More info on axles

[Mad4Macs]

I saw that there were some concerns over our axles on the boards.
Well, the Gov't is interested too. Is it just me, or does it seem like "open season" on Panthers?

http://www.detnews.com/2004/autosinsider/0401/27/b01-47093.htm

[RCSignals]

The axle issue has nothing to do with fires. Interesting they bring up fires in the article

[Mad4Macs]

The axle issue has nothing to do with fires. Interesting they bring up fires in the article

Yes, that was my 1st impression of the article. I am glad that other readers are picking up on it as well. The Detroit News has had some kind of bone to pick with FoMoCo for a while now, and they are bordering on what I see as "less than professional" reporting.
A recent letter by a Ford spokeperson spanked the Detroit news for this, but the Detroit News is determined to get their digs in where ever they can...

[greyghost]

We get that in Atlanta also on a variety of issues. It seems anyone in the press that has a personal axe to grind is off the leash to attack whom ever they want with no facts or rational thinking. I wonder how far it is going to go.

[Haggis]

I believe it was me who questioned our axles on another Thread. I was concerened about the strenght of the rear axles, seening as how some of us are adding the 8.8 rear differential girdle and stud kit to the car. My qestion was do we need to put in different gears (aka, Eaton, Auburn...etc.) and not just a girdle and stud kit? Some of the S/C marauders are putting out well over 400rwhp and would stronger gears help? I believe that question was answered by Mac, but if anyone else has an opinion please speak up.

Mad4Macs, thanks for the info I am sure all of us are concerened when somebody prints something about our cars whether it be good or bad. I agree with RC what does the axle have to do with fires? At least the article does state that the "NHTSA closed an investigation into the gas tank design in October 2002, saying the vehicle met federal safety standards and the overall risk in fire-related crashes was similar between the Crown Vic and Chevrolet Caprice police vehicles."

Hopefully the Govt. will wise up and stop all this corporate bashing going on in the media and stop these ambulance chasers. I was not talking about you Ross ;).

[SergntMac]

Preheat your "public at large" to Fahrenheit 451.

Grease 9'x5' pan, set aside.

Place 1 panther frame in hot oil, boil until soft. Do not allow frame to separate. Drain and set aside, and cool to room temperature.

In a separate bowl, mix equal parts of several US. Government agencies with limited but equal authority over everything automotive, highway, and consumer related. Add previously shreaded complaints to taste, set aside.

In a separate bowl, mix 7 parts of civil court process with 1 part criminal proceedings. Marinate overnight.

NOTE: Criminal proceedings are caustic here, they will curdle without warining. Watch this pot. As boil temps are reached, this mixture will turn over. Just before it all boils without heat, drain criminal proceedings and rinse mixture in cold water.

Criminal seasoning will have permeated this mix and now enhance it's aroma.

Flavor with survivor stories to taste, and like the rest of it, marinate overnight.

Add additional seasoning with unequal parts of local government elected officials with a desire for continued employment, and again flavor with survivor stories to taste.

Any state-wide police memorial adds sweetness, a nice touch in some regions. Absence of that does not spoil any other ingriedients. Set aside.

NOTE: If you see any mention of "common sense" spices on your shopping list, disregard those contents here. We're not baking a celebration dessert yet. These spices often appear under a global heading of "what would you expect from a high speed rear end collision?" which often includes them when mixing a FMC dinner. However, this is a "sweet table" snack, not a full banquet, or, dessert.

In a separate bowl, mix any parts of any media at your disposal. Be sure to balance newspaper articles with techincal journals, and dust it all with a 60 minutes special. If you really love our southwest flavor, you can substitute the 48 Hours special for the 60 Minutes story for that special Tex-Mex "bite."

In a larger bowl, mix these three smaller bowls together. Fold them with a fork, a really big fork too, K?

Fold briskly, but do not bruise. Set aside to cool to room temp.

Place the panther frame squarely in the greased 9'x5' pan, and pour the contents of the largest bowl over the entire panther frame. Pour slowly too, air pockets can form whichis not good. This mix should cover the entire frame completely.

Insert pan into oven, bake since 1979.

Test every 3 years, when fork comes out clean, it's done.

Remove pan and watch panther frame rise to the surface as it cools to room temperature. Now comes the tricky part.

Grasping both ends of the panthr frame firmly, lift, twist and flip the pan firmly, contents and all, down on a smooth, flat, floured surface. I mean, really slam that puppy down face first...BAM!

Okay, sorry, forgive me, I got excited here. Now, lift and remove pan, and look at your upside down brownie.

Dust all of what you see withground and not so fresh complaint, and serve.

Be conservative with your dusting, there are only two ground complaints to work with here.

This will serve all who have their head up their azz...

Enjoy!

[vegasmarauder]

This is a common theme with journalists today. Stir up the masses with a few selected "facts" and just leave out what dosen't suit your needs. That's why the journalists' trust rating is dropping down to around laywers and used car salesmen.

I'd be willing to bet that those axle seperations were preceded by a lot of nose that was unreported on maintainence reports. I know that when the axle started to go on our 300A it got REAL loud REAL fast, in a matter of days. On a fleet car the tendancy is just drive it for the shift and turn it in at the end of the night. load a few hundred pounds of gear in the trunk of a CVPI and put it a few hard turns on it in a shift and the axles don't have a chance. We have four track cars for pursuit school and they used to get new axles and bearings almost monthly. And the Caprices were no better, same axle wear and the frame mount right under the kick panel would crack after a while.

I have seen a 93 CVPI black and white go backwards into a large power pole at 70 MPH. pushed the trunk into the back seat and blew out the back window. NO fire, just a minor fuel spill and the front doors still opened and closed normally. I have the photo to prove it.

The panther is a safe platform. I have noticed that the 2003 CVPI's have the fuel tank anti-puncture shields installed. I am looking to see if they will fit the MM. It might be something to install for peace of mind..

[GordonB]

Question,
When we have discussed proper jacking techniques for the MM, I have mention how I have always jacked UNDER the rear axle `pumpkin' on all of my previous cars. Since the axle MUST support the weight of the car in the rear and take as much stress/torque as the engine/tranny can dish out, why are we told NOT to jack by the rear axle? Next thing you know someone will tell us that we cannot support the MM in the rear on 2 jackstands placed near the rear wheels!!! LOL!!!
Flame me if you want to, but maybe someone knows something about our cars that people don't exactly care to admit.
Question 1: Is our axle NOT very sturdy? Evidence: Jacking care, Stud & girdle kits!
Question 2: Has anyone ever heard of a Chevy or any GM product using or needing a stud and girdle kit? Evidence: NEVER. After 5 years on the Corvette Forum, I have NEVER heard of a Stud& girdle kit for any GM product.
My questions are NOT about FORD vs. GM. I questions are simply about the inherent strength of our rear axles for our beloved MMs.
If someone has real, non-biased info, pls post it here and PM me. I will be grateful.

Thanks for listening,
GordonB

[SergntMac]

Question, why are we told NOT to jack by the rear axle?
Maybe because after 20 years of front wheel drive, no one knows where the rear "pumpkin" is, or even what it is. I know, and jacking by the rear "pumpkin" is okay in my book. Think likewise for a full size "body on frame" automobile, and from a product liability point of view, telling owners where it is best to jack, is one way to limit court appearances...IMHO.

[01True BlueGT]

My buddy had a 2002 Mustang GT, and the rear axle broke at the end of the housing, and the wheel fell off, resulting in an accident. He was told the accident caused the axle to break, but he didn't hit anything with the rear end of the car. If I could figure out how to attach a pic, you would see where its all front end damage. I hope Ford does some better investigating than that. :flamer:

[merc406]

Preheat your "public at large" to Fahrenheit 451.



Enjoy!



Mac, your mix on this subject is an awesome piece of work, best reading I've seen in a long time!! :bows: :up: :bounce: :rasta:

[Dr Caleb]

Question,
When we have discussed proper jacking techniques for the MM, I have mention how I have always jacked UNDER the rear axle `pumpkin' on all of my previous cars.

Question 1: Is our axle NOT very sturdy? Evidence: Jacking care, Stud & girdle kits!

Question 2: Has anyone ever heard of a Chevy or any GM product using or needing a stud and girdle kit? Evidence: NEVER. After 5 years on the Corvette Forum, I have NEVER heard of a Stud& girdle kit for any GM product.

Thanks for listening,
GordonB

I've always jacked from the housing on all my vehicles.

IIRC, the reason for not jacking on the housing of the rear gears of Marauders is twofold.

1) The rear plate is aluminum, and finned. Jacking on this could bend the fins and damage the rear plate.

2) the axel tubes are fitted - not welded - to the housing. Jacking on the housing can break the axel tubes and the axels can fall out because of this. It's not the actual axel that's at fault, just cost cutting at Ford.

IMHO, a stud girdle is just for piece of mind. A little confidence in taking something designed for ~250 RWHP and putting ~450+ RWHP to it. I've never put stud girdles on any cars, even the 78 Vette I rebuilt. But then again, I don't think it put out much more than 350 horse from the 350 4BBl anyhow. . .

[GordonB]

Dr Caleb,
Thank you for the detailed info. Now I understand. I'll have to re-examine how my '90 Lincoln Mark VII rear axle is put together -- sleeved or welded.
Obviously, I would never jack directly under the the rear plate, but I was considering jacking in front of the rear plate. Now I will have to reconsider how I do the rear jack up.

GordonB.



I've always jacked from the housing on all my vehicles.

IIRC, the reason for not jacking on the housing of the rear gears of Marauders is twofold.

1) The rear plate is aluminum, and finned. Jacking on this could bend the fins and damage the rear plate.

2) the axel tubes are fitted - not welded - to the housing. Jacking on the housing can break the axel tubes and the axels can fall out because of this. It's not the actual axel that's at fault, just cost cutting at Ford.

IMHO, a stud girdle is just for piece of mind. A little confidence in taking something designed for ~250 RWHP and putting ~450+ RWHP to it. I've never put stud girdles on any cars, even the 78 Vette I rebuilt. But then again, I don't think it put out much more than 350 horse from the 350 4BBl anyhow. . .

[RCSignals]

I have noticed that the 2003 CVPI's have the fuel tank anti-puncture shields installed. I am looking to see if they will fit the MM. It might be something to install for peace of mind..

Yes that kit is available at any Ford parts department and will fit a Marauder.

[RCSignals]

Question,
Question 1: Is our axle NOT very sturdy? Evidence: Jacking care, Stud & girdle kits!
Question 2: Has anyone ever heard of a Chevy or any GM product using or needing a stud and girdle kit? Evidence: NEVER. After 5 years on the Corvette Forum, I have NEVER heard of a Stud& girdle kit for any GM product.
GordonB

Gordon,
1.The 8.8 is considered to be a fairly stout and dependable rear.
The jacking restriction is for the reasons cited by Caleb, and from what I've been told, because of the Watts link set up, but I don't know exactly how it is affected.
2.Depends which GM product rear axle you are referring to. Some are even lighter than our 8.8s.
While I don't have it on hand, I think there are rear stud and girdle kits for GM axles. Check with Summit etc. They weren't just designed for Ford 8.8s. (most of us likely do not need them either)
Also, most Chev/GM guys, when they want a strong rear axle, use a Ford 9"
Maybe some of us here are getting to the point with mods of needing that too.

[BillyGman]

MAC, what a creative recipe description that was!!!! I can't say that I've ever read anything like that before on any online message board in my life. And I happen to be a moderator of another board. I thought that I've heard it all. Your talent is being wasted.