2017 GT Rear Wing Dithers


JoeGottaGT

New member
Dec 2, 2021
3
FLA, AZ or OH
Just purchased a 2017 GT with only ~500 miles. When accelerating fast to 75mph the wing snaps up then dithers about an inch up and down. It creates a pretty good thunking noise. It continues until the speed slows enough for the wing to retract. Alternatively, when I slowly ease up to 75mph the wing deploys and holds solid. No Dithering works normally then retracts when speed is reduced. I have not had it diagnosed yet but wanted to ask the GT population if anyone else has experienced this? Thanks in advance.
 

Special K

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Aug 23, 2016
1,781
Franklinton, LA
Welcome the forum and NFGT ownership! I haven’t heard of this issue, but if others have experienced it this is the place to figure it out. Interesting that it is affected by amount of throttle. Maybe some air trapped in the hydraulic system?
 

STORMCAT

GT
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
May 25, 2006
7,575
Ft. Lauderdale
Congratulations and welcome .The wing will go up at 74-75 miles an hour in sport mode and 93 in normal mode.. It sounds like you have some air and the hydraulic system. I would continue to drive the car. it may Purge the air on its own Is through normal cycling of the wing. If not you'll have to go to the dealer and the Tech can bleed the system..
 
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w.a.nelson

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Feb 29, 2008
1,117
Asbury, NJ
Brian,
Have you been above 93?
 

italianjoe

Well-known member
Apr 9, 2018
205
Dearborn Heights Mi.
Hello JoeGattaGt, some early ford gt had some issue's would need a little bit more information....like was the recall performed and has any updates been done ect....if you would like to call me send me a message and I will give you my number so I can better advise you.

Joe
 

Ed Sims

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Apr 7, 2006
7,922
NorCal
Welcome Joe to the best forum in the world! These are the guys who can help you!

Ed
 

extrap

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Jul 16, 2020
1,898
Gainesville FL
Welcome! Looking forward to seeing what ya got 🍻
 

Special K

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Aug 23, 2016
1,781
Franklinton, LA
So it dithers, but does it dather?
 

Specracer

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Nov 28, 2005
7,154
MA
Since day one, I have always driven in sport mode, one of the main reasons is to have the wing cycle as much as possible to keep the hydros moving.
 

THamonGT

GT
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Because this GT only has 500 miles and wasn’t driven much at all, it could have air in the hydraulic system and needs to be purged! I have said this before “ If You Don’t Drive These New Ford GT’s and work the Hydraulics YOU WILL HAVE PROBLEMS”! Every Delivery Specialists emphasizes this fact and when you purchase Used no one is going to tell you! Be aware of non driven GT’s especially those out of warranty!
 

roketman

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Oct 24, 2005
8,086
ma.
I drive mine in wet mode! All that power scares me!!
 

STORMCAT

GT
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
May 25, 2006
7,575
Ft. Lauderdale
Brian,
Have you been above 93?
once or twice... :)
 
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JoeGottaGT

New member
Dec 2, 2021
3
FLA, AZ or OH
That makes sense. I will continue to drive and cycle it through operation which should purge any entrained air. Given the previous owner and the car only having about 550 miles I'm guessing he may never have gotten the wing to cycle through.
 
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w.a.nelson

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Feb 29, 2008
1,117
Asbury, NJ
Brian,
I'm sure many time above 193 also.

Wish we had your weather here. Car is hibernating.

Happy Holidays!
 

JoeGottaGT

New member
Dec 2, 2021
3
FLA, AZ or OH
Hi Joe,
Hydraulics like to be "exercised" on a regular basis and now that someone mentioned air in the system I am almost certain it's causing the unusual behavior. Like everything I own this thing will be driven and exercised on a regular basis. The car is in FLA and I took it in for an oil change a few days ago. Rick the GT tech at Sarasota Ford is EXTREMELY knowledgeable and a car guy to the core. We hit it off and he spent a lot of time talking thru everything about the car. He has serviced this car and many other GT's and also knew the previous owner very well.
Appreciate your offer and already getting value from this forum.

~Joe
 
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Specracer

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Nov 28, 2005
7,154
MA
Welcome to the forum, you will totally learn the value of this place. Seems sleepy but, the knowledge is deep
 

JWZ

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Nov 17, 2013
754
Texas
Congratulations on the GT! Post a few pix when you can. Thanks for helping me add a new word to my vocabulary today! Dithers!! Did a quick study on it….
 
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fjpikul

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Jan 4, 2006
11,680
Belleville, IL
Mr Dithers was Dagwood's boss in Blondie the comic strip. Quit acting like you are too young to remember.
 
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