The control arms are a similar noise issue that can be mistaken for cam phaser or exhaust leak

 

the driveshafts are not maintainable..you are not supposed to be able to change ujoints when they go bad. its rumored that this was changed and the newer 11th gens got inproved shafts. my 05 is not one.

the arms are crap, to many people have had them go out in the 40-60k mile range, not acceptable imo. also they are a one piece unit, you need to do to much work to replace one and the cost is high due to the fact you need the whole arm to remove/replace a ball joint.

 

It's easy enough to check. Lower the spare tire, unhook the harness, and remove the 2 bolts. I think its an 8 mm socket. Inspect the back of it. Doing this will also inspect your spare tire lock and cable mechanism. You don't want to find out its seized on the side of the road, in the rain, with a flat tire. Also if your spare is mounted with the valve stem up, flip it around so you can check tire pressure often.

 

These newer trucks don't have a return line for the fuel system so the fuel pump is variable speed. The more you mash the gas pedal, the faster the pump pumps. This module is the speed controler.

 

What would I look for when I inspect it to know of I need a new one or not?

 

The aluminium body will be corroded. Mine actually crumbled like a cookie when I removed the bolts. There is a circuit board inside. As soon as water gets in, its junk.

 

Alright thanks!

 

I'd love to get that much out of the front end pieces. Running joke with the guy I take the truck to is that it's time for the 30K mile front end rebuild.

Add to that list the axles, which are butter, IWE solenoid, axle bearings, craptastic factory brakes, steering shaft issues, and you have a very irritating experience on a $30K truck which is theoretically the flagship model in Ford's lineup.

The warranty coverage from FoMoCo is also pathetic. It shouldn't be a dealer to dealer crapshoot on what they're going to cover.

There's a reason the replacement for our Taurus is a dodge.

 

Actually it can take a few soakings but will either run like crap for a while or die till it dries out. Mine died when in the car wash, the under body spray soaked it, the next day after it dried out it fired up again.

if you take it off to inspect the back and its not bad,put some rubber grommets on the bolts to act as spacers so it wont develope the corosion.

 

Ladies, ladies! You bought a truck. Not a Power Wheels Jeep. It requires maintenance and repair. Nothing made on this earth can take road salt, water, snow, mud, pressure washing, high mileage, etc. without some elbow grease. It wouldn't be the best selling truck for over 10 years if it was a POS. I have a 04 XLT 5.4 4x4 with 82,000 and have had all these issues. I simply take care of it and it takes care of me.