Steering Tie Rod Assembly problems of the 1998 Ford F-150 - part 1

Failure was immediate, Ford f150 fuel tank straps. While driving down the road apparently the tank straps gave way and the fuel tank dropped. Before coming to a stop and after catching some uneven pavement, fuel tank was pealed open and losing about 8 gallons gas. Fire dept was called and they cleaned up spill. Both straps broke and fuel tank is un-repairable. Updated 08/05/11 the consumer stated he experienced other problems with the vehicle, such as a leaking power steering gear box, brake lines had to be replaced, there was a leak in the 4-wheel drive gear box, the muffler hangers, ball joints, tie rod ends and shocks all had to be replaced. Updated 08/11/1.

1-driving on highway-highway speeds, changed lanes 2-tie rod end separated, caused loss of control, swerved into breakdown lane 3-truck was delivered to repair station, tie rod end needed replacement **this is the second tie rod that has failed in this truck while driving. The first failure caused loss of control as well and was actually worse at slower speed.

Consumer filed a complaint before regarding a similar problem. Consumer did not have an odi number. While driving she turned into driveway to turn around and tie rod end broke off. This happened on June 30, 2005. This was a safety problem. Consumer did not know what caused the tie rod end to break.

I was traveling 30 mph when the tie rod of my 1998 f150 came apart. All of a sudden I had no steering period. There was no indication this was bad ,no bad tire wear, no shaking ,nothing. Between the towing ,replacing the part & an unneeded alignment iam out 200$ which is cheap cosidering what could of happened.

1) driving and the first the right side wheel popped, then about a2 weeks later the left side popped 2) unable to move vehicle 3) had to buy new ball joints yes we still have the ones from the factory, the factory parts are not greasable, the new parts are.

Ford f150 drivers side outer tierod ball joint failed. The tierod completly seperated from steering knuckle. The truck was pulling into a parking lot. No damage to my vehicle. Replacement parts have been purchased and will be installed.

While making a left turn into a parking lot at 15 mph or less, the consumer heard a loud noise and the consumer lost steering control. The vehicle was towed to a local repair shop. The mechanic informed the consumer that tie rod was broken and need to be replaced.

While driving,the drive side tire rod sheared off. The driver was able to pull over. The consumer had the vehicle repaired at the nearest mechanic. Please fill in additional information. The inner tie rod was separated and fell apart. The wheels turned in different directions.

I just read the article about Ford truck owners having tie rod problems. I did receive a letter. I had one tie rod break two weeks ago, with no warning at all. I had not yet opened the letter.

The vehicle started shaking uncontrollably while driving. The driver was able to maintain control of the vehicle and pulled over. The consumer noticed that the driver side tie rod had sheared off from the ball joint socket. The consumer was able to drive it to the dealer. The mechanic informed the driver that the tie rod and lower ball joints needed replacement. Please fill in additional information.

Right front tie rod broke in half and separated from the tie adjustor. Consumer lost control of vehicle after driving 25 mph.

While making a sharp right turn driver's side inner tie rod detached. When this occurred consumer had no control of the front driver side wheel. This almost resulted in an accident, but the pick up was going at a slow speed and the driver was able to maintain control of the pick up. The tie rod could not be lubricated. The inner tie rod was replaced.

During normal street driving, the left outer tie rod end popped off. It caused the tire to veer left and shattered the left rim. Ford refused to do anything to the vehicle,as it was out of warranty. I replaced both inner and outer ends on the left and right, out of fear of failure at a later time or worse, a failure at highway speed. After discussion with Ford, they wouldn't admit this was a problem ( abnormally rapid wear!) and refused to compensate me for the parts and time.

While driving tie rod snapped. Consumer managed to pull over, and had the vehicle towed. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

Vehicle: 1998 Ford F-150 4x4 with 68,000 miles. Original and sole driver of vehicle which is in excellent shape with no driveability issues prior to incident. Events: traveling down a straight road at 35 mph failure: catastrophic failure of driver's side tie rod resulting in loss of control of vehicle. Correction of failure: Ford dealer, sunnyside motor company, holden,MA 01520, 1-800 649-4333 , invoice # 103830 dated 6/3/04 replaced failed part along with all other tie rods and idler arm. I have in my possession all replaced parts. This incident could have cost my life plus other's while in my vehicle. Ford is ambivalent about the situation. I need your help. This vehicle has never been abused or used for off roading. Operation of steering and vehicle tracking down highway was excellent prior to incident. I am also having the defective part along with questionable parts that were replaced examined by an independent source.

Driving over railroad tracks appoximately 40 mph, right outer tie rod end separated, causing loss of steering . I have replaced inner and outer tie rod ends on both sides of the vehicle. Old part was thrown away.

Tie rod on passenger side of 1998 f150 XLT fell off truck while driving. Luckily, I was traveling at a low speed. Glad that I had not reached the interstate and traveling 65 mph. Hate to see what would have happened to my children, who are 6 and 8, that were in the truck. Or any innocent weekend travelers.

Tie rod failure resulting in damage to vehicle and personal property.

While attempting to back up my vehicle(1998 Ford F-150 4 x 4 6 cyl) I thought I was hung up on something as there was a great deal of resistance in doing so. When I got out to check for obstructions in the roadway, I was horrified to see that both of my front tires were facing each other (toed in). After much ado, and many men stopping to see what my problem was, I learned that the front passenger side tie rod had let go without any warning! with only 60,000 miles on my truck, everyone told me to investigate why this happened because it should not have occurred. It is my understanding that Ford used to have a greased fitting holding the tierods and has switched to a nylon fitting that is non-greasable to save money>. . . . I can tell you that I was very sick to my stomach to think that my tie rod could have let go while traveling on the highway and I would have been facing the possibility of disasterous consequences. That did not give me a warm and fuzzy feeling. I bought this pick-up because I thought I was safer driving a big vehicle. Little did I know that some small little nylon part was defective and was compromising my ability to steer my vehicle. Would you please tell me how many more people have had this happen to them?? my garage tells me they have seen plenty!.

Inner tie-rod joint broke while backing out of parking space. Vehicle drove fine up to that point. Steering component inspection two months prior did not indicate any needed repairs.

While driving 30 mph front driver's side upper ball joint broke, causing the tie rods to shoot through the rim. Immediately the vehicle lost control.

While pulling into a parking space front tie rods failed. As a result, steering became inoperative.

Both tie-rod ends have fellen off since July 2002. Left side when pulling out of bank parking lot and recently when backing up on level ground.

While driving 55 mph the inner tie rod came unhooked and caused the driver to loose control of the vehicle. The mechanic replaced the tie rods.

While driving 35 mph the tie rod end disintegrated and fell off. Which resulted in loss of control of the vehicle.

Broken tie rod drivers side. Happened in parking lot when backing out. Just before 70000 miles.

The tie rod assembly failed. . Also, vehicle needs an alignment.

Pe 98 024 / tie rod end failure: consumer states while driving in heavey traffic of 10-15 mph the tie rod end broke on the left front causing loss of steering. Dealer and the manufacturer has been notified. Feel free to provide any further information.

Both tie rod ends fell off vehicle while consumer was driving. Consumer could not control vehicle. Contacted dealer, and the dealer was not willing to do anything. Ak.

Left front tie rod broke off while the consumer was driving, causing the tire to go sideways. Contacted the dealer, and the dealer was not willing to do anything. Consumer stated that the the front end needed replacing plus tires the estimate is $983. 45.

While traveling around a corner consumer heard a noise. Consumer lost control of steering. Vehicle was serviced, technician noticed that tie rod : inner and outer needed to be replaced.

Tie rod end came off while driving down the road at 35 mph. When we took it to be repaired we were told both ball joints need replacing. The mechanic made the comment to us that they have had several Ford F-150's with similar problems and know of other garages reporting the same. We feel fortunate we were not injured. We travel the interstate most of the time at speeds of 55-60mph and would have been injured for sure. We feel that the repairs necessary on a truck of this late model is excessive and wondered if a recall was in order. We have already replaced the head gasket which fortunately was under warranty.

While parked noticed tie rod broke off. *akconsumer was backing up to hook on a trailer when the outer tie rod end on the passenger side fell off. Consumer automatically had both rods replaced.

While backing into his driveway, the left front tie rod separated where the ball meets the cup or socket. It appeared to consumer that the portion of the cups rim that keeps the ball in place, wore out, and caused the rod to pop out and wedge into the wheels rim. Losing the capability to steer the vehicle as well as ruining the rim.

Consumer stated when vehicle was in reverse there was a noise, consumer got out to see if he had run over something, but did not see anything, he put the vehicle back into reverse and that is when he lost all steering, consumer got out the vehicle again and that is when he noticed the tie rod come off and was sticking through the wheel of the truck.