Nine problems related to rear suspension leaf spring leaf have been reported for the 1997 Ford F-150. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
1) driving low speed residential 2) middle leaf spring rear driver side broke, moved forward over time and swung into tire side wall destroying tire. Recall NHTSA # 98v161000 had been performed in 1998 to correct this potential failure. Further inspection revealed the opposite side leaf spring is broken and could do the same thing or puncture the fuel tank. 3) both rear leaf spring sets need replacement and left rear tire needs replacement.
Dt:the contact stated the middle leaf spring broke in the rear of her vehicle. The first time it broke was on the left side, it punctured a tire. The tire went flat while the truck was sitting. The leaf spring was repaired at this time by a certified mechanic. The second time was the right side leaf spring; while driving she heard a clunking sound, stopped the vehicle to inspect the noise, and noticed the leaf spring h broke. It was repaired by certified mechanic. Contacted Ford , there was a recall on the leaf springs, but did not include this vehicle due to VIN.
On April 12, 2003 while driving my 1997 Ford f 150 super cab pickup VIN 2ftdx08wxvca78856 I noticed a noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. After stopping to investigate I discovered the middle leaf of the rear leaf spring had broken in half and the forward half was dangling in the air held there by the clamp that was installed at the dealer (bonnell motors) where I purchased the truck as part of NHTSA recall 98v16000. Upon further examination I noticed the middle leaf on the left rear leaf spring appears to have shifted as it is no longer even with the other two leafs. I also took a closer look at the broken middle leaf from the right side and it appears that a major fracture existed for some time before this finally decided to fail. My first action was to call Ford customer relations to inform them and to file a complaint of what happened and to see if this type problem had been reported and if so what is going to be done. I advised them of the recall issued by NHTSA (98v16000). However I was told that recall was issued by a third party not Ford and there haven't been complaints received or recalls issued for this type of problem by Ford. Next I was advised by Ford customer relations to take the vehicle to bonnell motors and talk them about the problem. Although they wouldn't make any assurances Ford would pay for the repair as they work on a case by case basis between Ford and dealers to determine if the situation warrants it. Upon meeting with a service writer at bonnell motors I was advised they never saw this type of problem before, in fact they have never had to order leaf springs before. The service writer advised me that Ford's statement on springs was if the vehicle is overloaded or under loaded can result in leaf springs breaking. The service writer looked up how much it would cost to replace both right and left leaf springs. That cost would be $615. 00, and if had 2,000 fewer miles Ford would have paid all but a $250. 00 deductible.
Consumer states that vehicle was taken in for a recall on the rear leaf spring clip to prevent leaf spring from puncturing tank. Consumer states feels that recall was not properly corrected. Please provide any further information. Mr.
The rear leaf springs have separated and the clips that hold them together are coming off and are loose on the springs.
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.
Misalignment of both right and left side rear spring leafs.
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.
While backing up hears a noise. Dealer has been contacted. There is a technical service bulletin # 15692 that describes the exact problem, a constant snapping noise in the rear of the vehicle. Consumer believes this was a manufacturer defect.