F150 Powerboost Axle bolt sheared off

[Atlee]

At this point I'm so glad I didn't spring for the MaxTow package. I didn't do so with my PB because some of the items in the MTP weren't applicable (PB's only come w/ 30.6 gallon tanks), or were already standard on PB's such as the 3.73 E Locker final drive ratio and 3 leaf rear spring package. Only the slightly larger rear brakes and the now infamous 3/4 floating rear axle were additions and I didn't want to pay almost another $1k for those 2 items.

Besides, it's not like I will tow, with any 1/2 ton truck, any trailer anywhere near the maximum loaded trailer weight of 11,000# with no MaxTow Pkg, let alone the maximum loaded trailer weight of 12,800# with the MaxTow Pkg.

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[Ford Motor Company]

So, I went to McLarty Daniel Ford in Fayetteville, AR today, and mentioned the 550+ posts on this thread (and the thread on the other forum http://bit.ly/3Tkluqa ) with similar sounding PowerBoosts with Max Tow package just like mine and asked them to check things out since mine is making similar noises. They heard the noise (like metal and rubber - check out my video https://youtu.be/9bMME5G18dk) right in the service drive and after inspecting the truck, checking "everything," and even driving it three miles and hearing the noise, they then said everything is fine and safe and sent me on way. I have to wonder if they even took off the wheels to look at the axle bolts, as the receipt also indicated they had given my truck a courtesy wash, which would have been nice, but it was just as dirty as when I dropped it off.

Needless to say, I'm going to be taking it to another dealer shortly. Nice people, but I have no confidence in their diagnosis.

Hello there! That doesn't sound like the kind of experience we want you to have with your F-150. If you send us a private message with your VIN and preferred dealership information, I'd be happy to look into your noise concern.

 

[bowling]

Hello there! That doesn't sound like the kind of experience we want you to have with your F-150. If you send us a private message with your VIN and preferred dealership information, I'd be happy to look into your noise concern.

FoMoCo rep, the participants in this thread have done plenty of looking into this, don't you think? Please come back to this forum with information about service program, TSBs, etc. Please tell us that Ford has identified the bad batch of bolts, or improper installation methods, etc. such that we have some peace of mind that we didn't waste nearly $2,000 on the max tow option. Thanks!

 

[Ntsi]

I would agree with the last! Seeing that I have had the issue with both rear axles, and I drive 100% highway mileage. In 60k miles, I have towed a trailer a total of maybe 80 miles. And that was a 1/2 loaded u-hall trailer just recently.

 

[Porpoise Hork]

As a hopeful preventative measure, I replaced both axle bolts on mine with the updated torque spec. So far 1K miles on them and all is going well.

FoMoCo rep, the participants in this thread have done plenty of looking into this, don't you think? Please come back to this forum with information about service program, TSBs, etc. Please tell us that Ford has identified the bad batch of bolts, or improper installation methods, etc. such that we have some peace of mind that we didn't waste nearly $2,000 on the max tow option. Thanks!

Would be nice if they actually would provide updates or actual useful information to MANY of the issues presented on here, but doubt that will ever happen.

 

[RossRR]

FoMoCo rep, the participants in this thread have done plenty of looking into this, don't you think? Please come back to this forum with information about service program, TSBs, etc. Please tell us that Ford has identified the bad batch of bolts, or improper installation methods, etc. such that we have some peace of mind that we didn't waste nearly $2,000 on the max tow option. Thanks!

No to mention the other forum thread with over 500 responses and a listing of 50 plus individual vehicles with at least one axle failure and up to three failures in some cases. You are going to have to IM them, though; I've never seen them respond when someone calls them out on a forum.

 

[bowling]

So, I went to McLarty Daniel Ford in Fayetteville, AR today, and mentioned the 550+ posts on this thread (and the thread on the other forum http://bit.ly/3Tkluqa ) with similar sounding PowerBoosts with Max Tow package just like mine and asked them to check things out since mine is making similar noises. They heard the noise (like metal and rubber - check out my video https://youtu.be/9bMME5G18dk) right in the service drive and after inspecting the truck, checking "everything," and even driving it three miles and hearing the noise, they then said everything is fine and safe and sent me on way. I have to wonder if they even took off the wheels to look at the axle bolts, as the receipt also indicated they had given my truck a courtesy wash, which would have been nice, but it was just as dirty as when I dropped it off.

Needless to say, I'm going to be taking it to another dealer shortly. Nice people, but I have no confidence in their diagnosis.

well, after towing my RV trailer another thousand miles or so, the noise went away. That's because the axle bolt finally gave up the ghost and the head popped off. Hats off to the folks at McLarty Daniel for their thorough work.

 

[notabot]

FWIW, I just put FoMoCo on ignore. Sure don't need to have to keep seeing the phony corp speak, knowing full well they won't/can't do JACK anyway.

As a hopeful preventative measure, I replaced both axle bolts on mine with the updated torque spec. So far 1K miles on them and all is going well.

Hey PH, is there a new bolt PN and what is the new torque spec?

 

[notabot]

@Porpoise Hork Is there a new bolt PN and what is the new torque spec?

 

[Porpoise Hork]

The part number for the bolt is ML3Z19S426A. The final torque ended up at 120 lbs/ft (52 lbs/ft +90 degree turn).


https://www.tascaparts.com/oem-parts/ford-bolt-and-washer-assembly-hex-head-ml3z19s426a

 

[notabot]

The part number for the bolt is ML3Z19S426A. The final torque ended up at 120 lbs/ft (52 lbs/ft +90 degree turn).


https://www.tascaparts.com/oem-parts/ford-bolt-and-washer-assembly-hex-head-ml3z19s426a

@Porpoise Hork --- Many and profuse thanks!

 

[Porpoise Hork]

Anytime!

Hopefully this will resolve it, but might not be a bad idea to have a couple spares lying around in case these still snap off. Maybe Ford will actually acknowledge the issue and issue a TSB on it that actually fixes it for good.

 

[notabot]

Maybe Ford will actually acknowledge the issue and issue a TSB on it that actually fixes it for good.

Haven't seen any of these yet!

 

[SuperRaptor]

The part number for the bolt is ML3Z19S426A. The final torque ended up at 120 lbs/ft (52 lbs/ft +90 degree turn).


https://www.tascaparts.com/oem-parts/ford-bolt-and-washer-assembly-hex-head-ml3z19s426a

Thank you,
ordering some to keep in the truck for road trips...

 

[Porpoise Hork]

Thank you,
ordering some to keep in the truck for road trips...

Anytime

Safe bet to also keep a bolt extractor set handy as well. You know, just in case.

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