Axle Bolt Sheared

[Sparkybrent]

Ford valet service picked up my 21 Lariat 2 weeks ago to do the wiper motor recall and hub bolt inspection while I was recuperating from back surgery. The inspection reported no problems, but I'm wondering if I could still have the issue come up later. Curious what they are looking for.

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[Snakebitten]

If the inspection reveals no broken bolt on either axle, the truck waits for the forthcoming TSB.

Or put another way, a parts order for replacement axles will be denied.
That's the way it reads anyway.

 

[RickDawgFL]

I just found mine broken in March. Ford had them replace both shafts and hubs. I got lucky because my dealer had them in stock. Best of luck with the wait.

Maybe I’ll get lucky. Cobraman428, in Florida like me, has been waiting three weeks. They gave me a brand new 2024 Bronco as a loaner, so at least I got a decent loaner. It’s not nearly as nice as my F-150, but can’t complain. Plus, fewer miles on my truck.

 

[Cobraman428]

Maybe I’ll get lucky. Cobraman428, in Florida like me, has been waiting three weeks. They gave me a brand new 2024 Bronco as a loaner, so at least I got a decent loaner. It’s not nearly as nice as my F-150, but can’t complain. Plus, fewer miles on my truck.

I'm on second loaner now, 2024 Escape Hybrid. Having a loaner is great and I'm happy to get a loaner, but I need my truck, I can't tow my camper with a loaner...

 

[RickDawgFL]

Unreal, something isn't right here. I'm going on 3+ weeks and you get yours done in one day...
Do you have the part numbers off your repair service paperwork? I'm curious what parts number your dealership is using.

Jerry,

Maybe it’s a regional thing. You and I are both in Florida. My guy should call me today or tomorrow and I’ll let you know what he says. If it’s a quick turnaround, then something is definitely off with your guys.

Rick

 

[Cobraman428]

The TSB clearly spells out the procedure and the part #'s for addressing the issue until a permanent alternative procedure is developed.

When I took mine in my "guys" failed to FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS ? and the original parts order was kicked back by Ford.
(They didn't include pictures of the broken bolt/axle)

Conjecture is Ford is trying to prohibit parts hogging by dealerships and is trying to ensure folks with actual broken bolts are being given priority access to supply.

I'm sure there's some explanation for your dealership having difficulty sourcing, but we don't know why.

I still think towing a truck in is a bit odd. Certainly not mentioned as necessary. And there's lots of examples of trucks being driven around with broken bolts.

They took a pic of the broken bolt and it was on the order I saw the order paperwork on their computer screen when I was there. I'm going to wait and hope it gets repaired soon. I have another camping trip first part of June.. I get pissed off when others say they get in/out in a few days...

 

[RickDawgFL]

I still think towing a truck in is a bit odd. Certainly not mentioned as necessary. And there's lots of examples of trucks being driven around with broken bolts.
[/QUOTE]

I told him I’d still drive it as long as he said it was safe to do so, but evidently that was not an option. Whether it was safety concern or just good customer service, I appreciated it either way.

 

[RickDawgFL]

Unreal, something isn't right here. I'm going on 3+ weeks and you get yours done in one day...
Do you have the part numbers off your repair service paperwork? I'm curious what parts number your dealership is using.

I just heard back from my service advisor. He stated the parts would be coming directly from the distributor, not Ford. He does not know when the parts will arrive, so I may be in the same boat as you. He also said the repair would satisfy the recall, which means it is not a temporary fix (it is the new "remedy"). He does not know yet if Ford is going to authorize fixing both sides, but probably not since only one side is broken. Once he did, he would reach out. Talk about flawed logic. It makes zero sense for Ford to not fix both sides since they already have my truck in the shop. I am just gonna have to bring it again later. It is what it is.

 

[Snakebitten]

First I've heard that replacing with current inventory IS the recall procedure.
I'm OK with that, of course, but it implies that something about these replacement parts or the torque settings have been altered compared to the OEM supplied parts?

 

[Cobraman428]

I just heard back from my service advisor. He stated the parts would be coming directly from the distributor, not Ford. He does not know when the parts will arrive, so I may be in the same boat as you. He also said the repair would satisfy the recall, which means it is not a temporary fix (it is the new "remedy"). He does not know yet if Ford is going to authorize fixing both sides, but probably not since only one side is broken. Once he did, he would reach out. Talk about flawed logic. It makes zero sense for Ford to not fix both sides since they already have my truck in the shop. I am just gonna have to bring it again later. It is what it is.

The plot thickens here guys.. New designed/upgraded permanent fixed parts or old tired gonna break again parts... Roll the dice.. Unreal FORD get your Shitt together and come up with a plan and tell your dealers. Keeping people's truck while you figure this crap is not the way to do things. I'm making truck payments and can't use my truck while it sit in the back lot of the dealership as the battery flat lines is not cool. BTW I'm getting two new batteries...ok I'm done.. Sorry went off there.....

 

[RickDawgFL]

First I've heard that replacing with current inventory IS the recall procedure.
I'm OK with that, of course, but it implies that something about these replacement parts or the torque settings have been altered compared to the OEM supplied parts?

That very well may be. I am anything but a mechanic, but that is not the impression I got from my service advisor. As long as they fix it properly I don't care if it is current inventory or newly designed parts. Ford certainly isn't very clear about this stuff (or their software updates, either...).

 

[Snakebitten]

This is one instance where Ford, the manufacturer, has been pretty clear (documentation) with the dealerships with precise instructions on what to do with a broken bolt F150.

The document has been posted here on the internet and the dealership showed me the same document when I took my truck in.

I don't have an explanation why someone else's truck would have a more difficult (confusing) or longer repair time.

But even in this thread the number of folks that had a similar experience to what I did outnumber those that didn't.

I've documented what I did with my truck immediately after the repair. I am far from convinced that the replacement parts are superior to what came on the truck. I have nothing but anecdotal evidence, but that oem bolt is nasty machining and the torque specification is more than what feeeeels right with the wrench in my hand.
I replaced the Ford bolt with a nicely machined bolt that matched the threads of the axle. And I stopped at ~84ftlbs when torquing them down.

I figured I have nothing to lose, to be honest.

 

[FORDTEXAS]

i hope this falls under the powertrain warranty.. my bumper to bumper warranty is on its last legs ?‍?‍

 

[UGADawg96]

Bring y'all's trucks to JAX, they get the parts same or next day around here fo the temp fix. Have had both sides done months apart and both were done within a day.

 

[Gros Ventre]

This is one instance where Ford, the manufacturer, has been pretty clear (documentation) with the dealerships with precise instructions on what to do with a broken bolt F150.

The document has been posted here on the internet and the dealership showed me the same document when I took my truck in.

I don't have an explanation why someone else's truck would have a more difficult (confusing) or longer repair time.

But even in this thread the number of folks that had a similar experience to what I did outnumber those that didn't.

I've documented what I did with my truck immediately after the repair. I am far from convinced that the replacement parts are superior to what came on the truck. I have nothing but anecdotal evidence, but that oem bolt is nasty machining and the torque specification is more than what feeeeels right with the wrench in my hand.
I replaced the Ford bolt with a nicely machined bolt that matched the threads of the axle. And I stopped at ~84ftlbs when torquing them down.

I figured I have nothing to lose, to be honest.

I discovered a torque spec on the head bolts on my 2006 Escape Hybrid. It is what is called torque to stretch. Yepper, you torque that bolt until you stretch it beyond its elastic limit. So I'm wondering if Ford somehow had some of those big-aaa assembly line wrenches set for that kind of spec... I doubt it would be a legitimate spec for an axle bolt... But........

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