I have a '97 F-150 with a little over 60K and just heard what sounded like a bad rod clatter last Thusday on my home from work. Have been meticulous re: maintainence. When I called the dealer and Ford Customer service got the full run-around. An indepedant mechanic, who I trust, said that he believes that the sound is coming from a bad engine bearing. A bad bearing at 60K seems beyond the pale to me. Ford has said that they will do nothing to cure this problem as I am outside of the warranty period. Anyone have a similar mechanical or beauracratic problem? Any Ideas? Please Help!!!!

 

Scott: there's a thread around here somewhere on extended warrenties, to buy or not to buy. Most of us that do buy never need them and then there's the others that gamble on nothing major going wrong and wham they get hit with a bad bearing. I guess it's just the luck of the draw. If you do have a bad bearing, I would suggest you take it to the mechanic you trust and stay away from the Ford Service dept (that just my 02 here) From my experience, I've found independent mechanics (that you trust) to do much better work and have it done faster and cheaper. Good luck with your truck and I hope it doesn't cost too much. Please post what you end of doing and what all has to be done to fix.

 

Are you sure it isn't piston slap! OR it could be stemed from the cause of the slap problem! It seems some one posted something to the effect of it had to do with wrist pin! Check other postings on this site! There is no gurantee it happens early on like those of us who have had this problem. You may be the first with it at a later date. If it is a bearing you can bet your *** i would be in court for manufacturer defect and reliability! Is this the sign of our illusterous 5.4 reliability rating. Only time will tell!!!!!

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1999 F-150 4X4 Super cab lariat, 5.4, 3.73 gears,deepwedgewood blue,
and all the options, build date 3/1/99

 

First of all, Scott, sorry to hear about your problem. You are in a very difficult position.

Considering the number of these engines out there, a bad bearing in an engine with 60,000 miles on it is not unusual. Sure, to the individual, it's significant, but in the whole scheme of things, you'd expect these things to happen albeit very infrequently.

Everybody builds a certain percentage of lemons. Personally, I still believe Ford builds fewer of them than most.

I don't know if it's just me, but the dozen or so cars I've owned in the past 20+ years, I've blown 4 transmissions, the a/c system in EVERY vehicle, had a leaky rack & pinion steering system on 2, blew the power steering pump on 1 and numerous other things.

Everytime I've blown the a/c, it's been a $400 to $1,000 repair. Ever had a blown German tranny rebuilt? We're talking $3,000!!! Needless to say, since 1985, I've been a big fan of extended warrantees.


Having said all that, if I were you, I'd go to a sympathetic dealer and see what they can do for you. If you're loyal to one dealer, they may try to help you out. It can't hurt to ask. Failing that, as Tina said, take it to an independant mechanic. Many know top mechanics who fix their friends' cars on weekends. Ask around.