I just filed a complanit with NHTSA http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/hotline/ about the lower A arm problem maybe if we all stick together they can get Ford to fix it.I just hope no one gets hurt before it gets done.

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1999 Red SVT Lightning
#3466 of 4000
NLOC #428
99 Grand Prix GTP Red

 

Super Chicken

I think that is a good idea. If a number of us fill out the form at NHTSA and start a record, we maybe can get Ford to step up.

------------------
Jim

jim@jimshaw.cc
Black 00, Swanson Chip, clear corners, super whites
Airaid w/10" Big Mouth filter, chrome wheels,
AIM 2" drop shackles, Mobile1 w/FilterMag
2000 E320, 1993 Cobra R, 1959 Corvette, 1949 Plymouth Coupe

Looking for a better paying job to support my L

 

Hey guys I live in Orange County - have you found a dealer that will take care of the problem properly? I went to Tuttle Click Ford in Irvine, told them about the star washer fix, told them to call SVT since the TSB hasn't been released yet, they say "OK OK we'll take it all into consideration," and what do they do? They just retighten the bolts with loc-tite! I told them to check their files I had been there before for the same problem and just tightening it doesn't work. They said their files don't show that I had come in for that problem before. Unbelievable! As if I'm just making it all up!

FORDSALES are you guys doing the star washer fix?

Mike

 

VOQ Submitted

VOQ Status: In Process ODI Number: 724767

We appreciate the report you have provided. Reports from motorists are a very important source of information for our investigations. Each report is analyzed and compiled into a computerized data system to assist us in identifying potential recall inadequacies and safety defects to determine whether an investigation is warranted. The information you have provided will be reviewed and entered into our data system. It will be used with other reports to identify recall inadequacies and safety-defect trends which require our attention.

adp
#1530
Black '99




[This message has been edited by adp (edited 06-29-2000).]

 

I haven't gotten any thing back from NHTSA yet my ODI #724741. We don't get to all the L owner on this forum and with the number of us that have the problem you would think the other people are going to Ford. Is Ford cover it up. I just don't understand.

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1999 Red SVT Lightning
#3466 of 4000
NLOC #428
99 Grand Prix GTP Red

 

I’m still trying to figure out how you believe this would hurt someone.
This is not a safety risk, but it is annoyance that should be fix. I do not disagree with you, that this should be fixed, but getting NHTSA involved has no real point, as this is an annoyance, not a safety risk. I agree, that the dealers need to take a more active approach in helping you resolve this, such as Reporting it . You have to realize that the dealers normally don’t report stuff they can’t make money on, and I also believe the situation was not thought to be as wide spread as it is.

Super Chicken, how do you know Ford or SVT is not working feverishly to find a safe and permanent solution to this problem? Since you seem so reactive, this is probably keeping you up at night, so please rest assured that a solution to this is and has been a top priority.

Steven

 

Steven, do you work for Ford? How else would you know if Ford is even looking for a fix? I'm not worried about any danger, but it is bull***** to have to back out of a parking space in a $30,000 truck that sounds like it is falling apart! No flame, but I would think if Ford wanted to come up with a fix it would have been done by now. Unless they are just trying to come up with a fix that is dirt cheap!

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Jerry Jordan
99.5 Red Hot Bolt
13.33 @ 101.94(stock F1 tires)
PSP filter and chip
(tire destroyer)
Impulse Lo-Pro bed cover
71 Cutlass conv.
Piper PA28-235
74 Suzuki TS185 (128 original miles)

 

Jerry, I don't think fixing this, or not fixing this is as much based on money, as it is on doing it right. If Ford really felt that welding on star washers was *right* then I believe they would/will do it. This is a cheap fix. But welding it on has some draw backs.
They are working hard to solve this, as believe or not they feel you are very valuable customers. It just pains me to see how dealers treat people in need of repairs, they treat you will little to no respect.

P.S. If you’re wondering, yes I do have the “clunk”, a header/exhaust leak, and cold start heat shield rattle (last about 20 seconds), a 90 mph ghost, a poorly painted new front facial (it is chipping bad, and has orange peel like the Rockies), and you want to know the weird thing, I still love this vehicle.

 

Steven, I love this truck also. I hope I don't have to own anything else but an "L" for a long time. And I am a life long Chev. man. I have the clunk, and the driver seat is worn about through from the metal bar that sticks in your left leg. I hope a fix for the front end comes before I get to 36,000. I'm @ 18,000 now and have not gone in for the front end problems because my dealer says that they never heard of the problem. At least I don't have a leaking intercooler...knock on wood!!!

 

Guys,

The archive isn't working for me yet...maybe its my server, maybe its the new server here, but real quick...

Where are these "cam bolts"? A local friend has a '00 model that's starting to clunk some, and he and I were planning on just hitting the nut/bolt assembly with a quality air impact.

I need to b/c I need to get the front end aligned and that's worthless if the bolt is loose. I'm at 8100 miles in 11 months and love the truck, but the clunk is getting a bit worse. I'm sure my wife's new Expedition will be doing the same thing shortly.

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Wes Tarbox
90 LX 5.0 (10.69 @ 134.7)--597rwhp/590rwtq
96 Cobra (12.63 @ 114.5)--390rwhp/441rwtq
99 Lightning (13.20 @ 103.3)--362rwhp/444rwtq
00 Expedition XLT 5.4
http://members.aol.com/Wa2fst/index.html

 

Silver Bullet
How can you not think that if this bolt wouldn't sheared off and that you wouldn't lose control of your truck. https://www.f150online.com/f150board...ML/002981.html . That clucking sound is that bolt moving back and forth after a while it will shear off and you don't need to be a PHD to under stand that. And the Service Manager GREG stated that Ford would have a fix for it in 2002 model year. And besides that how do you know it not a safety issue. I would like to have someone else look at it from outside the Ford Family and tell me it is safe. Ford said that the Pinto was safe and Chevy said that there pick ups were safe in a side impact. You just go talk to the people that lost loved ones and find out if they trust Ford or Chevy.

------------------
1999 Red SVT Lightning
#3466 of 4000
NLOC #428
99 Grand Prix GTP Red




[This message has been edited by Super Chicken (edited 06-30-2000).]

 

Like I said before, go look at the how the loads are distributed in the front suspension and more importantly in that joint, and you will see how/why I feel this is not a safety risk.
I have the clunk, the worst of anyone I know, I've autocrossed the truck multiple times, if it going to shear right off I think it would have, it doesn't even move when your that abusive, it is a low speed drive way movement.

WA 2 FST, an impact wrench might work, but make sure you clean the washer landing area and the washer good, also if your motivated enough, get a washer with “teeth” one side, about the same size as stock. The big issue here is the about of frame wax where the washer sits. If you get the washers, knock them good and tight and back off to set torque. (Front Suspension Lower Arm Nut 164-200 Nm 121-148 ft-lbs out of service manual)

 

An impact wrench did not work on mine.

While I had the L up on the lift when it was first purchased, I had the dealership (where I worked) tighten the bolts with an impact wrench and now 3000 miles later "CLUNK"

------------------
Jim

jim@jimshaw.cc
Black 00, Swanson Chip, clear corners, super whites
Airaid w/10" Big Mouth filter, chrome wheels,
AIM 2" drop shackles, Mobile1 w/FilterMag
2000 E320, 1993 Cobra R, 1959 Corvette, 1949 Plymouth Coupe

Looking for a better paying job to support my L

 

Opps, double post

[This message has been edited by FORDSALES (edited 06-30-2000).]

 

I had the front end clunk too. Also, I would get a very loud "bang" noise on several occasions. I have not seen any posts where anybody got the loud bang. Also, the clunk started off as a noise I heard at low speed. Then I started to get it turning up highway ramps.

The fix I got from Ford was new and apparently quite different lower control arms and a four wheel alignment. No star washers and no cam bolts listed on the service ticket.

So there is a fix. I strongly recommend you get it and do not accept anything less. Repeat, the fix is replacement lower control arms specific to the Lightning and not just any F150.

And, the service writer inspected both the old and new lower control arms and declared that the new control arms appeared to be much heavier duty. Now what does that tell you with regard to durability and safety? Makes me wonder.

The mechanic who worked on my truck is suppose to be front-end specialist. He did say he did not think the "clunk" problem was a safety issue.

Finally, I think my handling was greatly improved with the fix.