Axle Bolt Sheared

[Buyer2021]

Entering VIN on NHTSA or Ford website reveals a recent revision, the anticipated Final Remedy date has been pushed-out to 1st quarter 2025.



Previously it was 2nd quarter 2024, this is a disappointing update to say the very least. Not that I have much (any?) choice, but it's getting even more difficult to 'keep the faith'.

And yeah, now I'm really, REALLY curious about what's installed in trucks built after the recall affected vehicle dates with the "Max Tow Axle" option codes XL5 / XL7 (?).

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[UGADawg96]

Entering VIN on NHTSA or Ford website reveals a recent revision, the anticipated Final Remedy date has been pushed-out to 1st quarter 2025.



Previously it was 2nd quarter 2024, this is a disappointing update to say the very least. Not that I have much (any?) choice, but it's getting even more difficult to 'keep the faith'.

And yeah, now I'm really, REALLY curious about what's installed in trucks built after the recall affected vehicle dates with the "Max Tow Axle" option codes XL5 / XL7 (?).

 

[Cobraman428]

2nd Qtr 2025

 

[Buyer2021]

Attached FYI is the May 24, 2024 updated letter to dealers (previous was dated January 16, 2024) relating to this matter. This is the note seen in red text on page 1 about this latest update:

New! REASON FOR THIS SUPPLEMENT​

Parts Availability for final repair Update:​

• Parts for the final repair for this program will now be available 1st Quarter 2025.​

• Continue to repair affected F-150 vehicles identified in OASIS that are brought to your ​

dealership with a complaint of a loose or separated wheel end hub bolt.​

• Owners will be mailed the week of June 10, 2024 to provide updated timing on part ​

availability.​

• Technical instructions have been updated related to workshop manual updates.​

There are other specific updates in red text peppered throughout the attached document which includes the Technical Instructions. Based on my reading, the changes to the Technical Instructions relate to requiring a higher-level of Servicing Tech Certification to do the work, and more explicit procedures relating to handling the brakes which must be removed to replace the axles / hubs. Nothing really substantive has changed about the axles or hubs themselves.

And yeah, now I'm really, REALLY curious about what's installed in trucks built after the recall affected vehicle dates with the "Max Tow Axle" option codes XL5 / XL7 (?).

So, I paid $26 for a subscription to look at the Service Manual as of this date (5-28-2024) to review info on the axle information and 3/4 float axle for 2024 model year F150 specifically.

The Service Manual of course makes no reference to order option codes or part numbers, but FWIW it shows the 3/4-float axle as still applicable to model year 2024 and there's no substantive change to the axle / hub / bearing assemblies compared to the 2022 version of the same WSM sections I already have on CD ROM. Same for the 8.8 and 9.75" semi-floating axles.

Yes, even the bolt torques spec remains unchanged from what I previously had from 2022.

IOW, there's nothing at all indicating any meaningfully different-design axle assembly is available or installed in 2024 F150s compared to previous year Gen 14.

 

[UGADawg96]

Seems like a punt while they still try to figure out a solution.

 

[dbtgt]

Attached FYI is the May 24, 2024 updated letter to dealers (previous was dated January 16, 2024) relating to this matter. This is the note seen in red text on page 1 about this latest update:

New! REASON FOR THIS SUPPLEMENT​

Parts Availability for final repair Update:​

• Parts for the final repair for this program will now be available 1st Quarter 2025.​

• Continue to repair affected F-150 vehicles identified in OASIS that are brought to your ​

dealership with a complaint of a loose or separated wheel end hub bolt.​

• Owners will be mailed the week of June 10, 2024 to provide updated timing on part ​

availability.​

• Technical instructions have been updated related to workshop manual updates.​

There are other specific updates in red text peppered throughout the attached document which includes the Technical Instructions. Based on my reading, the changes to the Technical Instructions relate to requiring a higher-level of Servicing Tech Certification to do the work, and more explicit procedures relating to handling the brakes which must be removed to replace the axles / hubs. Nothing really substantive has changed about the axles or hubs themselves.


So, I paid $26 for a subscription to look at the Service Manual as of this date (5-28-2024) to review info on the axle information and 3/4 float axle for 2024 model year F150 specifically.

The Service Manual of course makes no reference to order option codes or part numbers, but FWIW it shows the 3/4-float axle as still applicable to model year 2024 and there's no substantive change to the axle / hub / bearing assemblies compared to the 2022 version of the same WSM sections I already have on CD ROM. Same for the 8.8 and 9.75" semi-floating axles.

Yes, even the bolt torques spec remains unchanged from what I previously had from 2022.

IOW, there's nothing at all indicating any meaningfully different-design axle assembly is available or installed in 2024 F150s compared to previous year Gen 14.

I can't wait to find out what the fix really consists of. It could be as simple as a better quality and strength axle bolt similar to @Snakebitten's solution...

 

[Chris GTO TT]

That makes little sense. How could the trucks built after Dec 25, 2022 not have anything different but also not be part of the recall. My truck was built a full year after the newest recalled truck.

 

[Snakebitten]

How do we know that they don't have anything different? That nothing was changed?

We still can't state anything short of speculation what is the cause of the bolt to shear and/or the splines to become less than press-tight.

I do find it interesting that the frequency and volume has drastically reduced.

 

[Buyer2021]

hat makes little sense. How could the trucks built after Dec 25, 2022 not have anything different but also not be part of the recall. My truck was built a full year after the newest recalled truck.

Please note that nothing in my review of the WSM or my related statements suggested that 'nothing has changed'; only that there is no indication of a "meaningfully different design" (which is one of the remedies some folks speculated would be required).

How do we know that they don't have anything different? That nothing was changed?

I agree that we don't know either of those things., and I, too, am encouraged by the trend of reduced failure reports for later production vehicles.

As I'm sure you recognize, there are many things that could have changed which would not be reflected in a Workshop Manual Service Procedure (e.g. materials specs, component dimensions, spline count / configuration, etc, etc, etc), all within the same basic design-envelope of previous years.

And yeah, I suppose some of those changes might not lend readily to retrofit on prior year vehicles, especially at a cost tenable for Ford. IMO it's possible that the remedial-solution for 'old' vehicles may be different from the production-solution for 'new' vehicles, and that's the reason for the protracted remedial implementation. Yep, all just speculation, desperately trying to 'keep the faith'.

 

[Chris GTO TT]

I get that reviewing the WSM isn’t an end all confirmation. Sometimes revisions don’t make it into the first ‘edition’ even for new model years. As mentioned though something had to have changed in order for vehicles built after 12/25/2022 to be excluded. Ford would have had to have shown NHSTA something was different starting on that date to be able to exclude them from the recall. Also as mentioned the axle bolt failures seem to be much lower on 1/23+ built trucks than on earlier, so again it points to there being a change.

 

[rockfish]

I got my truck back and they did both sides and used the same parts as the others showed above. They ordered the parts and got them overnight and my truck was ready that same day. There is a note on the invoice saying "24377 axle recall completed" and the service advisor said he understood that the recall is completed and nothing further is needed. Based on what others have said that doesn't seem correct.

 

[RickDawgFL]

I got my truck back and they used the same parts as the others showed above. They ordered the parts and got them overnight and my truck was ready that same day. There is a note on the invoice saying "24377 axle recall completed" and the service advisor said he understood that the recall is completed and nothing further is needed. Based on what others have said that doesn't seem correct.

The same thing I was told. However, the recall on Ford’s site shows it as still active with a remedy now expected in 2025, as someone else mentioned.

 

[redline]

When my truck went in they said I already had the updated part and nothing more needed to be done …

 

[cleanbiker]

It's June of 2024 and I just got a notification from Ford that the "fix" for the axle hub bolt problem has been pushed ahead for the FIRST QUARTER OF NEXT YEAR (2025). (!) I don't feel comfortable pulling my 11,000 pound travel trailer here in Colorado (mountains) with this issue still unresolved. I guess I can kiss all my planned/scheduled camping plans goodbye for this year. Thanks, Ford.
Having to wait over a year for a fix is totally unacceptable, but I can't afford to sell or trade the truck in for a different one which may or may not have a similar problem! Ugh, I am extremely bummed out and disappointed with the Ford Motor Company. I will probably never consider buying another Ford ever again.
Are you listening Ford upper management??
JD in Colorado

 

[Snakebitten]

So it's not the 11,000 lbs that makes you uncomfortable? ??

Sorry, couldn't resist.

I'm assuming you have some miles on the truck, but no bolt has yet sheared?
So if you think you might feel a little more confident with brand new bolts, just swap them out. They aren't expensive and you would at least be starting back at mile zero with fresh bolts.

If you shear one removing it, you'll get fresh axles/hubs/bolts for a real mile zero.

The 11,000 load behind the truck isn't carried by that bolt. It's the axle itself that either is or isn't rated to pull that load.

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