I got my front end inspection letter yesterday from ford. The same letter people in canada got. it states to have front end inspected every 15,000 miles. it also states (which I believe to be the smarts thing i ever heard a car line state ) "it is important that you follow the vehicle maintenance schedule specifically as it pertains to tie-rod ends, because failure to replace worn tie-rod ends may eventually result in a tie-rod end separation that COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT STEERING CONTROL"
leave it to ford

 

You said "maintenance schedule" most people i know that bring there vehicle in can't pronounce that.... (and when they can, they ask why maint isnt covered under there warr)....

 

If you still have warranty left on your truck...when the ford guy does reg. service like a oil change...if the tie rods, etc are worn and have to be replaced, he will do it and warranty will pay...If no warranty left he will tell you and offer to do it if you pay...

 

I posted this in one of the other threads aout those tie rods, but I'm replacing mine soon with Moog's, I have them already just waiting to put them on when I install my suspension lift, too many horror stories of those thigns suddenly snapping!
The moogs have an awesome warranty and they are greasable and much higher quality.

 

SCrew these cheap Ford parts!! Just got a quote from my Goodyear dealer for Moog tie rods - $260 installed including the alignment. Don't think I will continue to risk my life with the factory parts. Guess it is going to take a few people dying and/ or filing lawsuits before Ford will do a recall.

 

What year trucks are covered and what is it saying about the tie rods? Does it include 4x4's?

 

It does include 4x4's I have letter at home I will check later and post my findings

 

Got my letter today and it reads,

This updated tie-rod inspection procedure applies to the following vehicles:

1997-2002 F-150
1997-1999 F-250 Light Duty
1997-2002 Expedition
1998-2002 Navigator
2002 Blackwood

Looks like were all hosed to me!!

Additionally it says if you need or require more info have your vin number handy and call

Ford Owners 1-866-436-7332 or www.ownerconnection.com

and as we all know tie rod failures only occur during regular business hours so make sure ya call then

Monday - Friday 8am-8pm Eastern Standard Time
Saturday 9am-5:30pm

"Built Ford Tough"

 

LOL

 

That customer service # is a joke!! I called them once before about an issue and they basically blew smoke up my butt telling me I had purchased a very nice vehicle and paid good money for it and understood why I was upset with them - then they told me to take it up with my dealer.

My truck is paid for, I like the way it looks, and I am going to drive it 'til it quits, but I guarantee you this will be the last Ford I ever own!!!

"Quality is Job 1" (that's "1" using the middle finger)

 

I guarantee you this will be the last Ford I ever own!!!
.............Ill second that!!!!! The TITAN is looking better every day.

 

I also got my letter and the thing that kind of rubbed me the wrong way was that Ford recognizes there is a problem, but they aren't fixing it.

I guess there hasn't been enough deaths yet to warrant a recall..

 

"I also got my letter and the thing that kind of rubbed me the wrong way was that Ford recognizes there is a problem, but they aren't fixing it"

Grasshopper, you too are confused I also thought it was a mechanical problem...Ford set me strait though it is merely a customer service issue...which does not warrant a recall...ur..until someone dies from receiving such poor customer service!

 

I'm tired of the Ford "Quality" also. I just ditched my Grand Marquis for a Honda Accord. What a difference.

We had engine knock in that Ford 4.6L engine so bad we couldn't hardly use the car. The dealership was no help after repeated attempts. An independent garage threw up their hands after a couple of hours on it. The message boards like this one had lots of helpful sugestions, none of which panned out. On the last visit, right before my warranty expired they got the car to run OK for a day or two with a bottle of octane booster (I found out after the fact when they 'fessed up). We tried high octane fuel for a while, but it just made things worse after a couple of tanks.

When my SuperCrew is done I'll definately be looking at the other options. I had to take it in numerous times, 3 times for seatbelts and now I have a belt going out again. Each time they kept overnight (no loaner car) and no rides back home (20 miles). And...the Supercrew is now out of warranty as well.

Ford may think they have found a way to cut costs during productuion and save money on warranty repairs, but thats a darn poor way to sell more vehicles in the future.

My front ball joints have started creaking too. I know what that means. Miles on truck: 36,700.

Boo-hiss.

 

I got the same letter and the thing that upset me the most is they are not making the repairs for free. Thay know they have a problem but do not want to make it right.