NHTSA Complaint #754208 — 1997 FORD F-150

FRONT SUSPENSION IS A "SEALED BALL/SOCKET SYSTEM" SUPPOSEDLY NEEDING NO GREASE. THE TIE ROD DRIVER'S SIDE/INNER JUST POPPED OFF AT LOW SPEED. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SOCKET WAS DRY CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEAR/CORROSION ON THE JOINT. WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE PITTMAN ARM IS ALSO DRY AND IN NEED OF GREASE - ACTUALLY, REPLACEMENT, NOW. I AM CONTINUALLY ASSURED BY FORD SERVICE DEPT., THAT THE TRUCK DOES NOT NEED TO HAVE GREASE ADDED AS IT HAS A "SEALED BALL AND SOCKET JOINT SYSTEM" THESE PARTS SHOULD BE MANDATED TO HAVE GREASE FITTINGS FOR PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE CAPABILITIES. ****HUBS**** DESIGN FLAW WITH THE DIAMETER OF THE HUBS IN RELATION TO THE WHEEL/ROTORS, ETC., ON THE 1997 TRUCKS, THE DIAMETER OF THE HUBS DID NOT ALLOW FOR EVEN A MINOR AMOUNT OF NORMAL CORROSION. THIS RESULTS IN THE MECHANIC'S INABILITY TO REMOVE THE HUB FOR SERVICE WITHOUT DAMAGING THE HUB ASSY. (THERE IS NO "LIP" OR DIFFERENCE OF DIAMETER TO TAP HE EDGE OF THE HUB ASSY TO REMOVE IT FROM THE WHEEL ASSY. THIS HAPPENED ON THE TRUCK WHEN IT WAS LESS THAN 1 YEAR OLD AND HAD NOT BEEN EXPOSED TO SALT WATER/AIR. *AK