OK, On my 1997 XLT 4.2 my exhaust exits right in front of the passenger side rear tire, what I want to know is if there is a problem with it there due to heat blowing on the tire and all. This isnt an aftermarket exhaust system, it was obviously built that way. Any ideas/comments would be greatly appreciated.


Warfire80

 

im guessing your truck is a 97 since thats the only year they made the exhaust exit before the rear tire. I think that they recalled those trucks in so that they could put a 98 tailpipe on it because the exhaust gas was turning the wheel green and possibly hurting the back brakes.
Im not sure on alll the possible problems though.

 

Never had a problem and i have a much higher flowing exhaust...I never understood that green wheel thing ...Never happened to me ..but i actually wash my truck.....

 

My father inlaw had a '97 4x4 which was recalled because of the exhaust. Ford re-ran the pipe out behind the tire. I would check with Ford and see if they will still change it out. If they will not, that will give you an excuse to put duals on it.

Good Luck,

 

As mentioned, the 97 F-150's had the exhaust exit there from the factory. It was changed in 98 and a TSB issued for owners that complained. My brother has a 97 and his chrome painted plastic lug cover turned green after a couple years.

Yes, if you keep the wheel washed very often, then you won't have any issues. But I would ask the dealer if they are still willing to change it. Or it gives you an excuse to upgrade.

 

I had the center cap replaced under warranty,but when i seen TSB on the exhaust I had 37k mi. on truck and they wouldnt correct it.So I then purchased the Gibson S/T and love it.
Now I have 98k mi. and still running strong.

97 F150xlt sc,4x4,S/T exhaust,JET chip,ICEMAN intake,Tornado,MSD wires,Westen cps steps,shadow cowl,Stinger,Edelbrock IAS,Line of Fire,Lund stainless grill.

 

I just pulled upo the TSB. Randy is right. It is covered under the Bumber to Bumper warranty. If you do have problems, I'd pick up a new center cap (or a junk yard one) and a new exhaust, or have a shop put a new tail pipe on it.

 

SPEAKING AS A FORD SERVICE MANAGER, THE EXHAUST TSB WAS ONLY FOR 36/36 WARRANTY. HOWEVER, THE LOCAL DEALER HAS THE RIGHT TO GRANT CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE AT WILL. ALSO YOU CAN REQUEST A " REQUEST FOR REVIEW' FROM THE AREA SERVICE REPRSENTATIVE. HOPE THIS HELPS.

 

I had a flowmaster exhaust put on that way and have had ZERO problems with both stock and non stock wheels. If you keep them clean you wont have anyproblems. Also, most of the people that did have problems were in colder environments.

 

nice pick of gary and michael hasselhof, get if from FHM? haha?

 

humm my tire doesn't turn green either. side skirt gets black though

 

I think the 97's came with drum breaks (rear), so there wouldn't be any real problem with breaking (I could be wrong). As far as the green color on the hub, I've heard of this happening in cold weather areas. My father has a 97 Lariat that has the stock system still on it and he has over 180,000 miles on it. That suckers still going strong!