Steering Tie Rod Assembly problems of the 1997 Ford F-150 - part 1

1997 Ford f150 driver side inner tie rod end became completely seperated during operation ot the vehicle, resulting in a sudden loss of control.

1997 Ford f150 tie rods are extremely loose. ** answer required***. It was demonstrated to the consumer that the ball end could be pulled out of the socket with bare hands. The socket was made of rubber.

1997 Ford F-150 truck possible defect of "tie rod ends". The consumer received a notice from the manufacturer, however the consumer believes they should pay for all repairs.

The consumer made a left turn at 10 mph and tie rod came out of the socket. Consumer pulled over, and had the vehicle towed. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

While shifting into reverse vehicle failed to move. Consumer got out of the vehicle to inspect it, and noticed that both front driver side and passenger side tires were turn inward. Consumer had the vehicle towed to a repair shop for inspection and the mechanic determined that both inner tire rods had popped and needed to be replaced.

Tie rod broke at a very gently used 40,000 miles.

While leaving a gas station the passenger side tie rod came out of it's socket. The consumer lost control of the vehicle for a short time but was able to stop safely. The consumer repaired the tie rod. The ball joint was dry and rusted. The ball joint was worn due to no grease. There is no way to grease it or to check to see if it needs to be lubricated.

While driving at 35 mph right side tie rod separated from gear, ball and socket fell off, resulting is loss of steering control. Dealer notified.

Dealer stated the tie rod needed to be replaced. Consumer indicated that the vehicle was no longer under warranty so he has to pay $400.

Tie rod failure. The left inner tie rod broke while driving at 40 mph causing difficulty in controlling truck.

I lost all steering control on my 1997 Ford F-150 extended cab pick up truck. The steering rod had come loose from the steering gear. I questioned the Ford dealer who made the repairs as to how this could happen. They stated that they had never seen this type of problem before. Since then I witnessed another Ford vehicle encounter the exact same problem. Due to large amount of explorers, expeditions and f150's on the road today, this was very concerning to me. Fortunately in both cases we were traveling at a very low rate of speed and was able to come to a stop without incident. I purchased this vehicle new and never had work done on the steering previous to this problem.

Consumer states tie rods broke while driving causing wheel to move erratically. Consumer not able to keep control of vehicle. This is the 2nd time incident has occurred in 1 year. The first time occurred at 40k miles. Mr.

While driving 15mph tie rod: inner broke off, causing loss of control.

Tie rod end broke in two while backing out of a parking space. Dealer and factory both refuse to acknowledge the seriousness of the failure, and they imply that because I did not go to the dealership for oil changes, I should not expect any further assistance or investigation on the matter. I consider it extremely fortunate that the failure was in a parking lot, had it been on the highway there could have been serious injury to myself and other innocent parties.

While turning into driveway, left tie rod broke off and caused tire to turn outwards.

While driving 55-60 mph front end started shaking, there was a noise and vehicle dropped on right front. Dealer determined that right tie rod had broken. On 6 June 2001 the left tie rod broke again.

While driving in reverse, left outer tie rod separated from vehicle, causing loss of control.

Another tie rod was faulty, only the boot was holding stud to the tie rod.

While trying to get out of a parking lot, the left tie rod ends fell off from vehicle. All the tie rods were replaced by the consumer who wants refunded from the manufacturer. The consumer believes the premature failure of the tie rod was due to defective parts.

Tie rod end on left front broke, while vehicle was parked, dealer notified and unwilling to assist in this matter. Consumer states as he was parking in the parking lot, the tie rod end came apart, no prior warning.

Front tie rod end broke off. Vehicle was parked, but if consumer was driving, there could have been a serious accident.

While backing up left/ upper tie rod popped out of socket, and vehicle had no steering, consumer felt this was a manufacturing defect.

I was pulling out of my driveway, horse trailer attached to the truck when the tie rod broke. Is this a defect in manufacturing? why would Ford manufacturing make parts such as tie rods non greasable, thus breakable. I could have been killed if this had happened one minute later.

While traveling on the road at 20 mph vehicle lost control due to a tie rod end failure. Dealer / manufacturer notified. Provide further details.

While traveling on highway noticed loss of steering. Dealer stated that inner tie rod broke. A second tie rod end was found to be worn and was replaced also.

Tie rod end separated from the vehicle at 60mph. Dealer has been notified.

While driving at 35 mph inner tie rod came off, and the ball joints are trying to coming off.

Outer tie rod ends falling from sockets, causing sudden and total loss of steering.

Truck is used as family transportation, never been involved in any accidents. Tie rod end broke turning in to a parking lot. Towed to dealer. Finally got it fixed 9 days later, was told there was a national backorder on the part. Drove the truck 1 day before the other side tie rod broke - pulling out of my driveway at approx. 5m. P. H. . Towed again to dealer to have second tie rod replaced.

While backing out of the driveway the inner tie rod snapped in half. The dealer is aware of the problem. The tie rod has not been replaced.

When driving at about 70-75 mph, slightly turning the wheel owner heard a loud noise . He took vehicle into the dealer for inspection and was informed that the inner tie rod was loose. Consumer states just 1000 miles prior to the failure, he had vehicle in the shop for the 60000 mile check up.

While driving 30 mph hit a rail road track and vehicle started traveling to the left, causing consumer to lose control of vehicle due to tie rods ,.

The inner tie rod assembly failed.

While driving vehicle began to vibrate, consumer got out of the vehicle but could not see anything, consumer then proceeded to drive about 5mph when the vehicle began to vibrate again, plus there was a squeaking noise, vehicle was taken into a mechanic, and consumer was informed that the tie rod end on the drivers side had fallen out of position.

Upon starting vehicle there is a constant banging noise. Took to dealer and dealer states vehicle spun a rod, and cause coolant to get in oil and engine. Please provide any further information. Ts.