^ I think we have a winner

 

The 03's and 04's will get the letter next year

 

Where and how much are these so called better replacements???

 

I got the letter earlier this week and plan to take my '99 into the dealer after Hurricane Frances rages through central Florida this weekend.

It mentioned that any repairs would be covered under the original or extended factory warranty so I should be okay. (Got the best 6/75 warranty, so should have another year of coverage to go.)

I would think that if a front-end alignment is necessary after replaceing the tie-rods that the warranty would cover that too. We'll see.

 

I have this weird feeling they're trying to tell us something



Pass the KY

 

Is this in all F150's or just 4x4's and L's. Would the width and size of the tires on L's and 4x4's cause these parts to wear out quicker than they were designed for?

 

No,

The tires have nothing to do with it. This is what we inherit when a vendor meets Ford's projected part cost reduction.

We get parts that don't last. I wonder where our tie rods were made? China? Tiwan?

 

This was a technical service bulletin (tsb) issued last year. For my 99' F150, it was tsb 03-15-13, issued in August of 03'. However, it appears to ultimately affect most if not all, late model F150s including the Lightning. If there is ANY vertical or horizontal play in the tie rod ends or if rubber boot damage, they need to be replaced and I would replace ALL of them anyway.

From posts from this site, it appears that, the outer tie rod ends are the most common to fail. When they fail, the tie rod end seperates and you loose control of the steering!!!!!! Usually only one tie rod end fails at one time, therefore you may have some control over steering for emergency proceedures or you may not. This can occur with very low miles or very high miles on the vehicle.

From posts from this site, it appears that, it is not uncommon to hear a popping noise at low speed turns, such as, when parking or leaving driveways and or parking lots as a sign of pending tie rod end failure. It also appears from posts from this site that, it is not uncommon for the failure to occur during low speed turns. But, it could happen while taking a hairpin curve at 90 mph!!!!

Due to my steering obsession (just bought a re-valved 03' L steering gear box and installing this weekend) I have already replaced all my steering linkage (and ball joints) with Moog replacements. Moog are quality parts that can be greased.

Although, there were several factors with mine, I began to hear the popping noise while entering and exiting parking garages AFTER I lowered it. Therefore, I do not know if lowering it and the related "outta wack" steering geometry increased forces on the tie rod ends and caused the popping noise and potential and pending tie rod failure to begin. In my situation, it could have been the ball joints. I do not know, since I replaced the linkage and balljoints at the same time.

I do know that, my father received the same letter on his 99' and there was a pre-existing tsb for his truck.

I thought everyone already knew about this?

 

Replaced my tie rods, ball joints and end links with Moog's. Awesome stuff. Lifetime gaurantee.

 

Do you think us guys who've done suspension work will have trouble getting replacement tie-rods covered under warranty?

 

Well, if they knew of this problem in 99, but sent the letter for my 01 in 04, When do you think you'll get your letter?

 

Ford is just a few years behind. They did headcount reduction in that department and now there is only one person licking envelopes. 04 owners should be getting their letters mid year 06.

 

What are you guys paying to replace the tie rods with the Moog equipment??

 

A Hole

Yah, what does it cost to replace the China parts with Moog equipment?