My warranty will be out by the end of next week. What key things should I look out for this weekend when I give it a final once over so I can get anything in under warranty?

Thanks,


------------------
Barrett Hall

'99 Flareside 4x4 ORP
Oxford white
4.6L Automatic, 3.53 LS
Bone stock for now, haven't seen the need for any mods.

 

Besides the obvious, you should look over the interior of your truck with a fine toothed comb. Look for worn out or damaged upholstery. Sometimes, it's caused by poor materials. Are the cushions sagging or squeaking? That should be a warranty item. Is the carpet coming loose anywhere? Are any ***** askew or loose? Any speakers not sounding up to par (vibration, etc. with volume turned up)?

Look for leaks around the windows, especially if you have a rear slider. Get your hose out and spray the heck out of it, especially around the top edges between the roof and the glass.

Does your brake pedal vibrate when you slow down? Could mean a warped rotor. If your alignment is good and your tires inflated properly, does your truck pull on level ground when you brake? Could be problems with one or more calipers, etc.

Any rattles? Drive next to a solid concrete wall with the window down on the side of the wall and listen for unusual noises when you drive by. Listen for squeaks. A rhythmic squeak could be a worn out U-joint. Do it forward and reverse.

Check the function of your 4 wheel drive. There should not be any clunking when you engage either High or Low Ranges and it should do it without you having to move the truck forward or backward. It should disengage as soon as the indicator light goes out too. It's easiest to check this while in soft sand or in snow.

I'm sure others have more suggestions.

 

Check the dreaded 4.6L passenger side oil leak. Also look at the transmission for fluid leaks. Check the air too....now that its getting warmer.

 

At 30,000 miles I had my drivers side seat belt replaced because it wouldn't retract all of the way. I had the horn replaced because it wasn't working (I don't think it ever worked, I never use it). I noticed a buzz in the steering wheel when I turned, and found a leak on the power steering pump, parts are ordered.

------------------
2000 F-150 XLT Supercab 4X4,5.4,Off Road,Tow Pkg

 

Update- found an oil leak on the passenger side of the motor that wasn't there last time I changed the oil, about 2K miles ago. 4WD clunks loudly in and out of low range. Roof cracks. Power steering whine. Rough idle on initial cold startup.

Dealer response- oil leak was a blown head gasket, involving a TSB which requires a replacement of the head. Rough idle most likely due to this, so no action taken until after the head is installed. Other driveability concerns also to be addressed after head replacement. PS pump will most likely be replaced. Roof cracks- the dealer I took it to doesn't have a body shop, so they can't do anything about it. They did log it as being brought in under warranty, so I can take it to another dealer when I get a chance.

You can bet I'll be going through it again after I get it back, within the 40 miles left on the warranty.

------------------
Barrett Hall

'99 Flareside 4x4 ORP
Oxford white
4.6L Automatic, 3.53 LS
Bone stock for now, haven't seen the need for any mods.

 

If you are going to keep this truck I recommed that you extend the warranty.

I got mine from warrantybynet.com, 45 days into the warranty my rear end went out. $1400 to fix at the dealer, the extended warranty was $1100.00. Very happy I did that.


------------------
Don W
97 F150 4X4 XLT, ORP, Tow Package,
CD-Changer, K&N, B&M shift improver,
PIAA fog lights, Weld Rims 17", 265 70LT AT/S, Flowmaster 40 series 3" cat back.
01 Expedition XLT, Generic.

http://home.pacbell.net/donw35/f150

 

Already looking into it. Happen to know two salesmen at separate dealers, each one is looking into the Ford ESP's. If I can't refinance my truck and roll the ESP into that, then I'll be doing everything I can to get into a Screw or a Powerstroke.