Well here’s an update on mine.

The roads are clear so I took it for a test drive with the Road Forced BFG 285/70R/17s on the front and the new tires on the rear. The Road Force value for the two tires on the front are 11 & 12, well within Fords required “X” value. The steering wheel nibble/vibration is back, probably because the guys at the shop installed the tires/wheels like every other tire/wheel should be mounted, instead of doing the complete TSB feeler-gauge low spot hub trick.

Since my dealer feels that the truck is fine with the factory set-up, I’m going to draft a letter to Ford and my State AG and see what they have to say about me having to have “special” tire mounting proceedures along with "special" tires to make the truck perform as advertised.

I’ll let you guys know what they have to say.

Chuck

 

I am with you . I have the same da*& problem.

 

Me too...steering nibble. Going back to the dealer on Monday....again. *sigh*

 

Mine is still in the shop, since December 15!


Honestly, do you think there is a problem?

it has 2800 miles on it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

What is road force value? Think about it. The roads are smoother than they have ever been and our 4WD top of the line trucks shake all over them.

Excuse me! just my 2004 FX4.

I invite all those that just think this is bad press, to hook up with me, and I will drive your smooth truck, and you drive mine, and we will compare notes.

I bet there is not many takers...


oh! hold up! when i get mine back!!!!

I have made one payment now and I am still driving a nasty loaner.

 

IF anybody still believes that this isn’t a systemic problem with the 04 F150 all they’d have to do is perform a Google Search on; 2004 F150 Vibration. I found several boards including this one, and a couple of new car reviews. I also checked the complaint section of the NHTSA. There were about 225 Ford F150 complaints and I think that about half were suspension, steering, and/or tire related. Had I done some thorough research on the new F150 prior to buying mine, I’d be driving something different right now. Odds are OK when playing the lottery, but not when laying out cash for a truck.

TSB 04-25-7 calls for a R1H of 25lbs, so what I can’t understand is why does my steering nibble persist with tires that have ˝ of the acceptable Road Force value? Do all the other 04 F150 owners have perfect tires? Am I, and some of you, just cursed?

I used to own a 1967 Series IIA Land Rover that was right hand drive, when I could get it up to 65 MPH (downhill with a tailwind) it drove better than my 04 F150.

Chuck

 

Update on mine:

Dropped off Friday morning. Got a message at home today that said the guy talked with "Ford" and is ordering a "body mount kit" and a "rear transmission mount". Parts will be in on Wednesday and take about one day to install. I'll let you know what happens.

Back to driving the Ford Focus loaner. :-(

 

I spoke to my dealer on January 4th. He said that they had replaced the body mounts, transmission mounts, and the drive shaft but still had a vibration and that they needed my truck for several more days. Haven't heard anything from them since.