Rear axle bolt failure...AGAIN!!

[Gros Ventre]

That's a 10.9 bolt. That's pretty hard. Check that that's what Ford specified first. Then see if you can get one independently from Ford and have it installed (this to sidestep the "bad batch" syndrome). Most NAPA stores carry such bolts. You may find that Ford specified something like a 10.8 bolt which would have a bit more ductility (less likely to crack).

When I said "independently from Ford" I intended to convey that you would not obtain it from Ford, but from another source such as NAPA.

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[JacobH]

I was told by the dealership that they can get the bold but the axle assembly is on back order. They said they can replace the bolt but I’m not paying another $445.05 for a single bolt replacement just to not get reimbursed again. I really don’t want this to be a yearly thing……

 

[Gros Ventre]

I was told by the dealership that they can get the bold but the axle assembly is on back order. They said they can replace the bolt but I’m not paying another $445.05 for a single bolt replacement just to not get reimbursed again. I really don’t want this to be a yearly thing……

Roger on not making it a yearly thing. It's not clear to me that the entire axle assembly is the problem. But Ford needs to figure that out. You might see if you can obtain a correctly spec'd bolt (not from Ford) and have a local garage install it. Your pictures seem to show it as not too difficult and probably <$445. Getting the broken portion of the bolt out should be uncomplicated with a drill & an easy-out tool. My take on a whole new axle is if they use the same batch of bolts in it... you're headed for the same thing all over again (As in deja-vu all over again...)... But in the end Ford needs to make good on things, so keep on them...

 

[UGADawg96]

I was told by the dealership that they can get the bold but the axle assembly is on back order. They said they can replace the bolt but I’m not paying another $445.05 for a single bolt replacement just to not get reimbursed again. I really don’t want this to be a yearly thing……

Why are you paying for this under warranty item ?

 

[JacobH]

Roger on not making it a yearly thing. It's not clear to me that the entire axle assembly is the problem. But Ford needs to figure that out. You might see if you can obtain a correctly spec'd bolt (not from Ford) and have a local garage install it. Your pictures seem to show it as not too difficult and probably <$445. Getting the broken portion of the bolt out should be uncomplicated with a drill & an easy-out tool. My take on a whole new axle is if they use the same batch of bolts in it... you're headed for the same thing all over again (As in deja-vu all over again...)... But in the end Ford needs to make good on things, so keep on them...

I’m going to call ford today and see what they say, I haven’t talked to them about the refund in a few months and while I’m at it I might mention that I have the same problem and see if they can do something for me. I don’t imagine anything will come of the call but I’m going to start calling frequently until I get it back.

 

[JacobH]

Why are you paying for this under warranty item ?

According to what I was told last year, I have to pay for it because it’s a “temporary fix” and not an actual fix for the problem. Apparently a temporary fix is not covered under warranty, something about not fixing the problem and not allowed to fix and unbroken or damaged part. That being said when I did get it home both axle bolts had broken instead of just the one. I’ll see what they say today but it shouldn’t be coming out of my pocket if they engineered a faulty design/ “consumable”. It’s also entirely possible that price was dictated by the dealership I was at which was an out of state dealer as I was stranded multiple hours from home at the time and needed a rush job.

 

[UGADawg96]

According to what I was told last year, I have to pay for it because it’s a “temporary fix” and not an actual fix for the problem. Apparently a temporary fix is not covered under warranty, something about not fixing the problem and not allowed to fix and unbroken or damaged part. That being said when I did get it home both axle bolts had broken instead of just the one. I’ll see what they say today but it shouldn’t be coming out of my pocket if they engineered a faulty design/ “consumable”. It’s also entirely possible that price was dictated by the dealership I was at which was an out of state dealer as I was stranded multiple hours from home at the time and needed a rush job.

That is complete BS bro. Find a new dealer or get on the phone with the GM.

 

[Pedaldude]

Axle bolts aren’t windshield wipers; that stealership disservice manager is an even bigger scumbag than most.

Even though Ford knows that this is a problem, they’re keeping the reason behind it under their hat but so far everyone has had this problem remedied under warranty. Even if it’s needed multiple times.

Contact a dealership not run by jerkoffs and also Ford and get them to cover the cost of the first repair and hopefully spank the first dealership that was completely out of line in charging for a warranty item.

Good luck!

 

[Atlee]

According to what I was told last year, I have to pay for it because it’s a “temporary fix” and not an actual fix for the problem. Apparently a temporary fix is not covered under warranty, something about not fixing the problem and not allowed to fix and unbroken or damaged part. That being said when I did get it home both axle bolts had broken instead of just the one. I’ll see what they say today but it shouldn’t be coming out of my pocket if they engineered a faulty design/ “consumable”. It’s also entirely possible that price was dictated by the dealership I was at which was an out of state dealer as I was stranded multiple hours from home at the time and needed a rush job.

That is a Bull Sh*** answer. You have a dealer does a great job living down to the title "stealership".

You should raise hell until you get your money back.

 

[JacobH]

It should also be clarified that the dealership that told me this was the dealership out of state and not my home one. The one in my town has treaded me fairly so far and did replace both axle shafts and bolts under warranty last year. I’ll be talking more with my dealer soon about the fix this time around as I did not get to talk to them much about it at this time.

For now I am assuming the replacement of the bolt will be out of pocket (unless told otherwise) if that is the option I have to take. The call with my dealer yesterday was more me telling them I will not be paying for the bolt replacement and would not let my truck be stuck on the lot for a month or more unless I am given a loaner.

The guy on the phone was not the service manager so I was not given any indication that this dealer would be charging me or not. I’m sure I will learn more in the coming days.

Also note that my dealer did provide a loaner truck for the 3 weeks my truck was down last year.

 

[UGADawg96]

For now I am assuming the replacement of the bolt will be out of pocket (unless told otherwise) if that is the option I have to take.

No, assume they will fix it under warranty. Dude, come on.

 

[JacobH]

Called ford to talk about my reimbursement from last year, they opened a new case and I was told it would take 5-7 days for it to be approved or denied. At that time I would be told why it was denied and we would try to find another way to cover the previous cost or that it was approved and to watch for a check.

I also asked about the new service and if it would be covered under warranty (as it clearly should be). I was told that from what they can see in the powertrain warranty statement it should be since it clearly states axles and bearings, etc but ultimately they “have to do what the dealer says” and if it does come out of pocket then to call them (ford rep) and we would start another case to get reimbursed.

 

[JJSnell]

....powertrain warranty statement it should be since it clearly states axles and bearings, etc but ultimately they “have to do what the dealer says”

So wait... Ford dealership is dictating what is a factory Ford warranty?

 

[WhiteLightningnshitshadow]

Why don't we know what dealership this is?

Again, two occurrences in the same truck and multiple users reporting this means design issue. I really don't see any way this is a batch issue. It's literally hundreds of people with this issue across multiple model years.

 

[bcb97]

Called ford to talk about my reimbursement from last year, they opened a new case and I was told it would take 5-7 days for it to be approved or denied. At that time I would be told why it was denied and we would try to find another way to cover the previous cost or that it was approved and to watch for a check.

I also asked about the new service and if it would be covered under warranty (as it clearly should be). I was told that from what they can see in the powertrain warranty statement it should be since it clearly states axles and bearings, etc but ultimately they “have to do what the dealer says” and if it does come out of pocket then to call them (ford rep) and we would start another case to get reimbursed.

Last year there wasn't a TSB, present day there is one. If your truck's build date is within that TSB build date range, Ford cannot say that they will not cover it. Warranty should cover it as well.

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