I have a 1997 Ford F-150 Lariat with most options and it is very well taken care of. Last week the torsion bar broke while it was sitting in the driveway. Ford will not help with the cost of the part or the labor. This is obviously a defective part. I am not the only one who has had this happen. According to my research it has happened to thousands of F-150s and F-250s. I think I shall buy a Dodge the next time around. I have been a Ford fan for as long as I can remember and own three ford trucks at this time. I hope Ford is eventually sued over this and there is a recall in the future. How does dangerous at any speed sound, or fix or repair daily, etc.......

 

Sorry to hear of your problem. I must admit that I have never heard of this happening to anyone before now. If this has happened to "thousands of F150's and F250's" would you be so kind as to give specific sources of this information?

 

I know someone had a post just a few days ago about this...his was a 250LD...

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MY TRUCK:

99 F-150 4x4, 5.4 Triton, 3.55 gears, Amazon Green-Harvest Gold two-tone.

MY MODIFICATIONS:

Lund bug shield

Window vent visors

17" Chrome ORP wheels

Clarion in-dash CD

Husky floor liners

Custom dual exhaust w/Flowmster muffler and dual 3" chrome tips

Hidden hitch

K&N Filter

SUPERCHIP FLIP CHIP....ordered

Extang tonneu cover

Rancho RSX Shocks

 

I thought ford had a TSB for torsion bars that broke, could check on my ford service disk later.

 

I am sorry for that and it seems to be a very negative experience specially if you feel they are not supporting you in this.

However it's still the truck of preference.

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My Ride: 1998 F150 4x4 Lariat Supercab Flareside 5.4L in Oxford White/gold, ORP, Tow Package, 3.55 Gears.

Modifications:
Optima Red Top Battery
Split Fire Spark Plugs
K&N FIPK
Gibson Supertruck Exhaust System
Stepshield door sill protectors
Performance Accesories 3" Body Lift
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Daystar Front Anti-sway Bar Polyurethane Bushings
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35x12.5R16.5LT BFG All Terrain KO's
16.5x9.75 American Eagle 589's.
McGard Premium Wheel Locks

Photos at: http://www.communicomgroup.com/jmtruck

 

Have you tried talking to the owner of the dealership, or even try another completely different dealership. Maybe they would meet you half way or even three quarters of the way for the cost of repairing it. I assume it's out of warranty by one year?

 

I almost hate to say this (and some may hate me for saying it!) but that's why they put a time limit on warrantees. We can't really expect Ford to to fix things for free forever, can we? I wish we could, but...

I feel bad for you, but sometimes thats just life... I wish I knew how these parts knew when out warrantees expire like that! Seems they break right after coverage is up, doesn't it?

The advice you got about trying another dealership may help... sometimes dealer shopping pays off and you find one sympathetic to your problem who might at least share the cost or something. Good luck in your quest!

-JonC-

 

With your thinking I guess that Firestone should not have to replace any of their tires. When a part is defective and could pose a danger it should be replaced FREE. I called the NHTSA and reported this problem and I hope others also report it. The number is 1 (888) 327-4236. I also would like to mention that I may be waiting a while for the part which is an indication of the demand for the bars! If anyone wants proof of the amount of these breaking just check all the posts on this website!

 

To be somewhat specific about the numbers it is a simple math problem. Every Ford dealer that I or anyone on this board has talked to about this problem has said they have had two or three of these torsion bars to replace. Multiply 2 or 3 by the number of Ford dealers there are and you have the answer!

 

Pretty small number! compared to how many are on the road without any torsion bar related issues. I've spoken to two of the local dealers around my area, and they have had no reports of torsion bars breaking. If it happens; it happens; get it fixed ... Try your luck with Dodge and see how that goes, you'll more than likely respond the same way when something breaks on one of their trucks; hey!, then you can go find a Dodge message board and post there too ...

[This message has been edited by Nitrox (edited 02-24-2001).]

 

My concern is strictly safety. You act like the door handle broke or there was some rust on the body. Ford should acknowledge the problem and recall all suspected vehicles. This smells of another Firestone tire coverup. I have owned many fords and driven many miles in them. My first was a 1964 1/2 Mustang 6 cylinder 4 speed that I got in 11th grade in 1968.

 

So Ford should provide an unlimited lifetime warranty on all components that could result in injury during a failure? Get real. No manufacturer does that, and none ever will.

What do you want us to do for you? Should we rally to your defense, when we have no idea why a bar would break as the truck sits in a driveway? The fact is the vehicle has been in YOUR care for 4 years. How can we tell it isn't something YOU did that caused the bar to break?

As far as the Firestone tires, overloaded vehicles with underinflated tires are a bad combination. People died. I see no connection whatsoever with your situation. IMO the driver is responsible for the tire pressure and safety of his vehicle, but I guess I'm out of step with the 'help me, I'm a victim' mentality that plauges our country today.

Sorry to sound so harsh, but you've got two options: 1) Sue Ford or 2)Get over it. Seeing as you have no damages or case, I recommend option 2.

 

Lisicag,
Yes it is a shame that your bar broke but, I dont think the problem is that Ford wont warranty the part, its that the dealer wont. Ford has a after warranty adjustment that is called PO5. This intails a parshall pay (10% customer, 10% dealer, 80% ford). If you are the first owner of the truck and a good customer of the dealer I dont know y he wont do this for you. It just depends on the dealer.
Good Luck

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98 f150 4.6 auto 4x4 supercab-short box/bright red & black/6 disk cd changer/ dynomax cat back/k&n fipk/super chip/lund taillight covers/clear corner lens/factory fog lamps/pace edwards box cover/ultra wheels/LT265-75-16 BFG/ westin nerf bars/steel horse billit grill & bumper insert/reflex shocks/bosch plat. plus 4/accel wires/auto start/left hand grab handle/skidoo summit 700 high mark/FORD DEALERSHIP



[This message has been edited by summitman (edited 02-24-2001).]

 

Sorry to hear about the torsion bars. I know how you feel, too. But look, Ford is a company. A big company. They have millions of vehicles on the road. They thoroughly test each vehicle before it is put on the assembly line. You know that! You have even told us that you have owned a considerable amount of Fords before. So because the warranty is out and they wont fix it you jump up and go nuts? Im sorry it happened, and I can defintley see the dangers of your problem. But what can anyone do? Warranties are set for a certain time period. No more, no less. Ford has to draw the line somewhere. No exceptions. So get up, wipe the tears off your face, and fix the dang truck, and get on with life.

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2000 F-150 XLT Sport 4x4
SuperCab Shortbed 5.4l--
SuperChip, Throttle body spacers, flowmaster exhaust, 5" suspension & 3" body w/ 36" SuperSwampers, K&N FIPK, Custom Tint Windows, Custom Racing Seats, Rhino Spray-on Bedliner
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I've got to agree with DirtBikeDave. I work nextdoor to a LARGE Ford dealership and know the Service Manager well. He has never had to replace a bar under warranty that was NOT misuse/abuse and has not heard of "thousands" breaking across the country. Certainly there must be breakages with millions of 150's on the road. Statistically you just got a bad break (no pun intended) and that's just too bad. If, as you say, your research has turned up "thousands" of other cases like yours, then you SHOULD sue. That would be a slam-dunk for a lawyer if it was true. I suspect, however, that is not reality. Move on. Get over it.