1999 Ford F-250: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Jul 21, 2004 · Steering · 69,000 miles · MI

I turned right into a paint store parking lot after leaving a major highway (m-32) with my 1999 ford f250 (69000 miles) and noticed a slipping feeling in my steering. When I tried to back up to leave the paint store my right front wheel was pointed to the far right and my left wheel was straight. I looked under the right wheel area and saw the tie rod end was separated from the steering rod. I had the truck transported on a flat bed to a repair shop. I had all the tie rod ends replaced. The repair shop, bedford's muffler & brake (9893458732) has seen this same type of failure recently on a ford. I have the failed parts and have contacted ford over a week ago. They have not responded.

Filed Oct 30, 2003 · Steering · NY

While mechanic was installing new tires he noticed that the tie rod on the front right side was severely worn, destroyed.

Filed Sep 12, 2003 · Steering · 55,364 miles · MI

The front tire rod fell off the vehicle. The dealer was notified. *ak both front outer tie rod ends were replaced. *scc

Filed Jul 31, 2002 · Suspension · MN

The right and left ball joints began freezing last summer. The vehicle began to wander and it became increasingly difficult to keep it in my lane of traffic. The problem came on slowly but was first noted by me last summer. This summer it got to the point that it was unsafe to drive because attempting to get the wheels to move slightly resulted in too much movement leading to constant attempts to correct the over-correction. The dealer readily diagnosed the problem as frozen ball joints and required that I pay for the repairs despite the fact that the problem began well before the warranty expired. A dealership employee informed me that they were replacing many of these parts under warranty due to premature failure. The original part did not have any provision to lubricate the joint. The replacement part has a fitting to lubricate it. Obviously ford made a design change in this part and are not telling owners about the problem. At nearly $1000.00 to repair it, some owners may choose to delay or forgo replacement and continue to drive the truck when it is unsafe to do so. As a rule, ball joints should be expected to go double the mileage at which mine required replacement. My calls to ford resulted in no admission of fault on their part. The steering on the truck was so bad that neither my wife or I felt that it was safe to drive at highway speeds.

Filed Jun 24, 2002 · Brakes, Suspension · IL

Ball joint is worn out, and at 20mph front and rear brake pads fell onto the ground. Cause unknown. Dealer notified.

Filed Jun 19, 2002 · Steering · OH

While turning into driveway at 30 MPH the tie rod end fell off.*ak

Filed Feb 6, 2002 · Suspension · NJ

When making turns there was a loud squeaking in front of vehicle. After inspecting vehicle consumer noticed both front lower ball joints had to be replaced. Consumer replaced ball joints.

Filed Feb 6, 2002 · Brakes · NJ

While changing front lower ball joints, consumer noticed the front rotors were chipping on the inside. Consumer replaced rotors. *ak

Filed Feb 25, 2001 · Steering · PA

The consumer accelerated from a stop to make a left turn the vehicle suddenly turned right midway in the turn, the vehicle hit a guard damaging right control arm, axle mount, right headlight and fender, the consumer believes this accident occured due to faulty steering component. Nlm

Filed Jun 8, 1998 · Steering · TX

Recall # 98v116000 ford/lower control arm. Owner is still experiencing a prolbem with truck after having recall work performed. When hitting a bump, etc in the road, the truck violently vibrates. In some cases, jerking steering wheel from hand.