Wow - this board is unbelievable!! Here I am looking all over for internet info from other new L owners and it's right under my nose. I found more interesting stuff in one hour scanning everyones posts than I have in the two months I've owned my L. I couple of questions:

1. I seen something posted regarding front end noise. Can someone reply on the specifics and let me know if it's been addressed by their dealership? I periodically hear a clunking sound (best description I can come up with) when leaving the parking lot and the fronts are returning to neutral steering.
2. Is anyone having problems with their CD player? Mine will stop for no given reason (I can be sitting in the driveway and it will do it) and will not play again until the truck is completely shut off. I can understand it if I hit a sharp bump but this problem happens for no particular reason.

I'm new to the board but would appreciate input from any and all. I look forward to being a steady member and will gladly post anything of interest I pick up (no pun intended)!

***************************************

99.5 Red Lightning with bedliner, SST soft cover, & clear turn signal lenses (from F150online). Have only lost to a Camaro SS so far!

 

I agree Topcat! Ive learned more here,than any other site. I havnt noticed any of the problems mentioned. Ive only got 320 mi on the Great White Road Hog! Ha! I will surely be listening for Front end clunks/piston slap or any other abnormal noises. Thanks everyone for all the info!! Im still trying to decide between Spray on Liner/ Duraliner??The Lightning is by far the most entertaining ride ive ever owned. Climbing out of my 69 F-100, it better be!
So how bad did the SS beat ya? Ive allready made a few GM believers! (Trucks)
Man, i love this truck!

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John Rock
99.5 White Lightning

 

I have heard the front end clunk noise twice now, I hav only 120 mile on my Red lighting but the noise is very disturbing. I had a Mustang GT the other day that wanted to race
I just gave him a spanking from 0 -50 then let up on it when I hit the spped limit. I
will listen up for this noise in try to pinpoit exaclty where it is coming from but if you all hear anything let me know. I also found a possible defect in one of my rims,the rear drivers side rim looks like the aluminum is bubbling out a little has anyone seen this on any of their rims?
I have some good digital Pix of my truck and engine if anybody need some let me know and I can e-mail them. I have no paint at all rubbing off on the supercharger pully like
some other users are complaining about I think this is very abnormal and I would be at the dealship front office until they were repaired. I have photo's of what the pully should look like if you need some pix let me know>

Stay Cool,
Terry

 

asdeman: I'm looking for some good pics of the lighting. Mind sending some my way @ kkirt1@hotmail.com? All of 'em if you can!

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'97 F150 Lariat, Flareside, SC, ORP, 5.4, Mods: 305/70/16 GY ATS, AR Baja wheels, dual exhaust, Smittybilt nerf bars, fog light mod and Big Bird mirror toy.

 

I had the noise in the front end, I took it back to the dealer and they re-torqued the suspention on the left and the noise is gone, It seems that after I backed up and turned the steering counter clockwise, then the next time I took a hard right and braked I would get the clunk, its gone but I still have a very small noise when I turn all the way clockwise and listen carefully. im going in for my 3,000 next week so they are going to take a look at it. The only other thing is the pully loosing the paint. other then that im loving this truck.............
-Keith

 

Ford has updated the SVT website: http://www2.ford.com/svt/

The gallery has several good Red and Black Lightning pictures (sorry, no white).

The SVT store says it will now open in August.

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Bo Meyer
99.5 Black Lightning

 

Teamford - asdeman - KeithN: Thanks for the input. The odd part about the front end noise is that it isn't consistent. The beast is scheduled for the dealership next week so hopefully they're able to correct whatever is wrong. I didn't receive any replies on the CD player so I'll presume it's peculiar to my truck and treat it accordingly.

Teamford: I never got the opportunity to go side by side with the SS out of the hole so I can't really say how we'd match up. He was behind me at the light and stayed there until around 30-35 MPH. When he pulled along side I was already in 2nd and couldn't get back in 1st. I was in that 'dead' zone that exists at low RPM's in second. Another day - another stop light - maybe!

Am looking forward to picking up the latest and greatest from everyone. Thanks - Topcat

 

asdeman: I got so caught up in this site that I forgot to address the problem you described with your rims. My front right had damage on the very outer lip as I received it from the dealership. It looks like it occured during shipping. The problem is that I didn't notice it until 5 days later and they hedged, and are still hedging, on repairing or replacing. Other than that I've only one other minor defect with the rims and that's a small fisheye that's barely noticeable. I have a neighbor who is the service manager at another dealership here in the Detroit area who will address the problem. Thanks - Topcat

 

In response to Bomeyer's post concerning the SVT website update:

There are some beautiful pictures of the Lightning up there in the Gallery. I myself have only seen the red one in person. (Going the other way on the interstate so didn't get a real good look.)

Also rather distrubing is in the Cobra picture gallery there is one of a Cobra driving down the wrong side of the road! I got a kick out of that.


Frank

 

[img]//www2.ford.com/svt/showroom/images/lightningext/car.red.jpg[/img]

 

 

Although I am not currently a Lightning owner (til June, that is), the front end noise you're hearing is well documented on this site. And it IS called "The Clunk." I believe Ford has a TSB on it, but their fix is pretty half-assed.

The best fix seems to be "Herb's Washers," but I don't think he is making them any more.

Do a search on "clunk: and you'll have a couple hours reading.