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Safety Recall 22S27 Rear Axle Bolt Fractures
- Thread starter TFocker
- Start date
There should be ZERO breaks period and your numbers are made up since Ford hasn't advertised the exact number of broken bolts.
If you want to claim anything else you are going to need to explain why differential bolts aren't breaking and requiring recalls across all manufacturers and vehicles. The fact that bolts are pulled out bent (even if they aren't broken) is proof that it was engineered incorrectly.
The last thing Mr. Fireman won't and cannot address is why the Lincoln Aviator is still built with the 2 bolt rear subframe. In fact I challenge him to go to a Lincoln dealer and let us all know how many single bolt rears he finds. The Aviator has the same exact drivetrain that the ST does, this includes the same ratio rear end. If Lincoln engineers refused to accept the change on their premium product it should make us all take notice. (Ford tried to save a dime and ended up costing itself a dollar)
If you want to claim anything else you are going to need to explain why differential bolts aren't breaking and requiring recalls across all manufacturers and vehicles. The fact that bolts are pulled out bent (even if they aren't broken) is proof that it was engineered incorrectly.
The last thing Mr. Fireman won't and cannot address is why the Lincoln Aviator is still built with the 2 bolt rear subframe. In fact I challenge him to go to a Lincoln dealer and let us all know how many single bolt rears he finds. The Aviator has the same exact drivetrain that the ST does, this includes the same ratio rear end. If Lincoln engineers refused to accept the change on their premium product it should make us all take notice. (Ford tried to save a dime and ended up costing itself a dollar)
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This is the pic Mr. Fireman posted (of his own mount?). Interestingly, it shows the new mount but instead of the "upgraded" bolt, that there is the old "SPF 10.9" bolt! Now if Ford really thought the new bolt (W720988S439) was "upgraded" would they have put that old one in there? Old bolt, new bolt... probably doesn't matter because it's the same bolt as far as specs. As long as you're getting a new bolt, that's all that matters. If I had a 1 bolt, I'd be buying a few of these bolts and replacing it yearly. If anything, to check to make sure it's not bent. Ford does not recommend you reuse these bolts so if you check it, you should put in a new one--even if it's not bent.
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The "solid core" (improved) bushing shown in the pic immediately above addresses what Ford deemed to be the root cause, namely:
"The joint design is not robust to peak axle input torques and manufacturing variability. The primary contributor is insufficient bearing area for maximum joint loads. This results in bearing area deformation, increasing bending stress on the bolt, which may lead to a fatigue failure."
They are referred to the "webbed" core design of the earlier bushing, P/N L1MW-4B425-BA.
"The joint design is not robust to peak axle input torques and manufacturing variability. The primary contributor is insufficient bearing area for maximum joint loads. This results in bearing area deformation, increasing bending stress on the bolt, which may lead to a fatigue failure."
They are referred to the "webbed" core design of the earlier bushing, P/N L1MW-4B425-BA.
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The latest recall is to replace the original rear bushing on pre-'23 "three-bolt" Explorers with a revised design bushing (and install a fresh bolt just in case the original one might be compromised). Ford is saying the new style bushing should prevent bolt damage. Not sure how long it takes.
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https://fordauthority.com/2024/02/2020-2022-ford-explorer-rear-axle-bolt-investigation-closed/amp/
“ Then, last October, Ford issued another recall instructing dealers to replace the subframe bushing and rear axle bolt in affected vehicles, which – coupled with a customer service program – has prompted the NHTSA to close its investigation, which was opened by the Office of Defect Investigation (ODI) last July after the agency received three complaints from owners of affected vehicles.”
read this just yesterday
“ Then, last October, Ford issued another recall instructing dealers to replace the subframe bushing and rear axle bolt in affected vehicles, which – coupled with a customer service program – has prompted the NHTSA to close its investigation, which was opened by the Office of Defect Investigation (ODI) last July after the agency received three complaints from owners of affected vehicles.”
read this just yesterday
I picked up my ST yesterday from local dealership for Rear Axle Bolt and Rear Camera Recall fixes.
Got about 6 miles from dealership on interstate and rear end started to whine, then all hell broke loose, made hell of a racket & locked up solid. Luckily was able to maneuver it to the shoulder and had roadside assistance haul back to dealer (after biz hours of course). Left voice message at Service desk to call me ASAP in morning to get S*%! figured out. Can't believe it but NOT surprised that a tech cannot do a simple fix.
Attached is the service write up of what they did.
Got about 6 miles from dealership on interstate and rear end started to whine, then all hell broke loose, made hell of a racket & locked up solid. Luckily was able to maneuver it to the shoulder and had roadside assistance haul back to dealer (after biz hours of course). Left voice message at Service desk to call me ASAP in morning to get S*%! figured out. Can't believe it but NOT surprised that a tech cannot do a simple fix.
Attached is the service write up of what they did.
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Got a call from the service advisor and he said the tech "misread" the amount of rear diff fluid on re-fill. They have a new diff coming should be here Tuesday for replacement. I live 50 miles away and they are supposed to be delivering a loaner to me this afternoon 
I really had low expectations for the dealership before I went in and not to my surprise I set the bar way too high for them. At least the service advisor is trying to accommodate as it's not his fault. But seriously!!
And let it be known that it's not just Ford dealer around here. My wife's rig is a 2022 Suburban High Country and I do all the service work on that too. Local Chevy service techs didn't tighten down the oil filter on 2nd oil change last year and it puked 2 quarts out in my garage. So they are cut from the same torn cloth.
I really had low expectations for the dealership before I went in and not to my surprise I set the bar way too high for them. At least the service advisor is trying to accommodate as it's not his fault. But seriously!!
And let it be known that it's not just Ford dealer around here. My wife's rig is a 2022 Suburban High Country and I do all the service work on that too. Local Chevy service techs didn't tighten down the oil filter on 2nd oil change last year and it puked 2 quarts out in my garage. So they are cut from the same torn cloth.
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- 2021 Explorer ST Carbonized Gray
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