NHTSA Complaint #10355850 — 2007 FORD FREESTYLE

THE CAR DEVELOPED A SERIOUS RIGHT-LEFT JERK WHEN EVER THE CAR WAS ACCELERATED OR DECELERATED. THE FORD DEALER TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT THE LEFT LOWER BALL JOINT WAS LOOSE. FROM THE OFFICIAL FORD REPAIR MANUAL THE BALL JOINT SHOULD BE AT 85 FT-LBS. IN MY OPINION A NUT SET TO 85 FT-LBS SHOULD NOT HAVE WORKED LOOSE. THE TECHNICIAN HAD NO IDEA WHY THE BALL JOINT NUT HAD COME LOOSE. SINCE THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FROM A FORD DEALER AND NO FRONT END MECHANICAL WORK WAS EVER DONE, I BELIEVE THAT THE BALL JOINT NUT WAS NOT SET TO THE PROPER TORQUE WHEN THE CAR WAS INITIALLY ASSEMBLED. ONCE THE FORD DEALER COMPLETED THE REPAIR I ASKED THE TECHNICIAN TO CHECK THE RIGHT SIDE AND IN FACT THE RIGHT SIDE BALL JOINT WAS ALSO A LITTLE LOOSE. *TR