NHTSA Complaint #10316816 — 2005 FORD F-250 SD

1) @50,000 MILES, NORMAL CITY DRIVING, SPEED LESS THAN 30 MPH. 2) LEFT TIEROD BROKE WITHOUT WARNING. THE TIE ROD DROPPED TO THE GROUND AND THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL NO LONGER HAD STEERING CONTROL. THE TIE ROD LOOKS LIKE THE CASTELLATED NUT WAS OVER TORQUED CAUSING THE STUD TO BREAK OFF AND THE TAPERED SHAFT TO FALL OUT OF THE SPINDLE. THIS IS NOT A CASE OF THE BALL JOINT IN THE TIE ROD WEARING OUT. I'M LUCKY IN THIS CASE IT HAPPENED AT A SLOW SPEED AND NO TRAILER IN TOW. IF I WAS MOVING FASTER WITH A TRAILER, IT COULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTER TO LOSE STEERING CONTROL OF THE LEFT FRONT TIRE. THE RIGHT SIDE TIRE WAS STILL ABLE TO STEER. THE TRUCK SWERVED OUT OF THE LANE MOMENTARILY WHILE I REGAINED SOME CONTROL. IN THE ACT OF DROPPING DOWN, THE TIE ROD MADE CONTACT WITH THE BEAD AREA OF THE FRONT RIM. AS A RESULT THE WHEEL RIM WAS ALSO RUINED. IT WAS INTERESTING THAT THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER AND THE SERVICE MANAGER BOTH MENTIONED THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS KIND OF PROBLEM BEFORE. 3) THE TRUCK WAS FLATBEDDED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. THE TIE ROD END WAS REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE FOR ~$750, NOT INCLUDING THE DAMAGED WHEEL. I HAVE THE OLD PART AND CAN SUPPLY PICTURES IF NEEDED. *TR