I love my new '04 F150 FX4 Screw. I drop it off this evening for the first trip to the dealer. Here is the list of issues I am turning in to them. I have included my $.02 as the possible problems.

Estimated mileage 1,7xx
Dealer: Marshall Ford; O’Fallon, MO

1. First oil change (have coupon)
2. Power steering fluid is low (possible leak)
3. DVD player rattles and bounces during normal driving (headliner may not be fastened properly, plastic fastener does not fit properly)
4. Rattles in the headliner/sunroof/rear window during normal driving (headliner and/or power rear window motor may require stabilizing)
5. Steering wheel nibble at 60+ mph (tires require balancing)
6. Truck bed shakes during normal driving (tires require balancing)
7. Rear passenger side brake rotor is grooved (possible warped rotor)
8. Severe brake dust on front wheels, (I clean them daily, possible warped rotor(s) and/or defective brake pads)
9. Brakes feel soft and are noisy (possible warped rotor(s) and/or defective brake pads)
10. Truck shudders while turning from a complete stop (limited slip differential may be binding)
11. Truck cuts out while turning in 4x4 HI (PCM Re-flash?)
12. Poor throttle response, shift points, and gas mileage (PCM Re-flash?)


I have a sunroof and ceiling mount DVD player installed by the dealer. They did a good job on the install, but the whole headliner bounces and rattles.

I just thought I'd share my issues with the crowd. Any input is welcomed and encouraged.

 

These are the things I've experienced or know about directly, everything else, you're on your own unless someone else can help you.

6. Truck bed shakes during normal driving (tires require balancing)

Truck bed is not actually shaking; it is the cab that is actually shaking. The cab sits on dampened rubber mounts, the bed is bolted solid to the frame. The cab dampening gives a much softer, smoother ride, but it makes the bed look like it's shaking/loose. Don't worry, it's a good thing. If it didn't look like it was shaking, you'd have a much rougher ride.


7. Rear passenger side brake rotor is grooved (possible warped rotor).

Ask around, there ain't a brake rotor on any of these trucks that doesn't have a groove or two in it. If it's severe, nag the dealer and they'll turn it down.

8. Severe brake dust on front wheels, (I clean them daily, possible warped rotor(s) and/or defective brake pads)

This you're going to have to live with. The dust will get to be much less of a problem once you get some mileage on her. You could change pads or put dust shields on, but don't do this unless you have WRITTEN instructions from your dealer to do so. If you don't, someday down the road if your rotors warp, they will blame the pads or the dust shields and won't cover it. This brake dust is the #1 complaint of f150 owners.


9. Brakes feel soft and are noisy (possible warped rotor(s) and/or defective brake pads)

That's just the way they are; if they are obnoxiously loud all the time, something is wrong. If just a groan when setting the parking brake, etc., it's normal. As far as the feel, if you're stopping alright, it's just different than your last vehicle.

10. Truck shudders while turning from a complete stop (limited slip differential may be binding)

Either clutch packs in limited slip or driveshaft slip yoke needs teflon regrease. Mention these two things specificly as there are tsbs regarding these known issues.

11. Truck cuts out while turning in 4x4 HI (PCM Re-flash?)

DO NOT use 4HI on dry/slightly wet pavement. You are stalling out from the drivetrain binding because there is a difference in speeds between the front wheels and back wheels when turning; each axle has a differential that allows the right and left wheels to spin at a different speed when turning, but in 4wd, there is no such differential between the front and back; the transfer case is fixed; so the tires need to slip a little on the ground to make up for the difference. If they can't, your drivetrain will bind up. This is not good at all for the vehicle and why 4x4 should only be used when going straight ahead (pulling up a boat ramp, etc) or in slippy conditions.


12. Poor throttle response, shift points, and gas mileage (PCM Re-flash?)

Depending on your build date, you may or may not bennefit from a reflash. Gas mileage will get better, but it ain't gonna get what the window sticker says. No vehicle will. Best thing to do is buy a 1714 microtuner from troyer performance (call them personally, mention you are a member of this site, and get a huge discount). Best money you will ever spend.

 

Also;

5. Steering wheel nibble at 60+ mph (tires require balancing)

if they can't fix with a normal balancing, insist they take it to a tire shop that can do a "Road Force Balancing". Do a search of the forum with this term and you'll learn a lot. It can detect a bad tire that normal balancing machines cannot.

 

one more thing, in case you didn't get them, here's your nanners:

 

Bought my FX4 saturday took it in tuesday because it was leaking powerstearing fluid. They fixed it up right good.

The truck also had a spot where the automatic painter missed at the bottom trim, got that fixed up.

~Colby

 

Inbred - thanks for the info. I have updated my list to reflect your input. I love forums with helpful smart members.

Cheers -

 

6. Truck bed shakes during normal driving (tires require balancing)

"Truck bed is not actually shaking; it is the cab that is actually shaking. The cab sits on dampened rubber mounts, the bed is bolted solid to the frame. The cab dampening gives a much softer, smoother ride, but it makes the bed look like it's shaking/loose. Don't worry, it's a good thing. If it didn't look like it was shaking, you'd have a much rougher ride."

I've heard this explanation before, but to me it doesn't pass a sanity check on several points. First of all, if it was the cab shaking you should feel it. Secondly, if it was the cab shaking, everything in your mirror would be shaking, not just the bed. When I look in my mirror, I see the bed shaking against a moving, (but not shaking) backdrop of road, trees, etc. Thirdly, the source of the force causing the shaking is tires traveling over undulating pavement. How would one expect this force to not affect something that is bolted to the frame (bed), but then cause the cab to shake when it is ISOLATED from the frame with dampeners.

 

i have heard people are having prombelms with the 2004 back beds shacking wobbling and dancing all around i must say has to be atleast 5 other people i have heard this from so i dont think its the cab either but i might be wrong

 

HotRodderx,

Please, please please re-size your sig graphic (smaller).

Thanks ,

 

i am srry about that i hope that is a little better if it neededs to go smaller just send me a pm and i will reduce even more t

 

HotRodderx,

That's great, thanks. It's nice not to have to scroll to the right through the posts.

~John

 

Good luck! Get ready for truck out of sevice 1month.

 

I guess I tried to oversimplify the answer to the cab shake thing. the cab is shaking in relation to what the rest of the truck is doing. If the frame and bed are shaking and the cab is not, you are looking at it from the cabs point of view. Have someone drive the truck with you sitting in the bed, and you will indeed agree that compared to the bed (and the frame/drivetrain the bed is attached to) that the cab is shaking. It's all about point of view. The bed is bolted rock solid to the frame. the bed won't move unless the frame does. The cab is isolated from the frame on huge rubber mounts. Ever seen a driver get out of a semi truck? the whole cab shakes while the frame of the truck doesn't budge. It is the same concept, except the semi truck uses airbags instead of rubber mounts. Isolating the cab from the vibrations/undulations of the frame and load makes for a smoother, more comfortable ride. The mirrors in which you see the bed shaking and your drivers seat (and your body) are connected to the cab. Anything in the cab or connected to it are isolated from the frame. The frame and bed move together. The cab is indeed shaking a tiny bit, but in a totally different manner than the bed due to the isolation of the cab. You will see the bed shaking, and not the trees because the trees and road are not being shaken by the undulation and bumps of the road. It is because the cab isolation is so good that the bed appears to shake so much. Drive with someone sitting in your bed, and they will tell you that the cab is moving, because they will then be isolated from the cab and will feel and see everything as the bed, frame, and drivetrain do. Does this make sense now? If not, let me know what else you need to know.

 

I work at ford plant and have had multiple people follow me Bed Shakes. It has now become a issue of ratteling my hard cover brkts . They sound like loose cans in the bed when i drive . i thru loose change in my cup holder , change doesn't rattle ?? Agree on rear view mirror all in it's view will be moving if cab was shaking so would side mirror's. If the cab has dampers they are to eliminate it from shaking. Shocks being located on outside of frame is what shakes the bed great ride but issue's it does bring. Ford will not revamp all these trucks to stop bed shake. I was looking into adding inside shocks to possibly help absorb some of the shake and stabilize rear section of frame.

 

My bed does not shake like crazy. When you look in the side mirror while driving, the cab appears stable and the bed is dancing a bit. I've never owned a big truck, so I'm not sure if this is normal. Others have mentioned it, so I figured I'd tell the dealer. Here is a list of exactly what I turned in to them yesterday.

1. First oil change (have coupon)
2. Power steering fluid is low (possible leak)
3. DVD player rattles and bounces during normal driving (headliner may not be fastened properly, plastic fastener does not fit properly)
4. Rattles in the headliner/sunroof/rear window during normal driving (headliner and/or power rear window motor may require stabilizing)
5. Steering wheel vibrates at 60+ mph (tires require balancing)
6. Rear passenger side brake rotor is grooved (possible warped rotor)
7. Severe brake dust on front wheels, (I clean them daily, possible warped rotor(s) and/or defective brake pads)
8. Truck shudders while turning from a complete stop (clutch packs in limited slip and/or driveshaft slip yoke require Teflon grease)
9. Poor throttle response, shift points, and gas mileage (PCM Re-flash?)

Harlin, the guy at Marshall Ford, was very helpful and wrote it up. They started on my truck first thing this morning and I have not heard anything yet. I'll update this thread when I get her back. He also said the amount of brake dust I'm getting is normal. However they will check the rear rotor. We'll see.