Tl* the contact owns a 1998 ford f150. While driving the contact heard a noise at the vehicle front end. When he examined the vehicle he noticed the front suspension sway bar was missing eight bushings. The contact repaired the vehicle. The failure and the current mileage were 42,000.
1998 Ford F-150 suspension complaints
Page 2 of 6: complaints 11 to 40 of 132, newest first, as owners wrote them.
1998 ford f-150 muffler bolts sheared off on both sides. Consumer states that the muffler bolts came off of the engine sides. *nj the consumer stated the transmission was replaced at 90,866 miles, and the rear wheel bearing was replaced.
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 ford f-150. The contact smelled burning rubber coming from his vehicle. The smell was then replaced by a rattling sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the rear leaf spring fractured on the passenger side. He jacked the vehicle up, repositioned the spring, tied it down with wire, and drove the vehicle home. He remembered a recall he had seen and called the manufacturer, who informed him that his VIN was not included in the recall. The recall number was unknown. The failure mileage was 145,000 and current mileage was 153,000.
1998 f-150 5.4l triton I've owned this truck for 2 yrs. And put 30,000 miles on it. Currently at 124,000. Other than maintenance (not including spark plugs) have changed both cv shafts and bearings in the front. Feb. 3, 08 without any warning or precursor it blew a spark plug from the head stripping the threads. It occurred very quickly while coasting down hill at 55 MPH. Not hardly working the engine. I knew what it was immediately, I had been with a friend when his 2000 f 150 4.6l blew a spark plug for the second time in 6 months. This action almost stalled my truck out being at low RPM to begin with it rattled violently. I was afraid my 10 yr old brother and I would have to walk for help. Not fun in ny in feb. A passerby came to our aid. I had the truck towed home by a friend. Still trying to find a suitable and affordable repair. Thousands of these incidents have been reported to various websites, dealers, and even to ford. Some instances have resulted in fires destroying the whole vehicle. Ignited by a stray spark plug and fuel mist from the cylinder. Something must be done by ford. Most repairs run $2,000 - $4,000 each time a plug a spit. Many vehicles have under 100,000 miles.
I stepped into my vehicle to go to work, and the torsion bar broke. Snapped into two pieces. Was thankful I was not driving. I have been told by the tow truck driver and the mechanics, that they have never seen this before, and that a piece of 1" round steel should not just snap.
Dt*: the contact stated the rear window leaked when it rained causing the rear seat to become wet. The interior lights and the brake lights failed to turn off when the ignition was turned off. Also, there was a humming noise coming from the rear end as the vehicle traveled 10 MPH. The rear end was replaced 1 years ago including the suspension, rear axle, chassis, rings, pins and rear differential. The service dealer and manufacturer were notified.
The r/h torsion bar broke at low speed turning into a parking lot. The bar is being replaced at the dealership. They say they have never seen this before. After seeing all the reports on line, I find this hard to believe.
Consumer replaced tires five times before it was discovered there were two pieces missing from the sway bar. Consumer stated that dealer for vehicle could not find the defects. However , the dodge dealer found the defect.*ak
While changing the shocks on the vehicle consumer noticed the rear frame broke. No explanation as to how or why.
While driving vehicle jerked and vibrated uncontrollably. Consumer was able to maintain control of vehicle and drove it to the dealer for inspection. Mechanic informed consumer that upper and lower ball joints were corroded and needed to be replaced.
When driving at an undetermined speed steering wheel locked up. Consumer was able to stop the vehicle ,and had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection. Mechanic determined that both upper ball joints failed.
Front right torsion bar snapped while vehicle was parked in my driveway.
While driving at 25 MPH and when making a left turn consumer heard a loud popping sound. Then, left side of the vehicle dropped down. Vehicle was towed to consumer's home. The tow truck driver explained that the upper ball joints were worn out, and the axle broke.
On december 30, 2003, I sent the following letter to ford motor company and as of yet have not received a reply. Hopefully you can give me some pointers on how I should proceed. Thank you, [xxx]. [xxx] [xxx] [xxx] [xxx] enclosed are pictures of the torsion bar from my 1998 ford f-150 pickup. Vin# [xxx]. It has 56,000 miles. The portion that is pictured is the front. The bar broke while sitting idle in my garage. I had been out of town for the weekend so the pickup had not been driven for two days. I found the center piece on the garage floor. From rust spots in the broken area, it appears that it had been cracked for some time. I have owned the pickup for about three years. Almost all of my driving has been highway driving. During that time it has very little off road driving. I am not a hunter or land owner. It has been used for hauling cargo, but not extended use. It was involved in an accident and I have also enclosed the repair records from that. The damage was to the right side. There was no suspension damaged noted. I have looked to see if there were any recalls on it, and have found none. The mechanic who replaced it for me said he had never seen a torsion bar break like this. This is a repair that I dont think I should have to pay for. I have enclosed my statement. I am just thankful that I was not driving the vehicle when it broke. It concerns me that there may be other suspension problems. What I would like to know is what can be done? Is this a flaw in the pickup that needs to be addressed? I am also writing to the federal safety agency to ask for their help in what process I should follow. I can be reached during working hours at[xxx], at my address at [xxx] or by e-mail at [xxx]. I will be waiting your reply. [xxx] *cb *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)
The consumer stated that while she was driving the rear end of the vehicle burst into flames. There was no prior warning that something was wrong. A gentleman followed her and told her that there were flames shooting out of the back of her vehicle. The consumer indicated that the vehicle drove perfectly, with no sign of trouble. The fire dept was called and the fire was put out. The consumer was taking her husband, who is confined to a wheelchair, on an errand. She believes if it were not for the kind gentleman who helped her, that her husband could have burned to death.
1st complaint - a leaf spring in the leaf spring assembly was found to be broken by my mechanic during routine maintenance, no further damage found; leaf spring was replaced w/ factory replacement 2nd complaint - lugs/nuts/bolts loosened up while driving, wheel came off, rotor landed on inside of wheel rim, ruined wheel and rotor, both replaced along w/ lugs/nuts/bolts w/ factory replacement.
Consumer heard a banging noise coming from the rear of the vehicle consumer stopped the vehicle and a piece of metal fell off onto the ground. Consumer picked it up, took the vehicle to mechanic who stated the leaf spring failed. *ak *ts
While driving 30 MPH front driver's side upper ball joint broke, causing the tie rods to shoot through the rim. Immediately the vehicle lost control.
While driving at normal speed lower ball joint on driver's side fell off. Dealer stated no recall, and called the federal safety agency.
Vehicle description: light duty 4-wheel drive pickup trucks. If the vehicle is overloaded, the rear leaf springs can be overstressed. A fatigue fracture of the spring can occur. The center leaf of the spring can fracture at the forward edge of the spring seat and, in some cases, contact the fuel tank. Consumer has the same problem.
Driver side torsion bar snapped ,causing front left corner of vehicle to drop unexpectedly possibly damaging sway bar, shock absorber and related bushings. Ford customer service stated there is no coverage, recalls or service bulletins that cover damage/defect. There have been reports of similar issues with expedition and ford models.
The vehicle was parked, when the left torsion bar failed.
Right side torsion bar snapped in two going across parking lot.
While pulling out of parking lot the consumer noticed that the vehicle would not move. It was determined that the control arm fell off. The dealer has been notified.
Driver side torsion bar broke driving 60 on freeway. Made truck veer hard to left almost hitting guard rail. Thank god my son didn't hit it. Brought the truck used and of course dealer said it wasn't under warranty that we had. Only the 60 days or 2500 miles from time of purchased. Only had in 25 days.
Left tie rod on my 1998 ford f150 broke while driving. I bought truck new in 1999. Mileage on truck was 29900. Had truck towed to dealer, they informed me that right tie rod needed to be replaced too along with the lower ball joints and idler arm. I was on the highway just 20 minutes before. I was lucky. Service manager told me he has needed to replace them after 15000. From the factory there are no grease fitting for lubrication. Also none on replacements. Please call or e-mail with any questions, thank you.
The tie rod assembly failed. *jb. Also, vehicle needs an alignment.
The front torsion bar broke. *jb the torsion bar had experienced a brittle fracture at the hexagon to cylinder interface.
Passenger side torsion bar broke while parked in parking garage. Don't know what would happen if occured at normal driving speeds. Scary drive home as truck was laying down on right front severly. Took to garage this morning. Five minutes later, woman comes in and says she has a broken torsion bar. You guessed it, another 1998 ford f150 4x4. Looked at hers, was on drivers side, similar shaped failure as mine, said hers was just parked in driveway when failed. I am afraid to let wife drive my truck now.
Torsion bar snapped causing truck to lean to one side. I was told I was fortunate I wasnt driving it at the time they had many ( over 50) break some while driving. Dealer should replace at no cost to owner only had 21,552 , 1998 f-150 dealer wanted 500.00 at first then claimed part was defective and I would have to pay labor( jack demmers in wayne,mi.48185) please help this isnt fair.
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