Ford front end is junk
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Yardley, PA
Ford front end is junk
I have a 1997 F250 Light Duty 4X4 which I bought new in 1998. With only 57k miles on it the front end is beginning to self destruct. In the last 2 months both upper and lower ball joints were replaced, then a sway bar link broke, and now the wheel bearings are starting to make noise.
The pitman arm was screeching but I injected grease and sealed the boot. Just wondering who else suffers from these issues and what else I can expect.
The pitman arm was screeching but I injected grease and sealed the boot. Just wondering who else suffers from these issues and what else I can expect.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,209
Likes: 1
From: Louisville, Kentucky
This seems to be a common malady with these trucks. Of course there are a lot of things that can accelerate the problem. Some of these are a lot of off road use, cranked torsion bars, lots of towing, or bigger tires and wheels. In regular use they should last longer than what you have experienced. Good luck! 
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Yardley, PA
Thanks for the response, this truck has always been serviced by the book and I never abuse my vehicles. But I do use it as a truck for towing/hauling etc. It is totally stock as delivered when new.
Outside of the recent issues this truck is perfect. Only brakes and routine service until recent. I still love the truck and hope to keep it for many more years.
I am just annoyed with the crap materials Ford used on the front end.
Outside of the recent issues this truck is perfect. Only brakes and routine service until recent. I still love the truck and hope to keep it for many more years.
I am just annoyed with the crap materials Ford used on the front end.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 236
Likes: 1
From: Sparta NJ
the only problem is that they dont have grease fittings in the front end parts. if you think about it getting 130k out of the original lowers w/o grease aint that bad. i think my front end is holding up pretty good for the beating i put on it!
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 14,413
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From: Sarnia, Ontario, CANADA!
I hope this doesn't jinx me but....
I bought my truck almost 2 years ago with 180,000 KILOMETRES. It has 235,000 on it now. It is on it's second winter plowing snow with an 800 pound poly plow that is 8 feet wide. Yes, I plow commercially. The front end is all sealed parts. When they do go they will be replaced with greaseable parts.
That is all.
-Matt
I bought my truck almost 2 years ago with 180,000 KILOMETRES. It has 235,000 on it now. It is on it's second winter plowing snow with an 800 pound poly plow that is 8 feet wide. Yes, I plow commercially. The front end is all sealed parts. When they do go they will be replaced with greaseable parts.
That is all.
-Matt
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New User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20
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From: Rockaway
Did my front end about 4 months ago ..did eveything but the wheel bearings hahaha and now there Making noise hahaha I work Ford for so all parts are OEM .. not a cheap front end to rebuild ..funny thing is the truck drove great before i did anything ..so if you don't thing you need work up there you mite .. jack er up and check..
98 2wd LD
98 2wd LD
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I am an ex-owner of a 97 F150 which I just traded in a couple of weeks ago with 178,000 miles on it ( I bought her used at 1 year old with 40K miles).
I had to replace several front end parts over the years. Sway bar links were notorious as I broke 3 of them. Replaced the drivers side upper ball joint and control arm. Replaced all shocks and both tie rods.
I loved my truck but she was nickle and diming to death especially the last 2 years after I bought a Mustang and she sat during the summer. She didn't like to sit which this past summer caused me to have to replace almost the entire front braking system. The 4x4 system was broken and the a/c which I had just replaced 3 years before was also broken so I cut my losses and traded for an 04 Mounty.
I had to replace several front end parts over the years. Sway bar links were notorious as I broke 3 of them. Replaced the drivers side upper ball joint and control arm. Replaced all shocks and both tie rods.
I loved my truck but she was nickle and diming to death especially the last 2 years after I bought a Mustang and she sat during the summer. She didn't like to sit which this past summer caused me to have to replace almost the entire front braking system. The 4x4 system was broken and the a/c which I had just replaced 3 years before was also broken so I cut my losses and traded for an 04 Mounty.