07 F150 then they did for the '99-'03 model years.

On the other hand, if you can't find parts to fix your old(er) car; you're gonna have to buy a new one, right?

That's okay; it's possible that some day there'll be a company that specializes that will offer "concours-quality" repop ABS parts for the last of the "classic" Escorts

 

[Platonic Solid]

... That's okay; it's possible that some day there'll be a company that specializes that will offer "concours-quality" repop ABS parts for the last of the "classic" Escorts

I have a sudden strong desire to slap my classic plates on the Escort

Now, having done a little research, it appears that the sensor ring comes preassembled to the CV drive axel. And that's only about $70, though I suppose that may be much more labor, but I am kind of irked that the dealer didn't at least suggest that as an option.

 

[StangDreamin']

I dunno; you might have to pull apart the CV joint to install a new "tone ring" to it anyway. And since you're in there and the CV joint has HOW MANY miles on it? And how about the other side? And..... and...... and..........

Will there be more repro parts for the "glass headlight" Escorts than the "plastic headlight" Escorts? Will the "round-edged" escorts be the least popular, therefore seemingly never get replacement sheetmetal? I guess Kar-Krafters et all will be gearing up to make "GT" and "ZX2" parts first, of course! And I have no doubt in my mind that the Lynx collectors will just keep waiting for stuff; and/or modifying Escort sheetmetal to fit.....
Especially the guys with the last generation of Lynx's; those guys will seem to NEVER get sheetmetal

Hey, will many of us be deriding the Focus; 'cause it's the "Escort 2"? Maybe calling it the Fiesta-scort?

 

[Platonic Solid]

Apparently, according to the dealer, several OEM Ford parts manufacturers have gone out of business this past year.

I'm having them install an aftermarket CV axel, part cost is about $90. I could get the OEM axel, but that's $344. No wonder they're going out of business.

 

[geostang351]

Apparently, according to the dealer, several OEM Ford parts manufacturers have gone out of business this past year.

Probably going out of business because the have the word "Mustang" in their business name?