NHTSA Safety Recall (23V-896) on 113,000 F-150 Trucks with Trailer Tow Max Duty Package

[Rineland]

I was more than a bit 'wrapped-around-the-axle' about this when the failure reports first started coming in.

Now I'm 'long-chilled-out' (thanks for talking me off the ledge, @Snakebitten), hardly think about it, haven't even checked my dealer on availability of the remedy since a few days after it was announced (at that time they wanted to hold my un-broken truck to even open a work order for the parts ).

I still haven't suffered a failure.

If I do, I'll be harassing the dealer for some action (without holding my truck).

Otherwise ....




But yeah, IMO, the lingering situation is pretty ludicrous at this point

I also got the @Snakebitten ”talk” and have chilled out on this. The data doesn’t support worrying about it. Started the process at the beginning of June (pictures etc.). I called in September to book an oil change and asked for an update on the axles and it was still an indefinite wait. Probably another 6 months before I need an oil change so they’ll either call me before then or I’ll ask for an update when I call to book the LOF.

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[Snakebitten]

I'm flattered.
But have you gents not seen my avatar?
I'm openly declaring that I shouldn't be taken seriously.

 

[Hans Moleman]

For those who are waiting for months and still waiting, I think if you leave your truck at the dealer with the work order open you get prioritized at getting parts.

My truck was sitting at the dealer for 7 weeks waiting until all of the axle recall parts came in. Fortunately the dealer set me up with a rental truck at no charge so I can’t complain.

 

[Buyer2021]

But have you gents not seen my avatar?
I'm openly declaring that I shouldn't be taken seriously.

But once-in-a-while, just like ole Clem Kadiddlehopper, you act the wise fool and let loose with some truism such as 'keep calm and carry on, a broken bolt does not mean instant disaster'.

That one struck me as on point / worth remembering.

Once-in-a-while seems to come pretty often, in any case often enough to keep us from discounting you completely, your 'declaration' notwithstanding.

BL, I've no worries that you'll let the occasional flattery go to your head, just take it as thanks for your forum contributions and carry on!

 

[Snakebitten]

You are one that makes this amazing collaboration of truck owners so enjoyable for me.
I would enjoy my truck without this forum. But not nearly as much.

 

[Davexxxx]

You are one that makes this amazing collaboration of truck owners so enjoyable for me.
I would enjoy my truck without this forum. But not nearly as much.

I credit you, Buyer and Hammerman et. el. for educating me enough to be able to confidently side step that problem all together.

PB with tow but not max tow, isn't really short much, except the problems.

 

[Snakebitten]

The Max Tow package on a Powerboost has been well documented to not be a very good economic investment since Ford equipped the Powerboost with many of the Max Tow components anyway. But if you wanted a Powerboost and it was equipped with Max Tow, that discernment wasn't yours to decide. Or like me, you knew that you weren't getting a lot more for the additional money, but you wanted EVERYTHING that had the word "tow" associated with it, you just erred on that side.

It is a bit ironic that the one component that ended up with a potential negative is one that you ONLY get if you $pony up the extra money.

Still, for the vast majority the issue hasn't even been more serious than an inconvenience or a source of "what if anxiety"

Eventually, supposedly, assuming Ford finally delivers the new parts, the whole issue will be historical and behind me. And everytime I rotate my tires I can grin at those nuts where there used to be a bolt.

 

[Hans Moleman]

I got my truck back today. Here are the parts they used:

1 ML3Z*4234*L SHAFT ASY - REAR AXLE

1 ML3Z*4234*K SHAFT ASY - REAR AXLE

4 *W718680*S439 BOLT - HEX. HEAD

I hope those are the correct parts. How do I take off the center cap to check without scratching the wheel? I don’t want to remove the wheels.

 

[Buyer2021]

1 ML3Z*4234*L SHAFT ASY - REAR AXLE

1 ML3Z*4234*K SHAFT ASY - REAR AXLE

4 *W718680*S439 BOLT - HEX. HEAD

I hope those are the correct parts.

Those are the PN's listed in the final remedy instructions to dealers, you're good.

Use a nylon trim-removal tool to pry-off the center cap without scratching if you want; just get it started and work your way around 'till it falls out, don't pry only at one point.

 

[Xman]

I got my truck back today. Here are the parts they used:

1 ML3Z*4234*L SHAFT ASY - REAR AXLE

1 ML3Z*4234*K SHAFT ASY - REAR AXLE

4 *W718680*S439 BOLT - HEX. HEAD

I hope those are the correct parts. How do I take off the center cap to check without scratching the wheel? I don’t want to remove the wheels.

I don't see any bearing listed? Hasn't bearing failure been an issue with the new configuration?

 

[Snakebitten]

I don't see any bearing listed? Hasn't bearing failure been an issue with the new configuration?

The only bearing is the wheel bearing in the hub. It's all included in the assembly

The repair is not and never has been to just replace the axle. If it was, the alloted time would need to be considerably more than the scant 30 minutes per side.

Just removing the axle from the pressed fit into the hub, as well as pressing the new axle into the old hub would add time/effort.

Since these axles do not have a c-clip in the rear differential, the whole hub/axle assembly just slides out of the axle tube and the new one slides right in.

 

[Hans Moleman]

Those are the PN's listed in the final remedy instructions to dealers, you're good.

Use a nylon trim-removal tool to pry-off the center cap without scratching if you want; just get it started and work your way around 'till it falls out, don't pry only at one point.

I pried off the center cap and can confirm I have the new style axles.

 

[Snakebitten]

Gives me the warm and fuzzies.

Someday.
The truck certainly isn't going anywhere.

 

[Handle]

Got an update on status from my dealer today since I entered the queue in June. After getting unprompted text updates several times on status the parts being available only for those dates to come an go the most recent one stated the parts are on indefinite back order

I reached out to Ford for the fun of it and we got on a 3 way with the dealer. Apparently, the total backlog in the Ford system is 73,000 units. At my particular dealer they have 86 units on backorder and they believe that 42 of those will be fulfilled by 11/21.

Im in no particular hurry like most as I dont have failure.

 

[Snakebitten]

Thanks for that update.

It's the first legitimate "data" we have had for some time.

42 of 86 is a near 50% fulfillment shipping estimate. Maybe the floodgate is finally fixing to get opened?

Logistics is so confusing sometimes. To wait and ship 42 of 86 implies that it's intentional to not make shipments at the pace of production and availability.

Definitely smacks of controlling co$t at the expense to the customer need

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