relswick, you failed to mention whether or not you were driving at the time. Luckily, when mine broke, I had just started it up 30 seconds earlier and was still in park. Just curious

 

Lets get some people with over 10 posts to comment on this torsion bar fiasco!

 

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There, I must qualify to post now I want to know why the number of posts one has, makes a difference on what they can comment on in this forum?

 

I remember when these trucks came out with torsion bars in 1997. At the dealer where I was working, We seen maybe 3 torsion bars break. All while they were parked. I don't know why it happened when it was parked but that's when it happened. After 1997, I haven't seen one since. Just some information for you. Your 1997 truck is 6 years old now, so I doubt you will get warranty, but if you talk to someone high enough in the food chain at Ford, I'm sure he could help you out.

 

I just find it VERY weird how 99.9% of the people on this particular thread who have commented on the torsion bars breaking are either new or have very few posts... (Is someone stealing old, idle names?)

 

I just don't get it...not every F-150 owner knows about this site. When I bought my truck in 1997, this site didn't even exist. When you buy a new truck at the dealer today, do they tell you about this site? I'm just curious because, the impression I get, is that some people that post here think every F-150 owner should be registered on this message board and check it daily. If I don't have more that ten posts, my comments lack validity. If my first post has to do with a broken torsion bar, I'm a flamer. As I said in my 2nd or 3rd post, I just found this website a week or so prior to posting. I was curious if anyone else had seen problems like my truck did. Now because I don't have 300-800 posts, I'm not one of the good ol' boys and not qualified to post here...I don't remember seeing the on the home page.

 

Torsion bars should not break prematurely,(did you say how many miles on your vehicle?) but every thing eventually will break.
Ford should be concerned from a safety standpoint and meet you half way. That way they could avoid the issue getting on message boards like this. Torsion bars on Large trucks are probably not a good idea , however.
Thinking about buying a Dodge, Think again! I'm currently suing Daimler-Chrysler for repeated Transmission failures on my 98 Ram 4x4. The first time was under warranty, then I ate the $3200 bill for a remanufactured Mopar unit. I spent the extra bucks for the reman so when It fails they can't blame the shop that rebuilt it. Plus I got it back a lot quicker.( I need it for work). Oh yes, I almost forgot the $1600 bill the same week for a rebuild on my rear end. Thats a total of $4800 in one week on a Dodge with only 70,000 miles on it. NO OFFROAD either. Consider yourself lucky with just a torsion bar, although I'd kill someone at Ford if their mistake hurt my family, so I can't blame you for being pissed.

 

coleman, I agree with you totally but, fighting a system like Ford is tougher than you can imagine. I gave up on my fight cause I got tired of meeting dead ends. My truck had 55K on it when it happened to me. Also, be careful what you post here. Seems there is a crowd here that is critical of all who post with less than 10 total posts. Here, 10 posts is the magic number to knowing what you're talking about...why? I have no idea.

 

Well, I've got a little over 16 posts, and I will say this, "what's up with Joe Millioniare dude? Before the last show even aired, he's spotted at a Tommy Hilfiger show hitting on one of the Bush girls (no not one of the girls bu......well you know). Now come on, doesn't that tell......" Oh wait, wrong thread!!!

So, torsion bars eh? Yep, I've read about torsion bars breaking while pulling into or out of driveways and even sitting still! I've seen these posts since I started hanging around. Not just 1 or 2, but several. Sorry I can't remember if anyone ever got to the bottom of what was going on, but there are posts out there in archive land!