The local service manager told me that there was a recall fix for the control arms/A-pillar on the F150s and wasn't sure if it included the lightnings or not. I know a lot of us have had the popping noise coming from the front end and was wondering if the Quality Care Team could take care of this under warranty. I remember Sal and some others talking about a home fix for this a while back but couldn't find the posts on it...nevertheless, has anybody out there had this problem and have had it fixed at the shop.

 

Recall? I'd love to know more about this after a day in the Ford service dept with the 00. I work at this dealership and all they could tell me to do was put some grease in there every 400-500 miles. They told me it's a metal to metal condition at the steering stops or something and it will always be that way. The Service Manager also told me this problem is happening with ALL full size Ford trucks including the Super Duty.

Trace
suffering from the clunk

 

Trace, that is B.S. The part that needs the lube is the steering stops (that is a cop out repair if I ever heard one). But that won't fix the moving control arms. I need to get mine fixed also (I have 20,000 miles on mine) but I want a certified fix from Ford, and my dealer, (crappy) claims ignorance. How about the driver's seat problem... Has Ford come up with a fix besides just putting in a new one with the same problem.

Jerry

 

There have been lots of posts on this topic, but I did a search and couldn't pinpoint any threads. I do not know about the A pillar problem, but I know a lot about the front end noise. There are actually two noises- one is the steering stops, and the dealership is correct about that, but the other is the noise caused by the driver's side lower control arm bolt sliding in the eccentric bolt hole. Somebody posted some excellent pictures of this condition; I wish I could find the link. SVT is aware of the problem, but no TSB has been issued. If you ask SVT about it they will tell you to secure the bolt with a star washer. Some owners have put in a thick washer and had it tack welded. I could not get my dealer to take care of the problem, so I had my front end guy apply the star washer fix when he installed the cam bolts. It boggles the mind that Ford would sell a $30K truck that will not stay in alignment as delivered, and then will not correct it when asked. I like my truck a lot, but FoMoCo doesn't seem to be trying real hard to keep me a satisfied customer.

------------------
I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy.

'84 Alan Record Carbonio, Aerospoke wheels, Campy brakes.
'00 SVT Lightning, silver, G-tech Pro, JBA headers, cam bolts, 4.10 gears
(soon, Swanson's chip and MAF, Cal-tracs)

gmvye@pacbell.net




[This message has been edited by alphadoggy (edited 06-15-2000).]

 

FWIW the slot in the left A-arm is to allow up to 1/2 degree of caster stagger adjustment on behalf of situations where the truck doesn't track properly on crowned roads. Since it is an adjustment I'd be reluctant to tack weld the washer, but a star washer or some other means of removable positive retention definitely makes sense and should have been factory equipped.

-tvw

 

alphadoggy, Just repeating what they told me. "SVT knows of no problem with lower (driver side) control arm".........

 

I called SVT a couple days ago and they told me the following:

1) they were aware of the problem
2) a TSB is forthcoming
3) the TSB will contain the star washer fix
4) the control arm should be sanded clean
of undercoating and paint in that area.

He sounded annoyed when I mentioned welding the washer and he kind of scolded me for bringing it up!

 

POPs99L: You think 2 WEEKS is bad wait until you need the intercooler replaced and it takes 2 MONTHS and this is an EMERGENCY rush on a gasket!

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99.5 #2060 DOB 6-7-99
SuperChip
Downs Air Intake System
Bed Rug
Century hinged lid
6 disc changer
V 1
Ill tag # SVT 99

 

alphadoggy - are these the pics you wanted?

https://www.f150online.com/f150board...ML/002981.html



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brooks
'00 silver "L"

 

Jerry Jordan,
Two weeks ago Covert Ford replaced the seat cover & foam on my truck. They say SVT doesnt know of the problem with the aframe or poping or any problems. I am still wating on Instrument Panel. Its only been on backorder for TWO WEEKS. Do they know when it will arrive? NO.

 

Pops, either Covert Ford is bs'ing you, or they talked to the wrong person at SVT. I talked to someone at SVT a couple of months ago, and they were very aware of the issue with the sliding cam bolt, and recommended the star washer fix. Its true that the purpose of the eccentric is camber adjustment, but this is a clumsy way to do it, and my front end guy feels it is much more precise to do it at the upper control arms with the cam bolt kit.

 

Yes, those were the ones I was looking for. Great job, Clone!

 

Covert SUCKS!! take your prize to Leif and talk to Pam Ford and she will do whatever you want, She has always took care of me and my family.

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ALL BOTTLE No THROTTLE

 

Whatever you want? Hmmmmmmmmmmmm