Got a letter from Ford today stressing that I {F150 owners} should inspect the tie rod ends every 15,000 miles. This sounds fishy to me. Like there is a knowen problem.

Has anybody had any tie rod end problems?

It also specificly mentioned the ball joints too.


Andy

 

Mine are all loose, tie rods, ball joints, everything.

This is only after 50,000 miles.

I'm fixing to replace everything, the above parts + any replaceable bushings.

 

I got one today as well. All mine said is that they have a new way of inspecting the ends and that you should be aware that if you go to a non Ford Dealer, they might not know about the new process.

-Kimball

 

Yeah Kimball that was what mine said too. However after reading the "new inspection process" it sounded like the same way any backyard mecanic would do it.

It just sounded to me like they were trying to warn us of a problem without saying theres a problem.

Andy

 

Thats the feeling I got from it.... I recieved mine last week, guess I will have to check it out...seeing as my truck has never been in for any kind of work other than new tires...and I know they didnt do anything but slap them on.

 

I got that letter as well. After reading it several times I came away feeling that there IS a problem with the tie rods. I mean that the first paragraph seems to be devoted to convincing me that Ford is concerned with quality and safety, which I surely hope they are. But then to come back with inspection tips on tie rods and say it is to be done every 15k. Well, ok, I suppose that is a good idea, but what about brake pads, axle seals, intercooler leaks? Why not mention inspection processes for those as well if this was just an FYI? Too specific for my tastes.....

 

Solution: XMP's bumpsteer kit/replacement tie rod ends.

 

got a Link?

 

Here are scans of the procedure:




Tom

 

Do yourself a favor and replace em all with Moog's, thats what I'm doing. Lifetime warranty and greasable, much higher quality then that OEM crap.

 

Does anyone have an actual web site source to order from?

 

If at anytime Ford sends out a letter informing the customers they need to check anything on a truck every 15K. They messed up and it's their way of getting out of a recall by stating it's the owners responsibility to check. I remember the days at Ford when parts were engineered to last 70K miles+.

My truck has under 50k and the tie rods are shot. This is what we get when Ford tells the suppliers to cut cost. Quality goes in the dump. I have one question for Coletti.

Is the next Gen3 Lightning going to have the same STUPID quality issues since Ford is cutting jobs and along with it, quality control? I will never buy a new SVT product again. Ran the truck 5 years and no exclusivity. No major updates to improve the quality. Just take it in and stick the same new part on with the same failure rate.

My plastic rocker moldings have white spots in the plastic where they clip. Lack of meterial and it's the second set. I don't stand on or touch them getting in and out. Just cheap B.S.

The $37+K price tag on the gen 3 isn't going to be worth the quality were going to get. Wait and see brothers and sisters. It's going to get worse. I'll just buy the engine parts and make up my own 4V motor. At least the engineering from Roush will be in the engine. I have already fixed all the qaulity issues on my Gen2 except for the PISTON SLAP!

"Incompetence breeds inefficiency"

OK, done ranting. Going back outside to take off the s/c for it's 15K mile inspection.

 

LMAO ain't that the truth.

got the letter last week too

 

I may be wrong but if they do that "test" wouldnt they have to set the toe afterwords? So you go in for a check and have to pay to have it aligned??even if you have warranty it wont cover alignment!

 

I see that this letter covers F150’s up to 2002. So is there something different with the 03 & 04’s? Did they make a design change or are they waiting until our warranties are up until they send us a letter?