I think toypuller has it right!
They do try to wear you down and based on his theory of 100 trucks, I think that is exactly what happens to each group if you break it down. Great post toypuller!

After a year of battling, I finally won with the DSB. I believe the process was painful, long, but in the end fair. I did have to pay 9000 miles of usage with came to about $2600, but I had 23,000 miles on my truck. They made me pay that in useage because I actually didn't complain or have any work done during last summer and put 9,000 miles without complaints. The reason?
I was on a summer long vacation and towed the trailer most of the time. Didn't want to deal with it till after vacation.

I was a little ticked about that, but since I did use the truck and it ran well, I accepted their ruling. Besides, the attorney I had for my Lemon Law case would have cost me more.

Since Ford did the right thing and I clearly jumped through their hoops as well, I decided to stay with Ford after all. Took the refund option instead of the replacement and put my refund down on an F250. Once again, I'm excited to own a new truck. I've owned dozens of trucks and the 04 F150 was my worst experience of my life. Hopefully my last.

Oh....and I have driven other 04 F150's with and without the problems. I'm sure there are those who love their F150 as I did, until the nightmare. Sure is a nice looking truck inside and out with lots of power, but it drove me crazy with the wobbling, vibration, rebounce, jiggly feeling.

I say stick with it. Make it your mission and be very patient. You must use this forum constructively and not bash Ford. Manufacturers all have issues. Learn...Knowledge is power. Use the forum as therapy to help you cope with the new chalange of achieving happiness again.

This site was so awesome for support. I've been on it for 3 years now and primarily used it for mods, fixes, tips, etc. Never imagined I'd have to use it the way I did, but it worked.

Good luck and keep smiling!

 

Jrfx4,

The dampner has nothing to do with the tow package. It is a steel and rubber weight that is mounted on the driver's side rear frame rail. I had an FX4 reg cab and I had the dampner kit mounted no problem. If your dealer told you that you may want to try a different dealer.

As far as the problem being intermitent-who cares. If it is a problem some times it is always present just not always constant.

Has your dealer inspected your steering components?


Netguy,

Glad you like the 250, I'm loving mine. Need to find some aftermarket shocks and I'm waiting for the backordered BFG All-Terrain K/Os to get it right. Those are some nice problems to have.

I have watched you, Geno87-69 (also got a 250) and a bunch of others work through the system and get the problem solved. I'm glad it has worked out in the end for you!

When my vibration problem was ongoing there were times where it seemed like I was the lone voice in the wilderness. I stumbled across this website and hit it every day long before I registered. It gave me the ability to talk intelligently to the dealer, service dept., FSE and DSB. I truly believe that if I had not had access to this information I would still be dealing with the vibrator.

It has almost become an obsession to let people know that there are options to this problem. I do think it is a very small # of trucks that have the problem, but if you have one than its 100%. If I can answer a question I try. Hope it doesn't go over the top.

I also try not to bash Ford or the dealer to much. That does not mean that I wasn't treated poorly from many different levels of Ford and the dealer. I just don't think it helps when someone is on full flamethrower mode. It is way more constructive to learn what your talking about and beat the hell out of them with calm logic.

Until the water warms up and the little back bass start to bite again I have way to much time on my hands!

 

Toypuller,

Thanks for the compliments.
If you have so much time, you should get your pics posted!
Would love to see them.

Take care,

TheNetGuy

 

Yea, been thinking that myself lately.

Its raining today. I may get the boat hooked up tommorow and go get some air under the hull! Nothing wakes you up like 70 mph on the water when the temps are in the 30s-bbbbbbbrrrrrrrrrrr.

If I get out I'll snap some pics on the digital camera of the twins (boat and truck) and consult the god of all things computer (my wife) and post them.

Just saw the pics of your 250. I have the Toreador Red with the Arizona Beige 2 tone. Mine is a regular cab XLT 4x4 (I have more use for bed than cab.)

Question: What range tires are those Nittos? I could not find them in an "E" range. Are yours or are you just running lighter?

Nice looking truck BTW

 

Toypuller,
Thanks again. I love my new addition to the family. My twins are the RV and Truck. Might need another addition like a boat as well.....
What the heck are we doing here in the F150 now anyhow?
Maybe we are trying to help those poor souls who need us, right?
I'm running a "D" rating. Tough to find an "E" but the new tires are rated for 3500 lbs. each so I think that will do! They are quiet, great traction, fit great, and ride awesome. They also inflate to 65 psi cold for heavy loads. Running 50 psi now for better ride.

 

thenetguy (or anyone who knows), I have been paranoid for months that I have the vibe I have a 05 FX4 reg. cab flareside that I bought in November (build date 10/21/2004). I think I have read every post here since then. This is my first. Anyway, my question is, does the steering wheel visibly move when the vibe is present? I cannot see my steering wheel actually move, but I feel lot of stuff in my hands. I’ve never had a vehicle that felt like this. Have you ever held a small dog that is wet and cold? It shivers intermittently. My truck seems to lightly feel like that in my hands and upper back. get worse with engine torque or road inputs. It’s got 7200 miles on it. Its been back once for "slight curb side vibration." got an index and balance, had to pay for the rotation.

 

1brannon1,


Cant Speak For Everyone But My Steering Wheel Will Visibly Shake Back And Forth.

 

Toypuller,

Just Go Off The Phone W/ A Shop Foreman From Another Dealer And He Said There Is No Problem Installing It On My Truck, Towing Package Or Not. He Also Seemed Much More Interested In The Problem And Willing To Try Some More Things To Fix It. He Asked If My Steering Rack Had Been Replaced, Which It Has Not, And Listed Some Other Things That My Current Dealer Did Not Even Attempt. I Think I'll Take It To This New Dealer And Let Them At It, Can't Hurt At This Point. They Seem More Willing To Help Me Than The Dealer I Bought The Truck From.

Thanks

 

Usually the steering will visibly shake. Either consistantly or intermitantly.

 

What the heck are we doing here in the F150 now anyhow?
Maybe we are trying to help those poor souls who need us, right?

That is it exactly!


Jrfx4,

You are now on the right track. Good luck.

 

To all,

I thought I would share with all that the Ford Rep drove my 04' 150 Newstyle Screw Lariat yesterday. I expected that he would say it was "in specs". However, I got the totally opposite response. He said the truck was "horrendous"!

I guess I am one more step closer to a new vehicle, hopefully without having to go through the DSB or Lemon Law process. If you recall, all the new TSB fixes have been done thus far on mine. I guess they are waiting call back from the corporate/factory level engineers for any further advice. I was told that if they can not figure it out, the regional rep will probably pave the way for me to get a new 05' truck without any hassles.

Anyone had or heard of problems with the new 05' versions 150 Lariat Screw with vibration?

Thanks,
Tony

 

Congratulations on all of you winning and good luck to those that are trying to win...I have a quick question about all of these repairs....what the heck do you drive when your truck is laid up so long? Do they give you a loaner truck or do you have to settle for a car and who pays?

 

Loaner car from dealer or rental paid by the dealer.

 

Ford finally paid off my old truck today.

Can you believe it? I turned it in to them on January 21st.

However I can say that I love my new F250.

 

Hi, am new here and link was sent to me cause I have an 04 FX4 with all the problems everyone is describing - had teflon grease, new drive shaft, complete new rear-truck was "gone over" by Ford Rep in November who said that within 6 weeks they would be sending a new tech bulletin with a fix - well almost 4 months later - still no tech bulletin. Now I am scheduled to drop the truck off to the service dept of local dealership on the 21st and that a Ford Engineer will be working with the service tech to try to fix the problem (but still no service bulletin released yet according to my dealership)- so those of you that have "played this game" please tell me what I am in for? I have had this problem since the truck was new. Also there was severe "cupping" on the front tires that they would not replace, but rotated them to the rear without any explination of why they cupped. Besides the vibration, there is a clunking in the rear from a dead stop when I take off. Sometimes it clunks once but lately it is two or three clunks. When I hit 35mph there is a whinning which stays as long as I am on the gas but stops when I let up and a vibration in the steering wheel when I brake. I have had several F150s but none with this problem. I tow a 21ft bass boat and at this point I am getting concerned about being left on the road - Ford will tow the truck but not the boat and I will be dag gone if I will leave my boat. Do you think Ford is trying to live up to it's "Fix Or Repair Daily" with these trucks? Someone had told me that these problems were only showing up in the F150 FX4's with the shifter on the floor (new interiors) but I find that hard to believe. Anyway, any and all help and advice anyone can offer would be appreciated. Love my Ford but am thinking of looking into a dodge, but there again the interiors of the dodges and chevys just don't match up to the Ford. Thanks