After making a whirlwind trip to and from Northern California (1500 miles total) I took my '01 4WD KR in to be serviced - oil change, transmission fluid change, brake fluid replacement, radiator flush / fill, steering pump fluid replacement, tire rotation and balance, front and rear differential fluid replacement (and gaskets)and new heavy duty shocks on all "hoofs". WOW.

While at the service center (a Goodyear service center recommended by a few buddies for their attention to detail) the tech found that the front arm bushings were very cracked causing some cupping to my new(er) tires. As many of you know there are NO zerk fittings to lube these bushings so they naturally dry out, crack and cause front end wear.

The replacement arms have zerk fittings so this will not happen again (but what a cost!!!!!) - and with lifetime alignments at any Goodyear service center.

Seems to me that FORD should help out on the cost of the replacement, since it is their design flaw that causes this to happen (NO way to lubricate them).

Anyone else aware of this situation (and no - I didn't search before I began typing away - my bad).


The good news - my truck rides like it's brand new. Making another trip towing a U-haul trailer this Saturday - my God, I have a lot of "stuff" to move.

 

There IS a way to grease the fittings - $2.99 grease needle is all you need.... I grease all the fittings on mine each oil change every 10K miles (I have a by-pass oil filter system and use Amsoil synthetic).

 

Very interesting, Mike - the FORD stealerships don't even do that to them. Not once did they ever lube the arm bushings. It looks like another bit of maintenance left up to the consumer (that FORD used to supply).

Dem bastishes!!!