Hey, if you are having troubles putting miles on your rig, I'm pretty sure I could find the time to drive it for you!

 

You have a 02' crew, Why would you want to drive an old 00'?
Just kidding.
My Crew is in excellent shape of course. But I've been driving it more now because my wife made me sell my Crown Vic. As you can tell I wear the pants in my house, until she gets home..

 

Mainly because of the almost 100K miles that is on my rig!

I'm always willing to help someone drive their ford truck!

 

Hi all, I have a 97 lariat that I have owned since new. I'm an ASE master automotive and meduim/heavy truck technician (I know...big deal) but while performing a routine oil change at 78,000 miles my left outer tie rod end seperated when I was inspecting it for play. This came as quite a suprise because I drive well over 2000 miles per month and oil changes come about every 7 weeks. My truck didn''t exhibit any of the symptoms you would expect from a worn out tie rod end. Handling was good and no noticeable play in the wheel when driving. I recently replaced the right outer tie rod end at 183,000 miles and it was just starting to show a little movement so go figure. One tie rod end lasted 105,000 more miles than the other. It's been a good truck so far.

 

So... this thread is really making me paranoid. Do the replacement tie rod ends have grease zerks? I have never been a lover of these so-called sealed bearings that everyone seems to love to put on the newer, more expensive, refined and "better" vehicles.

The more I read, the more tempted I am to sell and get something older. Something I know how to repair from top to bottom. As much money as you pay for these things, you'd think you'd get some better quality. Naive critter ain't I?

 

just had my '01 f150xl in for 100,000km warranty service and they said the tie rod ends are fubar'd. drivers side inner and outer, pass side outer tie rod ends. this thread is making me wonder about this since this is my second set of tie rod ends on the drivers side. im getting the new ones installed on tuesday morning and im gonna be asking them at the dealership if they heard anything about this letter since i never recieved one yet.

 

Well, I never got my letter. I guess I got overlooked in the system somehow. Must be because I have an extended warranty

 

So Boys,

This thread is indeed geting a little hairy especially the thread form Chuck which broke in the driveway. Gregor says that his seperated while inspecting for play. I have a 02 FX4 with 26k and the drivers side has play in it. Jeepers what they making these out of silly putty?

Can we come up with any sort of common link here. Does it seem to be the drivers side mostly affaected. Is it in newer or all year dates as said in the letter. Funny only 97-02 huh. I sure hope Ford reads some of this stuff. Not that I think the shmucks would do anything about it anyway.

This just makes a guy wanna go down to the local Auto Store and buy a set of Moogs and F the warranty on the factory units. But of course thats what Big Brother Blue Oval would like saves them some loot.

John

 

Not to sound like an *** but there had to be some warning that your tie rod was going to fail. There had to be some loosness in your steering first, they just dont fail like that.

 

DMANBOSS73: well since we have power steering these days you can't feel a whole lot in the steering components. I do see what you are saying though, but I can tell you one thing, when they break you will know.

I checked my tie rods on my truck myself and they look fine and I did check them exactly how they said to in the notice from ford, but from all the stories on here I think I am going to take mine to the dealer and have them look at it. I am always on the highway going 70 mph and always pulling a trailer and I just can't have one break and endanger my family or myself.

 

I took my 1999 F150 to the dealer today to get the tranny flushed and asked them if they could inspect the tie rods. I was told that the letter I recieved was only to be regarded as a suppliment to the owner's manual and they only inspect the tie rods when paying for a full service (30,000, 50,000 miles etc.) In other words, Ford has had no problems with tie rods failing on F150's and they won't inspect them unless I pay them for a full servicing. Is this what others have been told?

 

i got mine replaced on tuesday at the dealership, all were covered under the extended warranty, only had to pay the $100 deductible.

 

That is basically what i was told by the dealer. They said it was sent out in order to ensure that the joint would be checked properly. They said there was not a problem with the tie-rods but there was a problem with how they were being inspected and this cause to many unneeded replacements.

 

This may be my first post here but getting a letter from ford like this makes me think. Think that i should inspect the no grease fitting joints. A fact... i know the lower ball joint on the drivers side is a bit loose. I jacked the 1998 expy (116,000) up and what do you think i found. A ya now i'm scared!! Lets just say i don't have the bucks to replace every tierod end and ball joint in the truck!! I'm not one to do a half-assed job. So they all get replaced.

What really bugs me is i have had cars/trucks with 200,000+ that have never had a problem. My 87 Ford F250 197,000 miles is tight as a drum. And it has had a hard life. It's been put out to Stud tho(Light Weekend duty) lol

Anyway i enjoy these forums and the people here have helped me a lot.

I think Ford needs a ear full on this, because this should not happen on such a new vehicle.

 

well I never got my letter. Myabe someone could post the 'how-to' on checking the tie-rods so we can all sleep better