my truck sat for 1 month while i was using my other (better gas milage) vehicle. i pulled out of my driveway (very smooth ride) and i felt a bang. the truck leaned to one side and when i checked, the torsion bar snapped (twisted) in two pieces right at the front mount. I have about 40,000 miles with an extended warranty (hope it's covered)

 

i don't know what happened but the program didn't let me finish and posted part one. anyhow i was wondering if this has happened to anybody else and if it's some sort of defect. i don't abuse the truck and it's usally on smooth road. the break is very clean so i think it just happened not something that was cracked and waiting to happen. i did have the bars brought up on the last alignment for fender height but it's been fine for at least six months. i did put a taller tire on but i don't think that had anything to do with it. the truck (described below) is factory stock. any input would be appreciated. thanks.

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1998 150 s/c,s/b,4.6,xlt,lariet,4x4,3.55 limited slip,6000# gvwr,trailer tow pkg.,255/70r 16 tires, 4 wheel anti-locks

 

Most likely it was a manufacturing defect. However if you cranked the bar up i don't think Ford will cover it. It doesn't matter if that had nothing to do with the break. If you modified it your responsible for it.

-Jon

 

Ford should cover it with the extended warranty. It does not matter if it was cranked because they are advertised as adjustable.

I have heard of more 98s doing this than any other year. Most likely a bad batch. But this make 11 that I have heard of in 3 years total though.

 

Sorry to hear about your misfortune, tele... This is not the first time we've heard of this happening. I'm just wondering out loud now, though... does ANYBODY ever have one of these things break when they're out thrashing their truck around off-road?! Every incident I've read about here happened in the darned driveway! Seems the solution would be to avoid driveways!!!



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-JonC-
*Silver 2000 4x2 F150 Supercab
*4.6L Triton V8
*315/75/16 Pathfinder ATR's
*16 x 8 Panther Custom 108's
*K&N GenII FIPK
*Custom Cat-back w/ Flowmaster 50 Series
*Fabtech 6.5" "Ultimate" suspension lift
*Smittybilt nerf bars
*Extang Black Max soft tonneau
*Stull billet grille
*Clear corners
*Heckethorn steering stabilizer

 

All the dealership mechanics I've spoke to have all mentioned torsion bars snapping without me soliciting the info, so it's obviously a large problem. Now for my disclaimer as this seems to be a sore subject for some reason here. Just because we've only heard of a few people here mention it, doesn't mean it's not a large problem. This site represents a VERY small percentage of actual F150 owners. Now, stepping of my crate. To answer you question Jon, nope never heard of anyone. And I ride my truck very hard. It's caught air almost as much as Michael Jordan. Everyone I've heard about have been parking lot/driveways and have been 98's and newer. I've never cranked mine either as I've heard enough caveats to resist the urge to crank.

S.

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97 F150 ORP
Towing/trailer package, 3.55LS
34" Mickey Thompson Baja Belteds, Requisite K&N Airfilter
JVC Kamelon CD Player,
Westin Nerf Bars

 

thanks for the input guys. ford covered it completly. said it's very common. newer than 1998 and usally within 6 months, on the passenger side. said it's some sort of defect but easier to have them come in when they break rather than a recall. thank god i wasn't doing 65mph on the thurway when it decided to go. and by the way, honestly i was pulling out of the driveway and i don't beat my baby.

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1998 150 s/c,s/b,4.6,xlt,lariet,4x4,3.55 limited slip,6000# gvwr,trailer tow pkg.,255/70r 16 tires, 4 wheel anti-locks

 

I wasn't insinuating you beat your truck and that's why the thing broke. These things should be sturdy enough to take a little beating without breaking, right? I just think it's funny (and no, not laughing funny!) that they all break either while parked in or pulling out of the driveway! Sort of like that Steve Martin movie "The Jerk" and the oil cans? "He hates these cans... stay away from the cans!!" Maybe Ford should put out a warning not to park these things in driveways! Seems to be hard on 'em...

-JonC-

[This message has been edited by JonC (edited 04-30-2001).]

 

The previous owner of my truck had it snap on him when the truck was 6 months old. Parked it the evening before on the driveway, came out in the morning and the truck was leaning way over to one side. Drivers side torsion bar had kicked the bucket! Very odd......Probably should've been a recall if it has happened that often.

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1998 Black F-150 XLT Ext. 4x4 Off-Road Package
Current Mods:
-Pace Edwards Roll Top
-Box Liner
-Tinted all around
-Pioneer 4100 CD Deck w/remote
-Kenwood 400W Amp
-Phoenix Gold 5x7's
-JL Audio Stealth Box
-2 Phoenix Gold 8" Subs
-K&N Filter
-DeeZee Stainless Steel Brush Guard
Check it out: http://www.f150world.com/jeffstruck
1998 Silver Frost Contour LX V6 "Full Load"
1985 Mustang GT w/T-Tops "The Fun Machine"

 

We replace dozens of those torsion bars every year up here in Alaska. I think it is related to cold weather somehow.


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99 F250 LD 4x4 S/C 5.4 3.73LS
K&N, Custom 2.75" dual exhuast.