A week or so ago, I thought I had read a posting about a service bulletin for the '97 F150. It was mentioning a problem with the exhaust tailpipe exiting in front of the passenger side real wheel. Supposedly this configuration was causing discoloration and problems with the rear wheel and the remedy was to reroute the exhaust to exit aft of the wheel.

Since then, I can no longer find the article.
Is there a TSB on this?

I just purchased a '97 F250 with the same exhaust and was wondering if there was a problem/fix.

 

I haven't looked for it, nor seen it, but Ford changed the exhaust to a rear exit because the exhaust fumes were coming in the rear sliding window. It's an EPA thing ya know. They stopped putting in pop out windows on Econoline vans for the same reason.

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1997 F-150, 4.6, automatic, Dark Toreador Red, Supercab, Flareside, 4X4 Off-Road, Towing Package, Ford hvy dty rubber floor mats, Chrome Grizzly Wrap Around Push Bar with 2 KC 100w Daylighters, Ventshades, Ford bedliner, Code Alarm Sure Start RVS remote starter, Ford alarm, Realistic CB with Wilson Little Wil antenna and Astatic power mic, ported MAF sensor, and Lots of TLC!! (Besides being an F-150 nut, I am a Ford auto technician.)

 

If you are past warranty you have to pay out of pocket for relocation of tailpipe. there was a TSB for it but no recall.

[This message has been edited by ps398 (edited 12-30-1999).]

 

My 97 has always had the in front of rear configuration. No problems and even now with the Super truck it has exhibited no problems.

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97 F-150 SC Lariat, Styleside, White over Gold, 4.6L (Windsor), Automatic, 3.55 rear end, electronic 4X4, w/ every option of Lariat and ORP packages except the 17" wheels (I even got the OR decals now!), MOD's so far: K&N air box mod, Gibson Super Truck, clear Bugflector II, Leer TSC 600 hard cover, Bridgestone Dueler OWL ATP 265/75 R-16's, TrailMaster Invader N7 shocks, Smittybilt step bars, Ford moulded mud guards, "White-white" head lamps, Cloud Rider Design's SS Grill and bumper opening "Summer Grill's", Bosch platinum + 4's.

 

I had the exhaust relocated on my 97 F150 with over 50k on it. They also replaced the center caps for the wheels on the passenger side. They were so green they were almost black. I had reported the problem for 2 years no one would fix it until a tsb came out. Then my truck was out of warrenty....to make a long story short they fixed mine anyhow. I know of a couple people that needed new wheels because of this. Ford paid for new wheels. The originals were pitting from the exhaust. TIre rotations got more than one wheel.

-jeff b.

 

Does anyone know the TSB number offhand?
I just bought a '97 F250 in November and am slowly working my way through the recalls/TSBs.

I had the pitman arm fixed a couple of weeks ago and want to do the exhaust fix next. The only other problem I have so far is the door cracks so I figured I would get the exhaust fixed and have them look atthe doors.

Any other problems I should be looking for? I have about 5 months and 9000 miles left on the warranty.

 

I would really appreciate it if someone would post the TDB (a summary), not just the number. Besides a center cap, I have some pitted chrome wheels that might have been caused by this problem.

 

Article No.
97-26-13

LIGHT TRUCK:
1997 F-150, 250

ISSUE:
The right rear wheel and/or wheel cover may become discolored and/or pitted and can not be cleaned. This may be due to exhaust from the exhaust pipe discharging on the wheel.

ACTION:
Replace the exhaust system with a 1998 model year system. The 1998 model year system reroutes the tail pipe behind the rear wheel so exhaust will not be discharged onto the wheel. Refer to the following text.

Obtain an Exhaust Kit, muffler and outlet pipe, and heat shield assembly for the model being worked on by referring to Part Number/Part Name chart for correct application.

NOTE:
IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO INSTALL A SINGLE EXTENSION PIPE ON F-150/250 157" WHEELBASE (WB). ON F-250 ONLY, IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE PARK BRAKE CABLE.

Refer to the Instruction Sheet included in the Exhaust Kit for installation procedures.

Clean the wheel and wheel cover using Ford Custom Bright Metal Cleaner (8A-19522-A). If cleaning is not successful replace the right rear wheel and wheel cover.

OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: NONE

SUPERSEDES: 97-25-7

WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under The Provisions Of Bumper To Bumper Warranty Coverage.

DEALER CODING

BASIC PART NO.
5255

CONDITION CODE
43

OASIS CODES: 108000, 306000, 403000

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'98 F150 XL Regular Cab, LWB, 4.2L V6, 5 Spd, 3.55 LS, Rhino Lining, factory heavy duty suspension, 3" Gibson Swept Side Cat Back, K&N filter, Oxford White minus the two tone garbage. BIG TIME FoMoCo p/u fan, not some fair weather hammerhead.

 

Fordman, thanks a bunch for posting the TSB.
My local guy happily took down my concern and ordered the kit. I did not ask about the hubcap and wheel. The cap is tarnished.
Only one wheel, currently on right front, is pitted. The others are perfect. Should I rotate that wheel back to the right rear so there will be no question?
thanks,
ken

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1997 F150 XLT-STX, Reg. Cab,Oxford White, 4.2L, Auto, 3:55, Prestige Alarm System, MPC Wrap Bugshield
-It's a beautiful Thing!-
Also: 1996 Probe
1998 Mustang
1999 Taurus

 

I would rotate it back just to be sure.

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'98 F150 XL Regular Cab, LWB, 4.2L V6, 5 Spd, 3.55 LS, Rhino Lining, factory heavy duty suspension, 3" Gibson Swept Side Cat Back, K&N filter, Oxford White minus the two tone garbage. BIG TIME FoMoCo p/u fan, not some fair weather hammerhead.

 

My dealer replaced my exhaust to exit behind the wheel at no cost. I have a 97 4.2. My question is, I think I lost a lot of power, anyone else notice the power drop?

 

Got my truck back today after getting the roof crack problem fixed and the exhaust thing done. I was expecting the exhaust to be rerouted to go straight back under the bumper but it exits behind the wheel instead of in front of the wheel. I find no change in power. Non-Ford exhaust guys told me it should make no difference, which is what the Ford guys told me, also. They also replaced the hub cap and gave me a new wheel because the old one's were pitted (but only one wheel, the other three were just like new)

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1997 F150 XLT-STX, Reg. Cab,Oxford White, 4.2L, Auto, 3:55, Prestige Alarm System, MPC Wrap Bugshield, Spare tire Shield,
-It's a beautiful Thing!-
Also: 1996 Probe
1998 Mustang
1999 Taurus

 

Hey guys. I have noticed that a lot of you are having paint cracking problems. Is this in the "water" channel above each door? My paint has cracked severly on my 1995 in this location. If the cracks you are talking about are in this location, what was done to fix them? Are they clear coat or paint cracks? Thanks!

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1995 F-150 Regular Cab Flareside w/ 302 V8... Mods: Dual Exhaust (no mufflers), full JL/Kicker/Pionner system