Steering Tie Rod Assembly problems of the 1997 Ford Expedition

Tie rod threads stripped leads to complete loss of steering and near-death experience.

My 1997 Ford Expedition 4x4 with 95,000 miles just experienced a failure in the drivers side tie-rod. The inner tie-rod end shredded where it connects to the center link.

While driving, vehicle will bounce. Contacted dealer. This was a result of the tie rod having too much play.

Tie rod end separated at the knuckle, causing vibration and left front tire and wheel turning in and making the vehicle undriveable.

After making a right turn off a major parkway in westchester county NY, where we had been traveling at 60 mph, I made a right turn at exit . After proceeding 25 feet, a horrific noise was heard, the car lost steering ability and shook and bucked wildly. Hit a tree on roadside and came to rest. Found that the left tie rod ball joint completely separated and the left wheel had no steering at all. The incident would have killed my entire family had it happened at highway speed. This should not be possible. Prior to this, last year, both sway bar links fractured, also resulting in a near crash situation. This vehicle needs to be investigated. It is a death machine on wheels!!!!.

Inner tie rod had to be replaced on the driver's side. Five month ago, out tie rod had to be replaced. Problem was due to no grease fitting. Dealer was notified. Feel free to provide any further information.

Stabilizer bar end links were broken in half and had to be replaced. In addition at approx. 60,000 miles during 2000 c. Y. All ball joints and tie rod ends had failed and had to be replaced at the cost of over $1600. 00. The "lube-for-life" design for these components is a farce. They were rusted and warn out and created an unstable front suspension and steering situation. This vehicle has seen no off-road driving.

Left and right tie rods broke off while consumer was driving, and consumer could not control the vehicle. Contacted dealer, and the dealer fixed the problem. *akboth tie rods broke off between 75 and 85 k miles. Vehicle has never been off raod or in an accident, there was no indication of failure prior to both incidents.

The vehicle can't be drive forward or reverse because the left inner tie rod end had fallen off, ipon examination of the tie rod end the consumer found that there was no bolt or any other mechanism to hold the two parts together, the consumer believes this is a defective design.

I've had two tie rod break since I've owned this vehicle. (I wasn't sure of the date, so I made one up on the questionaire. I can find out if needed. It was in 1999 but I don't know the exact date the first time it happened)the second time it happened, we could have been killed. We were driving around 60mph down the road, with lots of curves, when all of a sudden the car started going out of control. Like when you get a blowout. I've contacted customer sevice for Ford and she was no help. I'm going to bring the part that broke to my local Ford dealer and see what he can do. Although when I spoke to him on the phone, he told me there probably would be nothing that could be done. I don't use this vehicle harshly and don't understand why the tyrods are breaking. That puts anyone in a life-threatening position and I feel something should be done about this. The Ford dealer that I put on the questionaire might be out of business now so the phone number and address might be incorrect. My local Ford dealer is copper country Ford located in houghton mi.

Consumer heard noise from front of vehicle, went to dealer who found that tie rod end was breaking, replaced at owner's expense.

While driving outer tie rod broke and caused tire to tow, and other tire is just going striaght.

Pulled out of my driveway into traffic with family in vehicle and almost immediately lost all steering control. Tie rod end snapped out (faulty design), replaced with moog brand properly designed outer tie rod. Also the sway bar separated from the truck. This vehicle is not used for any type of "off road" driving, there was no warning before the tie rod went. More than one auto mechanic has told me that Ford is the only auto company that make their tie rods in this manner. There does not seem to be any "safety" feature to the tie rod end to keep it from falling out. I had just been traveling on the interstate at 65 mph two minutes prior to the total loss of vehicle control. We are certainly aware that the mileage on our vehicle warrants some wear and tear, however, these tie rods are just not made properly. Please research the design used and compare to the more appropriately designed moog brand replacements. Also the sway bar is completely unattached from the vehicle on the left front side.

Lost control while turning into an intersection at 5 mph due to driver's side inner tie rod disconnecting. Also, both side sway bar links fell off. Dealer was not contacted.

While driving at 70 mph left front inner tie rod end broke, causing loss of steering. Manufacturer was notified about the problem. Part was replaced at owner's expense. Ford has provided no assistance.

Vehicle had two sets of front tie rod replacements since November, 1998, and believed that this condition was due to a manufacturer's defect (anti-sway bar link arms). Delaer notified and informed consumer that the 98 vehicle was corrected for that same problem, but nothing was done for owner of 1997 vehicle. Can NHTSA provide additional information or help in this matter.

Threads on the tie rod end that screw into the adjusting sleeve failed, the threads were completely worn out.

Company vehicle. Ie98026; while driving one wheel pointed to right and one to left. When attempting to turn vehicle. Tie rod end became separated from link piece. Dealer contacted, and stated no warranty on vehicle. Repairwork done at owners expense. Provided further information.

Tie rod and adjuster sleeve failed.

While driving inner tie rod failed and snapped apart, preventing any movement of steering wheel. Please give any further details.

Suspension system feels that it does not handle properly, bolt fell out of the front end, after repair front end fell out of the truck due to tie-rod ends pulling apart.