Maybe check out the F250 next go around.Good Luck!

 

I just started the Dispute process yesterday(over the phone). I'll go down there today to see if the salesman and the service guy will actually be as helpful as they said they would. They both agreed that the truck has a problem. I asked for the service records in English instead of Ford code numbers. I hope they weren't telling me a story about helping. teecee3

 

Teecee good luck in getting the dealer to help you. not saying they wouldn't but when i went to get my truck fixed the 9 times it has been there the last time i was there the service manager threw his hand up in the air and said lets just let the lawyers deal with it. so i took his advice. Didn't really appreciate his attitude plus they never fixed the truck nor did they seem to really try and help me determine the problem. I mean i love all aspects of this truck, the way it looks, feels, and all the room it has, but i do want it to drive smooth as they "say" it is supposed to drive and ride. That is the one thing i cannot just " deal " with youknow? As for what i might get if i win my suit? Am not sure that i want anything else... i mean i doubt i could afford an F250 thats why i bought an F150 in the first place, plus i have looked at the F250 SuperCab and it doesn't have as much interior space as the F150. And on top of all that my wife would probably shoot me if i got anything different than a Ford. I just want MY F150 to be right and drive like Ford advertises that it will. Don't get me wrong i like Ford and have seen my dad own alot of them on the farm and have always had a lot of faith in their products, but i am not going to have ANY vehicle that doesn't live up to the standards that i expect it to.

TeeCee let us know how things go... i will also kep u guys posted.

 

to db3812 Thanks for the encouragement. The dealership gave me some goble-de-gook that's computer printed on a Ford invoice. Apparently they didn't keep a record of each separate time they had my truck. It looks like it's all run together (I don't even see the driveshaft replacement or the damper installation) and will end up only two separate invoices/or visits. I have given them my truck seven (7!) times. I have gotten a trashy(2 trashy-1 ok) rental car three times while they had the truck! I think I need to go get rental car invoices if they'll let me have them so I can prove at least three services. I've kept dates and odometer readings but it will probably end up my word against a giant. teecee3

 

hey teecee u should go to another dealer and ask for the service log on ur truck they should have it and be able to give it to you on the spot or at least fax it to you. they should also be legible to understand ie, you can read when and if they actually did the repairs they told u they were doing. i strongly suggest that you get an attorney to start helping u get some resolve. Please keep us posted....i haven;t heard anything about mine yet ,,, but when i do i will let you know....

 

Guys-

My dealer didn't log a visit when they didn't fix anything. Ford's way of limiting your proof of a problem. The useless Customer Service department told me today that their was a technical bulletin that the bed shake was within a "normal" range of operation. When I asked for a copy, they referred me to the dealer. He said that he has never had to supply a technical bulletin to a customer before.

It's scary how they can't fix this little problem. This is the first time my in my life that I have taken a vehicle to a dealer and not had a problem resolved in one visit. Going tomorrow for the last time....

 

geneam10-

my dealer couldn't find that TSB number.

 

Teecee3
I just went through the DSB deal.I lost truck there 7 times for vibration. You need to prove beyond a shadow of a dot that it was repaired that many times.They had my truck many times gave back told me operating as designed. I gess I bought a $38000 vibrator.

 

I've spoken to this subject many times. My 2005 F-150 has zero vibration. It also has the vibration damper. My garage door man was out recently and his 2004 does vibrate. Evidently this is unique to the 2004 models. I'd contact Ford or consider legal action. If they cannot fix the problem then they should be obligated to replace the vehicle.

 

My 2004 F150 FX4 has terrible bed shake. The truck has 24,000 miles on it and the bed shake is causing a rattle. The bed shake was first noticed going over bumpy roads. but after 24,000 miles it shakes on smooth roads too. Adding weight to the bed doesn't get rid of this. I had approx. 200lbs. in the bed every day and pull a 4,000lb. trailor 2-3 times a week.

When looking out of the driver side mirror it now seems as if the bed is not aligned with the side of the cab. It appears to be sitting a little to the passenger side.

The dealer I bought the truck from went out of business, and I am not sure which dealer to take it to since I need my truck for work (own my own business) and the dealers in my area all say they don't give loaner trucks to customers in for service.

 

I think they should do the right thing and take my vibrating, nibbling, shaking truck back. I would be willing to upgrade to a 2005(after a lengthy test drive!) and they could resell my good looking, low mileage truck to someone else. . . . They would come out ahead. Instead they have kept an invoice 'open' and added to it each time I come in. It looks like I've only been in two times- -I've been in ten times now. It looks to me that they just want to be mean about it. I can't do 'mean'- -when I get upset I tend to cry and its pretty embarassing. I guess I've been stalling to avoid all that.

 

You guys with the 04 shakes- dont get your hopes up on the magic dampner kit.
It was installed on my 04 and truthfully it only took away about 50 percent of the problem. As far as I am concerned, even if the kit worked, the problem is still in the truck. The kit is very laughable when you examine it.

I suspect Fords next tsb on this problem will be to fill the bed up with 1-2 cubic yards of sand.

I am currently making lemonaide!

 

I agree 100% with 200454FX4. i have about 21000 miles, early 04 truck, fx4 super crew ( seems to be the problem child with stiff shocks)

I thought it would be the bed itself. My theory was with rear shocks outboard. maybe the frame was narrower (althoug still stiffer) and the bed was cantilevered out farther, causing the problem. so i looked under it to do some investigating. it looks like a unitbody with multiple stamping and multiple small frame members makign up the integral hitch and box supports.

I bounced the tailgate and picked it up on first bounce to show a friend. I thought the bumper would stay stationary. BUT IT BOUNCED RIGHT WITH THE BOX. then I did it again and watched the class IV hitch. THE DANG THING BOUNCED TOO!!!!!...... unbelievable.

has anyone followed an old ford with no tailgate. the side rails cracked at the bottom and the sides flex out about a foot!!!. well, I wonder what this truck will do in 10 years if someone drives without the tailgate.

I need to look at the 05's and see if there is a different design... the truck's harsh ride is extremely annoying to me every day now......and i think the bed bounce and harshness vibration are tied together....

wish it didn't look so kick A$$ or I'd unload it

Ramb

 

rambunctious:

It seems the idea of the shocks on the truck have something to do with this. I took off both rear shocks and bounced the bed. The vibration/ossilation (sp) form just the springs shook the back of the truck about 10X times worse. (I put the shocks back on)

My thinking know is this is a shock issue. It may be the lack of valve dampening at full/extended ride height. Has anyone replaced the stock shocks from their FX4 with Rancho's or any other shock? Did this make any difference?

 

There is no 'magic dampner'. I want a non bumpy truck not lemonade. . . . . did you hear me Ford Dealer in SW GA ???.