Rt torsion bar failed when setting in driveway. It seems as though this is safety concern that nhsta needs to reopen as there appear to be many other identical failures reported. I was suprised to learn that, when the dealer worked on the vehicle, there was no recall related to the torsion bar failure.
1997 Ford F-150 suspension complaints
Page 3 of 8: complaints 41 to 70 of 203, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Vehicle hit a bump.consumer felt a shake in front end. Upon inspection consumer noticed front outer ball joint had disconnected. Part was replaced. On 1 july 2001, right inner ball joint fell off. One day later , left ball joint fell off while backing up. Mileage was 67000 at the time.
The rear leaf springs have separated and the clips that hold them together are coming off and are loose on the springs.
Vehicle was serviced for safety recall 98s18, for rear leaf spring clips, however after the installation of the spring clips, the rear spring leaf assembly broke causing damage to consumers vehicle which resulted in having the tire replaced.
Leaf springs shifted when the truck was new. Ford replace them, but they didn't fix the cause of the shifting. There is nothing to hold the leaf springs together. When inspecting the truck several years later, noticed the same problem had happened again.
Front suspension is a "sealed ball/socket system" supposedly needing no grease. The tie rod driver's side/inner just popped off at low speed. It was determined that the socket was dry causing excessive wear/corrosion on the joint. Was also told that the pittman arm is also dry and in need of grease - actually, replacement, now. I am continually assured by ford service dept., that the truck does not need to have grease added as it has a "sealed ball and socket joint system" these parts should be mandated to have grease fittings for preventative maintenance capabilities. ****hubs**** design flaw with the diameter of the hubs in relation to the wheel/rotors, etc., on the 1997 trucks, the diameter of the hubs did not allow for even a minor amount of normal corrosion. This results in the mechanic's inability to remove the hub for service without damaging the hub assy. (there is no "lip" or difference of diameter to tap he edge of the hub assy to remove it from the wheel assy. This happened on the truck when it was less than 1 year old and had not been exposed to salt water/air.
Consumer was traveling 50mph, just came though a four way stop, entered intersection, and rear in came apart/ brakes went to the floor , and ABS braking system malfunctioned. Vehicle started sliding ,and brake pedal went all the way to the floor.
Stablizer bar broke , bolts fell to the ground. Contacted dealer, and dealer stated no recall on vehicle. Please add VIN.
Noticed broken springs 10/17/2001 right side spring was rubbing against tire very low speed 10 MPH or less.
Consumer 98v161000 repairs were done by dealer. After repairs were done dealer installed clip on forward end of rear springs. Consumer stated apparently dealer did not replace springs on vehicle because springs broke. Contacted dealer, and dealer stated he did what recall required.
Vehicle has a ticking sound coming from under floor of vehicle. Can't hear sound unless vehicle is moving. Had vechile in shop several times. Contacted dealer, and dealer put in new bushing and u-joint; but still has not remedied problem. *ak
While driving vehicle began to vibrate, consumer got out of the vehicle but could not see anything, consumer then proceeded to drive about 5mph when the vehicle began to vibrate again, plus there was a squeaking noise, vehicle was taken into a mechanic, and consumer was informed that the tie rod end on the drivers side had fallen out of position.
Left rear leaf spring, bottom leaf, is misaligned, I read that many people with 1997 f150 2 wheel drive pick ups are having the same problem.
Leaf spring assemblies middle left rear leaf spring separated after proceding past stop sign. Once separation occured, middle leaf spring rotated into left rear tire, causing damage down to metal belt of tire. Vehicle towed to dealership. Dealership would not cover damage of leaf spring or tire, repair cost: approx. $450.00. Recall 98v161 was performed on leaf spring assembly to prevent leaf striking gas tank, but did not prevent leaf from rotating out to tire. Middle leaf spring was rusted on broken end and had been broken for some time, maybe even when recall service was don on it.
This vehicle already had a recall #98s18. This obviously didn't fix the problem. The spring came out of the assembly and struck my fuel tank. In my opinion they should have replaced the leaf spring if it was not made correctly and not just put a bandaid on it. They broke even though this was supposed to fix the error..
Torsion bar twisted off on the drivers side causing front corner to drop 6" to 8" inches. And a loss of suspension on that side. Later the passenager side snapped.
Torsion bar broke without prior notice. When bar broke entire front end of vehicle fell in. Dealer made repairs at consumer's expense. *ak
Please note that I am from canada and your request for "zip code" will not accept my "postal code". Therefore, I typed in 90210 so I could by-pass this portion. My postal code is k1c 5s7. I was backing up on level pavement when I heard a "pop". Upon investigating, I found that the ball joint on the tie rod end had separated from the socket at the wheel. There does not appear to be any corrosion or other damage to the tie rod. Also the joint feels well greased and the tie rod moves freely. The truck has been towed to a dealer and will be looked at tomorrow (april 22, 01). If you are unable to help outside of the u.s can you please direct me to a canadian association. Again, my e-mail address is [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *js
Rear leaf springs had to be replaced in 1999. Currently, they need to be replaced again. There is recall 98v161000. But ford claimed this vehicle was not included due to VIN.
Pulled up in driveway and driveshaft went out. Also, driver's side wheel ball joints fell off.
Vehicle was parked inside of garage. Consumer noticed that vehicle was leaning on left side. Vehicle wasn't like that when she pulled inside of garage that evening. Vehicle had to be towed to the dealership. Mechanic told consumer that torsion bar had broken. There were no injuries.*ak the dealer says there was a high failure rates of 1997 and 1998 models.
Ball joints are out. Contacted dealer, and dealer said not worry about it.
Vehicle was parked for over an hour, and consumer heard a loud noise. Noted vehicle had dropped down due to torsion bar on passenger's side had snapped and broke, causing the problem. Consumer has contacted dealer, dealer has replaced both torsion bars. Please provide any further details.
Upper ball joint is about to break. Contacted dealer, and the dealer is not willing to do anything.*ak dealer stated that parts wear out even if it did happen with only 44000 miles on it, dealer replaced left upper ball joint and replaced control arm.
Torsion bar snapped in half while vehicle was running in park postion, dealer was aware of same defect but in ford expedition.
Torsion bar on left side broke while backing out of driveway. Dealer notified and informed that vehicle was not covered under a manufacturer's recall, and out of its warranty. Please feel free to provide any further details on this matter.
While parked and vehicle still running left front of vehicle just dropped. Consumer had no prior warnings of problem. Contacted dealer, and the dealer has not had a chance to look at vehicle. *ak the torsion bar snapped causing the front of the vehicle to drop. The consumer believed that the torsion bar had material defect.
While backing out of driveway front torison bar broke, causing front passenger side of the vehicle to drop off. Please give any further details.
While vehicle was parked torsion bar snapped ,and front end fell down. Contacted dealer, and dealer was not willing to fix problem at no cost. *ak
Manufacturer's recall 00522; after replacing front coil springs, consumer had problem stopping vehicle. Dealership replaced them with clips. He was driving vehicle, and coil springs came out and stuck into tires.
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