Axle Recalls

[Badger]

Saw a recall note on 03 and up "fleet" type CV and TCs. Does anyone know if there have been any axle failures on MMs? Did a search but found more information on driveshafts then axle breakage.

[RoyLPita]

We've had some members have the axle shafts replaced. Where I work, we had a Sheriff's car came in where the right bearing disentegrated and the shaft started eating up the axle housing.

Just my .02 and then some.

[Mongoose]

When DR pulled my axles to change the gears, the bearings came out in pieces. Axles were grooved and had to be replaced. I had to bite the bullet since my MM was out of warranty. I'd advise all MM owners to get their's checked before their warranty runs out and if you do a search, I think there's a thread (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=6183&highlight=tsb+axle+failure) about a TSB having been issued by Ford regarding this issue (axle failures).

[EbonyMarauder03]

This new recall is based on VIN numbers. The service dept. will check to see if the VIN number is one of the ones Ford thinks is bad. Badge is right on the fact that it is being aimed at fleet vehicles too. Kinda sad that the only way yours will get noticed is when it's on the hook because your axle shaft walked out on you.

[Fourth Horseman]

Had mine replaced at the same time I had my 4:10 gears put in. Mine were bad and working over the axles. Since then I've had an annoying little bearing tick noise from the right rear of the car. Today I've got it into the dealer that did the repair to see what's going on.

[warren]

Saw a recall note on 03 and up "fleet" type CV and TCs. Does anyone know if there have been any axle failures on MMs? Did a search but found more information on driveshafts then axle breakage.
Yes it happened to me last month. They have ways to listen to your rear
end to tell. Glad I caught it before 36K.

See thread http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=10463&page=2&pp=15&highlight=axle

Good Luck,

WarrenB:rock:

[frdwrnch]

Heads up guys, These recall kits are reasonably priced when compared to buying the pieces individually. It consists of two axles, two bearings, seals,axle grease, and friction modifier. Trust me when I say that when the recall expires these kits will likely double in price. They are cheap now so it cost them less to perform the recall. This is a similar situation to the 4.6L 2v intake manifolds that were recalled for the 96-97 model CV's. They were about $240 my cost during the recall and now they are about $500. I recommend some of you guys that drag race alot invest in a kit.

[Badger]

Does the recall kit actually solve the problems? If not can we expect to perform this "maintenance" ever 30k or so?

[Wags]

What I don't understand, is that if it is truly a "recall", then why would it matter if it is under warranty still. or not? A recall is a recall. I'm well out of warranty, and if this comes up on mine (I brought it up to them months ago, so it should be in their records), they had better replace them under the recall. I have one of the very early build cars (have had it over two years now), and I have expressed concern over this over a year ago to them. They always claimed that they haven't heard anything about it. They looked fine when I did the gears (about 18 months ago), but I have not looked since.

Wags

[Ross]

I'm with Wags. If this is a true recall, especially for a potential safety issue, then it shouldn't matter whether the car is in warranty or not. Do we know whether any dealers are addressing this with MM's as a recall? Is there a recall number to reference?

[Badger]

I saw this also posted here:

http://www.blueovalnews.com/2004/recalls/crownvic.04s16.axle.070704.htm

and of course here:

http://www.crownvic.net/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB23&Number=657483&Forum=CatSearch-3&Words=axle&Match=Entire%20Phrase&Searchpage=0&Limit=25&Old=1month&Main=647989&Search=true#Post657483

[frdwrnch]

It is only a recall on Police Crown vics and Limosines as they are subject to heavier use. I think that some axles did not recieve the proper hardening. The new kit contains axles of known good quality. I also wish our cars were covered. It would give me peace of mind that I wouldn't have to worry about this issue. This is one reason I am opting for extended warranty.

[gonzo50]

If this is a true recall, especially for a potential safety issue, then it shouldn't matter whether the car is in warranty or not. Do we know whether any dealers are addressing this with MM's as a recall? Is there a recall number to reference?
I was told by my Dealership's Service Mgr. that this recall "does not" cover the Marauder and if it wasn't making any noises like grinding, then not to worry.

There is a TSB (there is a thread on this ) on our rear ends.
Most FORD Dealers are very aware.
This talented Dealer, Walnut Creek Ford (lg.est Cobra & CV law enforcemant dealer in Calif.) was quick to test it this afternoon and yes new rear Axles & Bearings are on the way.
Also they said it happens often to CHP and Police cars.

They ordered a kit to fix it.
Detail reads---28887 SSM 03-5-5 on Oasis covers rear axle bearings and axle prematuer wear.
The TSB might be on our rear ends but not the ones on the Marauder, quote from my Service Rep. "Only Police cruisers, Severe duty".
They would not even consider to take a look at it unless it was making some sort of noise.

It is only a recall on Police Crown vics and Limosines as they are subject to heavier use. I think that some axles did not recieve the proper hardening. The new kit contains axles of known good quality. I also wish our cars were covered. It would give me peace of mind that I wouldn't have to worry about this issue. This is one reason I am opting for extended warranty.
Why isn't our Marauder's covered, are they waiting for a global catastrophe or what ?

[Donny Carlson]

FWIW, Scott replaced both axles under warrantee when he installed my 4:10's.

It helps when you have your work done at a performance-friendly Ford dealer. Not only were the axles and bearing replaced, but the fluids (60$ worth) were also covered under warrantee, which I would have had to pay for out of pocket had it just been a gear change.

[gonzo50]

FWIW, Scott replaced both axles under warrantee when he installed my 4:10's.

It helps when you have your work done at a performance-friendly Ford dealer. Not only were the axles and bearing replaced, but the fluids (60$ worth) were also covered under warrantee, which I would have had to pay for out of pocket had it just been a gear change.
Team Ford in Atlanta is the place to go, I guess. :up:
I'm going to get my 4:10's installed before my warranty runs out, that way if the axle's and bearing's are bad then it will be covered under warranty, I'll possibly get it done at Team Ford or at Dennis in Florida.

[Frank Androski]

Saw a recall note on 03 and up "fleet" type CV and TCs. Does anyone know if there have been any axle failures on MMs? Did a search but found more information on driveshafts then axle breakage.Had D.R. install 4/10s last week ,had to replace both axle shafts, visible scoring on shafts, car has 12600 on in two yrs, A model 06-2002. had other mods, stat , tuner, denso plugs and sway bar.the last being the best mod.
hope to get ford to pay for the axles????

[TAF]

Team Ford in Atlanta is the place to go, I guess. :up:
I'm going to get my 4:10's installed before my warranty runs out, that way if the axle's and bearing's are bad then it will be covered under warranty, I'll possibly get it done at Team Ford or at Dennis in Florida.
Carlos...I happen to know that one of the replacement kits is sitting there right now...don't ask me how I know...but, I know.

They've handled about a dozen or so replacements now...and all had leaks/problems from the early '03 models.

[Marauderman]

Is there a way to determine if your MM is experiencing a problem other than a "squeeking" sound......hummm...and secondly, if it fails, WTF is one expected to expect to happen...GFB!!...Tom

[Fourth Horseman]

Is there a way to determine if your MM is experiencing a problem other than a "squeeking" sound......hummm...and secondly, if it fails, WTF is one expected to expect to happen...GFB!!...Tom

I wouldn't count on hearing anything until it's too late, honestly. When I had my 4.10 gears put in I had the dealership check the axles based on the TSB, and sure enough mine were scored. I never heard a thing from them, either. This was with about 12,000 miles after two years.

[WolfeBros]

You can generally hear a bad axle bearing whine at speed. (now some may never make a sound but in my experience they do)
Mine started whining between 60-65 MPH. You could make it come and go by playing with the throttle. I took the MM in for several warranty items and had them check the axles because of this whine. They replaced both. FWIW

[vegasmarauder]

The MM is covered by the axle "recall". Stock 300A (June '02 build) with 20K on it started getting a faint whine that increased in pitch in sync with vehicle speed. When loading one side (right) on a freeway curve it got noticable louder. After about 2 weeks it got so loud you could not hear normal conversation at 60MPH. Went in the dealer and was replaced under warranty, no muss, no fuss. If you have a bad one you will definately know it. This car is not driven hard (Ok, that's what she tells me), so I don't think it is that dependant on hard use. The axles were not properly hardened from the vendor to Ford and fail. There is no way to tell which cars got the bad axles as they were intermixed into all the Panters. If you think it is noisy, ask the dealer to check it, but they won't take it apart unless they get noise from it.

[frdwrnch]

No, the Marauder is not covered under the recall. Yours was repaired because you are still under base warranty as are all that are within 3 years or 36k miles.

[gonzo50]

The MM is covered by the axle "recall". When loading one side (right) on a freeway curve it got noticable louder. After about 2 weeks it got so loud you could not hear normal conversation at 60MPH. Went in the dealer and was replaced under warranty, no muss, no fuss. If you have a bad one you will definately know it. The axles were not properly hardened from the vendor to Ford and fail. If you think it is noisy, ask the dealer to check it, but they won't take it apart unless they get noise from it.
The Marauder "is not" covered by this recall, what you had done was "warranty" work.

A recall states that if you have a specific vehicle that the repair needs to be done than it should be done regardless if there is noise or not.

I shouldn't have to ask the Dealer to check it out, if it's a "recall", then they should fix it no matter what, no questions asked, whether it's still good or not, "Period" :beer:

[RoyLPita]

No, the Marauder is not covered under the recall. Yours was repaired because you are still under base warranty as are all that are within 3 years or 36k miles.


However, If your MM has a Ford extended policy, the TSB will apply there, too plus a deductible, if any.

Just my .02 and then some.....