The longtime owner's What Broke? and When did it Break? Thread
Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 39
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From: Vassalboro, ME
My previous 97 XLT 4.6 SCAB 4x4:
Engine went at 126,000, threw rod
Transmission went at 154,000 after engine replacement
It had the same shocks from 88k when I bought it, to 212k when I sold it
don't know the interval but only suspension components replaced over the course of me owning it were upper and lower balljoints on both sides
Last edited by ApocalypseF150; Jun 8, 2011 at 05:06 PM. Reason: added content on topic
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,200
Likes: 39
From: Easton, Pa.
Yesir, the trucks after 85 got muti Fuel Injection and EEC engine control.
Early in the 90s the new motors came out with PCM control and a whole new game came into being.
As of 2004 the PCM works on the CAN system so there you have 3 versions of engine control and throttle by wire, no more physical cable. BTW the latest PCM version was mandated by the gov.
As you can see, the posted issues are often beyond the owner to handle and it won't get better anytime soon.
Put another way , things are pretty d*m deep any more and need the services of a dealer and their cost.
Codes! there are nearly 2000 possibles built into various builds now in true computer fashion.
Want more? The operating system deals in at least 4 different numbering systems. Decimal, binay, octal and hex coding.
The only defense for some of it is become a student of the system and learn about what you can handle and own a good "scanner" and interpet what you see with it.
Good luck.
Early in the 90s the new motors came out with PCM control and a whole new game came into being.
As of 2004 the PCM works on the CAN system so there you have 3 versions of engine control and throttle by wire, no more physical cable. BTW the latest PCM version was mandated by the gov.
As you can see, the posted issues are often beyond the owner to handle and it won't get better anytime soon.
Put another way , things are pretty d*m deep any more and need the services of a dealer and their cost.
Codes! there are nearly 2000 possibles built into various builds now in true computer fashion.
Want more? The operating system deals in at least 4 different numbering systems. Decimal, binay, octal and hex coding.
The only defense for some of it is become a student of the system and learn about what you can handle and own a good "scanner" and interpet what you see with it.
Good luck.
Last edited by Bluegrass; Jun 8, 2011 at 05:28 PM.
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Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Wisconsin
Well I try not to get too old farty about it. Sure my 70's F150s were a breeze to work on (both had the straight 6 300 motors - left enough room in the engine compartment to just crawl right in and do whatever you need to), but in all honesty, the new trucks are soooooo much better. I don't remember with certainty what kind of gas mileage I got back then, but I'm kind of thinking my 97 F250 Supercab 4WD 5.4L V8 gets as good or better gas mileage than my old 2WD f150 6-bangers from the 70s that sometimes struggled to maintain 60mph if there was a good headwind. Those 70s trucks had rust holes in about 3 to 4 years around here, needed new exhaust every couple of years, adjusting carbs and chokes and points and timing and . . .
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 55
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From: NC
I'm the original owner of my 94' F150 XLT 4X4 that currently has just over 80,000 miles on it. Truck has the 5.8L motor and EOD4 tranny.
Originally developed some "klunking" in the drive train during the first couple of years. After numerous trips to the dealer - and them telling me they all do it (this is my 5th F150 4x4) a dealer in another town found that the yoke had an engineering change on it and replaced it - problem gone.
Since then -
Replaced front brake pads around 60,000 miles
Throttle position sensor / acutator sometime around 70,000
Had to replace the EGR tube about 75,000 as it rusted and developed a hole in it.
Replaced the transmission neutral safety switch last year after fighting a problem with the transmission slipping in and out of gear at cruising speed.
Replaced radiator hoses last year too and the surpentine belt a couple years ago.
Otherwise no other issues that I can think of other than plugs, plug wires and distributor cap at one point - and oil changes of course. This one doesn't even have leaks like most of my early trucks did
Originally developed some "klunking" in the drive train during the first couple of years. After numerous trips to the dealer - and them telling me they all do it (this is my 5th F150 4x4) a dealer in another town found that the yoke had an engineering change on it and replaced it - problem gone.
Since then -
Replaced front brake pads around 60,000 miles
Throttle position sensor / acutator sometime around 70,000
Had to replace the EGR tube about 75,000 as it rusted and developed a hole in it.
Replaced the transmission neutral safety switch last year after fighting a problem with the transmission slipping in and out of gear at cruising speed.
Replaced radiator hoses last year too and the surpentine belt a couple years ago.
Otherwise no other issues that I can think of other than plugs, plug wires and distributor cap at one point - and oil changes of course. This one doesn't even have leaks like most of my early trucks did
Technical Article Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,584
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From: Sask. Canada
I've broke lots. Replaced the motor because of blow by right at 200,000. Trans gave up the ghost at 237,000. Front brakes and rear u joints I do yearly. Lower ball joints, passenger side inner and outer tie rod ends, idler arm. 4 Low still doesn't work. Starter around 220,000. Both vacuum disconnect solenoids for 4x4. Both rear axle seals and the front drivers side axle seal. Sway bar end links. Only 1 cv boot (I'm really surprised). Belt tensoiner. Water pump.
I used to keep track of what I replaced and when in my little book but gave up on this old truck trying to keep track lol.
I used to keep track of what I replaced and when in my little book but gave up on this old truck trying to keep track lol.
Technical Article Contributor
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 25,641
Likes: 19
From: MI
I can't remeber. -My headliner material is sagging @ 272,000 miles. Now how does that come unclucked ? There's nothing fricken mechanical there. Sagging like an old lady's, umm-Draps!
How do I fix that, - roofing stapler ?
How do I fix that, - roofing stapler ?
Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 23
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From: Livermore, CA
Original owner of '03 Heritage edition. Just went over 50K. Only issue I've had is with the rear differential. Clutch packs were replaced by the dealer under warranty at about 20K miles. They said the friction modifier wasn't added. Well, just started acting up again after I put on a new diff cover and changed the oil. Used Lucas synthetic. Talked to a differential shop and the guy said the get the synthetic oil out and go with conventional oil and 2 bottles of modifier. Did that and the chatter went away! No other problems - just routine maint and changed the O2 sensors to see if I could get better MPG's. Truck even has original battery, headlights, shocks, etc. So far so good!!!
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 448
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From: Springfield, USA (DOH!)
not much
I got into my 2002 -150 about 4 years ago with about 100k on the truck. I've replaced U-joints, Brake pads+rotors, spark plugs(twice), and intake manifold gaskets.
I think the only thing that "failed" would be the intake gasket. that was also the reason for the second changing of the spark plugs- since the intake was off, why not!
Truck has 150,000+miles on it currently.
I think the only thing that "failed" would be the intake gasket. that was also the reason for the second changing of the spark plugs- since the intake was off, why not!
Truck has 150,000+miles on it currently.
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Joined: Jul 2011
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I just want to clarify that I'm not implying that "things that broke" are necessarily design or manufacturing problems. When you own a truck for almost 15 years, things are going to break and/or wear out. Overall, I've been very happy with my F250.
That said, there are a few things on my list that I do think were either design issues or manufacturing defects or just things that bug me.
I would add that my truck is kept outside 100% of the time.
That said, there are a few things on my list that I do think were either design issues or manufacturing defects or just things that bug me.
- The door switches were definitely a defect, as a lot of others had this same problem. Not a biggy though.
- The manifolds rusting down to nothing seem to be an issue (according to mechanics I've talked to, its "only on Fords"). I honestly don't know why, but the fact that both my manifolds eventually needed to be replaced, and the conditions my "New" ones are already in is not anything I ever experienced with other vehicles.
- The parking brake engagement levers on the rear wheels that rust together (freezing the parking brake) are clearly a design flaw. Mine were frozen within a few years. This is on the the rear discs with the small drum just for the parking brake.
- The location of the starter solenoid on my 5.4 is so exposed that mine constantly corrodes and fails (3 starters already all for the same reason). I even put stuff on it to try to slow down the corrosion.
- The rusting on the bottom inside of my doors was either a design or manufacturing problem. Mine started rusting within the few years (all three doors). I'd lump the rocker panels in this same category. Either design them so water doesn't get in there, or design them so it can more easily and completely drain out.
- The gas tank straps breaking (due to rust) also bugs me just because stuff that's as important as the straps that keep the gas tank from falling off the truck should be a bit more corrosion resistant (fortunately I had skid plates that kept the tank from completely falling off). I'd say the same for the brake lines, but every manufacturer seems to use crappy brake lines.
I would add that my truck is kept outside 100% of the time.
Previous owner of my '03 Flareside did a good job of maintenance:
Other than regular oil changes (like clockwork) and transmission, radiator flush, fuel filters...
45K rear tranny seal
80K rear brakes
116K front brakes
124K third set of tires
QS
Last edited by 99quicksilver; Aug 13, 2011 at 10:37 PM.
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From: Wisconsin
And modern vehicles are far more rust resistant than they were 30 or 40 years ago, but you can still see where the manufacturer chooses to save money by skimping on rust protection. With the exception of design problems where a body panel ends up trapping moisture, the body panels hold up pretty well to rust. But almost everything underneath the vehicle is a different story. You can see where they are finally doing a recall on those gas tank straps (mine broke 3 years ago). The brake lines are another example (I had to replace all of mine).