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Ford F-Series: Problems & Solutions - READ ONLY

2180 messages,  Last post on Nov 26, 2006 at 10:18 PM

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What is this discussion about? Ford F-150, Ford F-250, Ford F-350, Ford F-100, Truck

Messages Page 53 of 219

#519 of 2180 2004 F150 Vibration by rossn2

Dec 05, 2003 (7:57 am)

I owned a 2001 2wd XLT Supercrew, 2001 4wd XLT Supercrew, and a 2003 FX4 XLT Supercrew (5.4 V8, 3.73 posi-rearend, tow pkg) and experienced the vibration problem you described on the 03 model. It happened at certain highway speeds. I never took the truck back or complained, just a slight inconvienance. I don't have a heavy foot and Gas mileage was 16-18 hwy and around 15-16 city.
 
I really enjoyed my SuperCrews, never had any major problems or complaints and agree the 6-cd changer in console is a pain in the butt to access when driving the vehicle. Alas, I wanted a diesel and recently sold the 03 and moved up to an 04 2500 Dodge Quad Cab 4x4 with HO Cummins and 4.10 rear end. Looked at F250, but just too darn expensive and couldn't get it in a stick. And the Dodge dealer offered me $1500 more than the Ford Dealer for trade-in. At 3,000 miles, Dodge Fuel mileage 18-22 city!

#520 of 2180 rossn2 by mullins87

Dec 05, 2003 (8:30 pm)

You couldn't get the F-250 with a stick?!?!?!? I hope by that you mean you couldn't find one on the lot. Believe me, you can get one with a stick. I know, I have one.
 
Eventhough I'm a Ford fan, I think you'll really enjoy that new Cummins engine. I haven't had the opportunity to drive the new Dodge, but I have heard the engine run. I am amazed at how quiet and smooth it is, especially considering how loud the old version is.

#521 of 2180 Rear leaf spring sagging by campout

Dec 06, 2003 (7:16 pm)

Hello to everyone on the list and Happy Holidays! I own a '97 F-150 RC/LB XLT 4X4 and noticed the other day that the rear leaf spring on the driver's side is starting to sag, not too bad yet, but is is noticeable. The truck has never been overloaded and it hasn't towed anything in about a year. I've had pickups since '79 and this is the first one that has ever done that. Is the leaf going bad, or could it be the mounts? Can't do much work on truck myself do to surgery, just wondering if anyone else out their has had this happen. Truck only has 53k as of this post, mostly highway and all maintenance is current. Any suggestions welcome, thanking in advance.
 
Sincerely,
Paul

#522 of 2180 campout by mullins87

Dec 06, 2003 (9:25 pm)

No firsthand experience here, sorry. However, I don't think you're alone. An associate of mine has a '96 Bronco. I know, different bodystyle and everything. But, his rear springs are sagging too. It looks as if he is hauling a heavy load all the time.
 
My suggestions to him have included the cheaper route; install some aftermarket overload springs. That will restore the ride height, but probably make it ride rough. The slightly more expensive route of having the springs re-arched. I don't know of anyone around here that does that sort of thing. And the expensive routes of either buying an airbag setup for the rearend or purchasing new factory springs.
 
Unless you can find some evidence that the leaf spring hangers or shackles are the cause, I'd bet it's just the springs loosing their arch.
 
Something else you should look for. You could have a broken leaf. A broken leaf in the middle of the stack can be hard to spot sometimes. Check those as well.

#523 of 2180 re:sagging springs by vidtech

Dec 07, 2003 (7:27 am)

i had the same problem with my f150.i found one broken leaf.i had a new set installed,and after a year noticed it leaning a little to the drivers side.i have dual fuel tanks and after they are filled up was when it was worst.the larger tank is on the drivers side so even with good springs my truck will always lean especially with a driver.you would think aftermarket springs would be labeled left and right to compensate for this.

#524 of 2180 F-series rear springs by dustyk

Dec 07, 2003 (8:19 am)

I think you'll likely find that after five years or so when you see a ride height problem it will be due to a cracked half-leaf, either the third or fourth. This is a moderately common occurence.
 
Look for cracks near the saddle area.
 
Regards,
Dusty

#525 of 2180 Thanks for suggestions regarding rear leaf sagging by campout

Dec 09, 2003 (7:16 pm)

Thanks to all on the list with suggestions regarding rear leaf sagging on '97 F-150. My son got under the truck on Sun. afternoon and nothing he could see around shackles or saddle. Will have too take into dealer or mechanic friend who has a shop and see what the story is. Again, thank you to all and Merry Christmas.
 
Sincerely,
Paul

#526 of 2180 2003 F150 vibration continues by danf150

Dec 10, 2003 (2:42 am)

Excellent advice as far as working with dealer....mine has been super so far and really has made a huge difference. I also have called the ford customer service # in the manual, but they never call back (I think they fwd the wueries to dealer).
 
At this point, Ford had submitted a buy back offer. It i simperative you make complaint early, and document it. They attempt to charge you for mileage used, I have mine frozen at zero as I made complaint to dealer svc mgr within 10 miles of picking up vehicle.
 
I think FoMoCo prefers this to consumer going with Lemon Law. I live in CT, they have excellent consumer protection website. They figure 4 visits (I have 9) and/or 30 days without use of vehicle in 2 years constitutes Lemon
 
I did everything EXCEPT go for half hour ride with dealer when I picked it up, my mistake.
 
At this point, Road Force balancing, 2 sets of tires (always OEM for some reason?), driveshaftremoval and balancing (twice), and running engine with driveshaft out still gives vibration at approx 1800 RPM.
 
I hope 2004 does better for me, I am hoping 5.4 may be smoother than 4.6
 
dan

#527 of 2180 Dan by wpalkowski

Dec 10, 2003 (10:06 am)

Is the buy back offer reasonable? I would hope so, if they have frozen the mileage.

#528 of 2180 '04 F150 still vibrating!! by billsaunders

Dec 10, 2003 (12:41 pm)

Thanks for all the input folks. I am having the tires replaced this week (with OEM as you said Dan) and hope this may help. I am also curious Dan if the Buyback offer was legitimate and/or fair. I would love to have this option now so that I could reevaluate and start over. Thanks for any input out there!!!
Bill

Messages Page 53 of 219

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