NHTSA Complaint #770334 — 2002 FORD F-150

VERY SERIOUS FAILURE!!! WHILE BACKING UP A STEEP HILL IN 4WD. THE TRUCK'S PITMAN ARM CAME COMPLETELY OFF OF THE SPLINED SHAFT THAT COMES OUT OF THE STEERING BOX. SO, THERE WAS NO LONGER ANY CONNECTION BETWEEN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE FRONT WHEELS. THE RETAINING NUT AND LOCK WASHER CAME OFF, TOO, AND WERE RECOVERED. THE LOCK WASHER IS OF THE HELICAL SPRING TYPE, AND HAS A BLACK OXIDE FINISH. BECAUSE OF THIS FINISH, IT IS EASY TO DEDUCE FROM THE WEAR MARKS ON THE WASHER. THAT THE RETAINING NUT WAS NOT TORQUED AT THE FACTORY. LUCKILY THIS FAILURE OCCURRED AT ALMOST ZERO SPEED IN A DRIVEWAY. CLEARLY, HAD IT OCCURRED AT FREEWAY SPEED (WHICH IS WHERE THE TRUCK WOULD HAVE BEEN 2 MILES LATER), THE RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. THE OWNER OF THIS CAR, WOODY PORTER, IS MY FATHER-IN-LAW. I WAS DRIVING IT AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE, AND FILLED OUT THIS FORM FOR HIM WITH HIS PERMISSION. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, YOU MY CONTACT ME, JOHN GUNTHER, AT 650-802-8384. THANKS. DT