F150 Powerboost Axle bolt sheared off

[bowling]

Do you know explicitly (without any assumption) if they are replacing only the bare axle shaft or are they replacing the axle assembly of axle shaft+hub with bearing? I ask in part because on Ford Parts the only 'public' PN listing I find is for the axle shaft+hub with bearing assembly.

just the axle. he said the hub looked fine. i sure hope he’s right.

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[bowling]

That's amazing that they were up front with a straight face when they told you that their convenience overrides your convenience.

There was a time that a professional mechanic would at least attempt to remove the broken bolt on the principle that it's both a waste of a good axle and the customers time (days/weeks) to order the whole assembly.

Those mechanics, I guess, are long retired old men?

pride and principle left town a long ways back.

 

[Pedaldude]

...said that they're replacing the axle because it takes less shop time for the repair.

This could also be code for: “we tried using a broken bolt extractor and buggered the part.”

Alternatively; it could just mean that they have resigned themselves to the fact that a center punch, reverse drill bit and broken bolt extractor when used in this situation don’t even work half the time.

You also don’t want them to fix one problem (the broken bolt) but then have the axle shaft fail 10K miles after the warranty expires because the mechanic clamped the bare axle in a bench vise and created stress risers.

There was a time...

Those mechanics, I guess, are long retired old men?

Throwing parts at a problem has been a dealership thing for decades. Many of the good mechanics that can actually fix things get replaced with parts changers in the dealership service model and move on to independent shops. They leave because of changing management, poor pay or just boredom. The benefits that would keep experienced technicians at a dealership are either nonexistent or so watered down that it doesn’t take much for them to up and quit.

 

[bowling]

This could also be code for: “we tried using a broken bolt extractor and buggered the part.”

Alternatively; it could just mean that they have resigned themselves to the fact that a center punch, reverse drill bit and broken bolt extractor when used in this situation don’t even work half the time.

You also don’t want them to fix one problem (the broken bolt) but then have the axle shaft fail 10K miles after the warranty expires because the mechanic clamped the bare axle in a bench vise and created stress risers.



Throwing parts at a problem has been a dealership thing for decades. Many of the good mechanics that can actually fix things get replaced with parts changers in the dealership service model and move on to independent shops. They leave because of changing management, poor pay or just boredom. The benefits that would keep experienced technicians at a dealership are either nonexistent or so watered down that it doesn’t take much for them to up and quit.

good points!

 

[notabot]

This could also be code for: “we tried using a broken bolt extractor and buggered the part.”

Alternatively; it could just mean that they have resigned themselves to the fact that a center punch, reverse drill bit and broken bolt extractor when used in this situation don’t even work half the time.

The bolt has red loctite on it. If not heated up enough, it will probably break extractors/rev drill bits.

 

[AndrewMC]

Worth mentioning: Ford may be having these guys jump right to axle swapping now since it seems that almost always when they do get the bolt out and replace it, it breaks again. Seen that several other times on this thread and it happened to me also. I'm on a new axle now and fingers crossed no screeching or other weirdness going on.

 

[Nano150]

Has this problem been rectified for vehicles that have not been built yet? Do we know that a 2023 truck with max towing package will have the same defective bolt installed or will they get ahead of this issue for new builds?

 

[UGADawg96]

Checked passenger side this morning and it is still tight.

 

[diambo4life]

How is there not a recall for this? That's nuts!!!!!

 

[bowling]

Has this problem been rectified for vehicles that have not been built yet? Do we know that a 2023 truck with max towing package will have the same defective bolt installed or will they get ahead of this issue for new builds?

Ford has been silent on this topic. The axle and bolt appear to have the same part# as ever, so the only possible change is installation torque at the factory. But that too is unknown.

 

[UGADawg96]

Called dealer and they said they can't do anything without truck at dealership for inspection. Refused to video chat or accept pictures via email for "inspection". Even if towed there today, it could be weeks before they can inspect it.

Reported issue to NHTSA.

 

[Pedaldude]

...they said they can't do anything without truck at dealership for inspection. Refused to video chat or accept pictures...

That’s so that they can get you on the hook and keep sandbagging/gaslighting.

Widen the search for other dealerships with employees who have a set and not pussyfooting peter-principal pencil pushers.

Find a dealership that has an on site body shop. They will be equipped to remove the stuck bolt without even taking the wheel off.

Good luck!

 

[UGADawg96]

That’s so that they can get you on the hook and keep sandbagging/gaslighting.

Widen the search for other dealerships with employees who have a set and not pussyfooting peter-principal pencil pushers.

Find a dealership that has an on site body shop. They will be equipped to remove the stuck bolt without even taking the wheel off.

Good luck!

This is the best dealer in the area. The other three are jokers.

 

[unafFORDableXLT]

I have a 12/2021 built XLT SCREW w/MAX tow and 3.55 gears. No problem (yet?)
I’ve seen a lot of mention regarding 3.73 gears, but I would think the broken bolt doesn’t care what ratio the axle is attached to. Or does the 3.55 actually have a different set-up?

 

[Buyer2021]

I have a 12/2021 built XLT SCREW w/MAX tow and 3.55 gears. No problem (yet?)
I’ve seen a lot of mention regarding 3.73 gears, but I would think the broken bolt doesn’t care what ratio the axle is attached to. Or does the 3.55 actually have a different set-up?

Just a coincidence of the mentions you've seen. If you have one of the two MAX tow combinations that yields the 3.55:1 ratio

3.55 Electronic-locking rear axle if ordered with: – 3.5L EcoBoost Engine without Heavy-Duty Payload Package – 3.5L PowerBoost Full Hybrid V6 Engine with 4x2

then you have the same axle and potential vulnerability as those with MAX tow 3.73:1

3.73 Electronic-locking differential if ordered with: – 5.0L V8 Engine – 3.5L EcoBoost with Heavy-Duty Payload Package – 3.5L PowerBoost Full Hybrid V6 Engine with 4x4

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