Once again, my directness is misinterpreted as anger.

We have never had a problem, Rob, and I doubt that we ever will. I just think that you (and a lot of others) are FOS on this one.

Like EZGZ, "I just tell it like I see it and try and stay positive."

Errr . . . , well . . ., actually, I don't give a rat's *ss about staying positive.

 

Me too............I actually thought it was simply a way for Ford to drum up some business for it's dealers. It sure looks that way to me.

I use mine to tow my Lightning all over the country, so far so good.......70k miles and counting.

Now watch the darned front end come apart on my way to Cordova next week ....



Rocks

 

Holy crap relax - its for info purposes

the tie rod ends are spring loaded thus there is a specific procedure on testing them. Some places like small shops don't know how to properly test them thus the info is given so that if one is bad its not missed. Just like when you test a balljoint the weight has to be off the balljoint (eg on an f150 the lower contol arm has to be supported, on a superduty it doesn't, there is always a correct way to do something and not all vehicles are the same)

Btw idlers are greasable and should be greased at every oil change.

If we are giving examples my mom's 98 f150 4x4 that sees gravel roads all the time has over 180,000k has the original balljoints, tie rod ends and idler.

My other truck 99 f150 4x4 that rolled twice still didn't take out a tie rod end. It also did not damage the box, but it did kick up the back of the frame and bent it a bit, it sat upside down over night and after fixing it all i had to do was put on a new cab, have the frame straighend and get it recertified. If you want to go even futher the battery that sat upside down is still the same one. So i still think ford must be doing something right.

You guys spend more on bling that what a tie rod would cost, if its underwarrenty its covered if its not, o well buy a new one. How much do those lightning floor mats cost? How many year warrenty are on them?

 

i hate you..........but you have a point.

 

What does premature part failure have to do with bling? I expect to get a quality product when I fork out hard earned cash for it. The people out spending bling on A/M items aren't expecting to pay for new parts that should last 35K additional miles after the warranty is up.

What about the People who launched a plug out the head after the warranty was up! People bought the truck on good faith that they were getting quality. Ford denies them help, full well knowing there has been a head issue.

We knew about it in small V8 powertrain. Took 4 years to add some threads to a head. No excuse for it. Ford get's your $$$ and then they bend you over when their part fails and you just go off warranty. My advice is to anyone who buys a Ford to get the extended warranty. All makes and models. Things are getting worse there and it's only going to show more in the product.

Many of us are off warranty and parts are breaking 5-15K miles after. This is why Toyota will be the No.2 Automaker soon.

My owners manual doesn't say to re-grease the sealed idler bearings as routine maintenance @ every oil change? Maybe Ford should have put that in their letters too! "Idler bearings may lose grease and is up to the owner to check at every oil change." Suuuuuuure!

Maybe, Just maybe, there are some Lightning owners that don't get on the internet boards to hear about the issues.

I guess they are S.O.L. Lucky us!

As long as people are willing to accept crap and play it off. The companys will continue to build it.

Ford doing something right? What is my Ford stock worth right now? Hmmm! $14.21 as of C.O.B. today.
By the time I'm ready to retire it should be at $20.00 a share at this rate. That's if Toyota doesn't buy them first.

 

Stan, I disagree with your statement. Go buy a Toyota product. It's not sexy, not really pretty, not the highest hp... but it works. I discussed this with a buddy of mine who owns a shop today. Have you ever heard a Toyota owner say they have a lemon. I haven't and he hasn't either. But I've heard it plenty from Gm, Ford, Chrysler, Mazda, Suzuki owners but mostly domestics.

TB

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Thor01
Many of us are off warranty and parts are breaking 5-15K miles after. This is why Toyota will be the No.2 Automaker soon.

Toyota is the No 2 manufacturer is the world currently and in less than 10 years they will be No 1. GM is loosing market share every year while Toyota has double digit growth every single year. Heck, they might get there in the next 5 years.

TB

 

YIKES I'm screwed (eek)
hehehehehe

Tim I'm sure I (and others) are making more out of it than maybe it is, it just seemed like they were saying something without saying it. I guess I do like to make a mountain out of a mole hill.
If I can drill and tap holes in my Upper, cut into each and every COP Connection we have, continue to be THEE only person to ever wrench my L, I can change tie rod's in my sleep, been there done that hundreds of times..........

So whats this I hear about the new Gen Mustangs being all screwed up

 

We all know Ford is crap but we buy anyway...stop complaining. You can either (1) trade it in or (2) mod the fack out of it and enjoy for what it's worth.

I NEVER had probs with my Hondas, Toyotas or BMWs. This is my third Ford and third problem vehicle. Will I buy another Ford? Will Kerry win the presidential election?...I think NOT!

 

Thor

read your maitence schedule? if you have grease zerks then they should be greased every oil change. People cry for them but never grease them. Who's fualt it that? Do you follow your maitence schedule? If you had a toyota you'd better, that is if you want warrenty.

The letter is for info - it does not mean they wear out early. It simply tells you or the shop you take your truck to how to properly check them. Just like a drop in K&n has a specific procedure of installing the drop in filter, yet I've seen people who don't install the foam sealing ring. (people don't always do things properly)

Bottom line if you like a different brand then by that, but you will be seing the rest of our taillights.

BTW ford is not the only one that launches plugs/piston slap/front end problems, etc. I've also done a head gasket on a mr2 so i guess that means they all have head gasket problems (thats the mentality around here, if one does it they all must)

 

"If you have" My 01 truck doesn't have the zerk fittings in the tie rods. Suppliers did away with them to reduce cost. That has hurt the owners not allowing use to add grease to keep up the maintenance and parts going.

Since you don't know my background. I was one of the 200 that got pink slips last year. Ford Powertrain engineering. I worked with the people that write the proceedures for TSB's. I was the guy working with suppliers to make band-aids to get the car to Job#1.

I have never owned a Toyota or anything but a Ford. My family has over 175 years invested in Ford. All uncles, first starting in 1929 and my brother is still at Ford. Mother, father included. So, we can rule out buying anything else. Can't say that any of us will not be buying a foreign car in the future. The way Ford & GM is going, we will be in 15 years.

You guys think things aren't bad in Ford engineering? Read this and you'll know the guys designing your cars & trucks are pissed at Ford. Soon all of engineering will be U.A.W. When you let people go, their work has to fall on others with no O/T pay. Now you know one of the reasons quality is suffering. The other is ford telling the suppliers to cut,cut,cut.

http://www.detnews.com/2004/autosins...c01-261615.htm

Speedjunky, I already opted for #2. I still shouldn't be replacing interior parts due to stress markes turning the gray white. Not to mention the Foglights are hitting the wallet for a third time.

I'm just telling it, like I seen it for the last 16 years.

TrackBeast, I agree with you. It just goes to show how the union protects job's. Doesn't gurantee quality. Toyota doesn't have unions and have bennefited greatly from it.

 

Maybe you might want to re-think that Toyota quality

http://kdka.com/consumer/local_story_154174957.html

 

Im with Thor01 on this one. Ford is trying to tell us in that letter that we are screwed. I love my L and plan on keeping it until I die but it is the last new Ford I will ever buy. Some people buy a new truck to find out that their ball joints are worn out at 50K or less! Give me a break. My beater Cavalier has over 173,000 on the original tie rods and ball joints with hardly any free-play(yes they have grease fittings). Ford is basically saying, "sure we'll replace your front end out of warranty for $$." I'm voting with my wallet on this one. Are you listening Ford? No wonder your stock is nearly worthless.

 

I went to my Ford dealer yesterday. I love driving into the enclosed service write-up area revving up the long tubes...i have always been up front understanding it's my problem on warranty for modding my truck so i just simply don't care...feels good...anyway my service writer said this procedure was sent out just to ensure that aftermarket shops know and understand the procedure for this. I have 31,000 and have only checked this area myself and the dealer offered to inspect the ball joints/tie rods for me next week at no charge. Pretty cool of them i think.

 

thor actually I meant the idler arm is greaseable but at any rate i do agree that they and other vehilce have problems as I to have only had fords and the biggest thing that bugs me is that every year ford wants more money but takes items away. With that said i still feel the letter is for info and its good that ford sent out a proper procedure on how to check them. (whether they were forced to or not I do not know)

I also think unions are not required anymore and from most of the ones I've seen create poor workmanship and laziness. Its generally hard to fire unionized people even if they are completly useless at there job, plus senoirity can play a bigger role than compentecy. However I'm sure there is arguments for both sides.