Recall Question

[AudioBks]

Hello,

This is my first post so I hope I'm in the right forum. I'm the proud owner of a gorgeous black '03 Marauder. Ford has just announced a recall of '03 Crown Vic's for a "squeaky axle" issue. A) Does the '03 Marauder have the Vic front suspension? and B) Since I've experienced this weird "squeak" recently in my own black beauty, the question is... Are we covered by the recall and/or should I contact my dealer? Many thanks....

Ross...
MountainWhispers.com

[hitchhiker]

Hello,

This is my first post so I hope I'm in the right forum. I'm the proud owner of a gorgeous black '03 Marauder. Ford has just announced a recall of '03 Crown Vic's for a "squeaky axle" issue. A) Does the '03 Marauder have the Vic front suspension? and B) Since I've experienced this weird "squeak" recently in my own black beauty, the question is... Are we covered by the recall and/or should I contact my dealer? Many thanks....

Ross...
MountainWhispers.com

There was an article in the paper this morning about an axle recal on CV's and Lincolons. My servicing dealer recalls doing one Marauder already. Ford has already put together a 'kit' for doing these according to my servicing dealer.

This looks like an opportunity to put in the 410's for a little less money...?

I am going to insist on having mine done at my next service interval.

Best Regards,

David

[MERCMAN]

There was an article in the paper this morning about an axle recal on CV's and Lincolons. My servicing dealer recalls doing one Marauder already. Ford has already put together a 'kit' for doing these according to my servicing dealer.

This looks like an opportunity to put in the 410's for a little less money...?

I am going to insist on having mine done at my next service interval.

Best Regards,

David

From blueovalnews.com
2003 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptors and fleet vehicles with body code P70, P71 and p72 built from 10 October 2001 through 04 December 2002 may have defective rear axle shafts. In addition, 2003 Lincoln Town Cars with body codes M84 and M81 built from 14 November 2001 through 03 December 2002 may also have defective axles.

In a Ford memo, Ford said "Due to significant differences in vehicle design and customer usage, the affected vehicles typically input higher loads into the vehicle chassis during fleet usage, overloading the wheel bearings and axles. This may lead to early bearing failure and ultimately, axle shaft fracture. In the event of axle shaft fracture, the vehicle would lose drive function and would coast to a stop. Loss of drive function could lead to a crash." Should an axle fracture occur, you could essentially lose a wheel/tire.

Ford dealers are instructed to install an axle repair kit, which consists of new rear axles, bearings and seals.

The Special Service Support Center can be reached at 1-800-325-5621.

[BillyGman]

Mercman, thanks for providing that #


BTW, going by the info that has been shared so far in this thread, it doesn't sound to me that this recall includes Marauders. If that's the case then this wouldn't concern us. Right? :confused:

[BillyGman]

Hello,

I'm the proud owner of a gorgeous black '03 Marauder. Ford has just announced a recall of '03 Crown Vic's for a "squeaky axle" issue. A) Does the '03 Marauder have the Vic front suspension? and B) Since I've experienced this weird "squeak" recently in my own black beauty, the question is... Are we covered by the recall and/or should I contact my dealer? Many thanks....

Ross...
MountainWhispers.com
Ross, it sounds to me like you're experiencing that common squeak in the front. On my Marauder I was getting that for a long time. But just the other day I finally got around to turning up those two adjusters in the front that are located underneath the hood. You can easilt spot them as soon as you open the hood. It's what the hood is supposed to rest on, but it won't if they're too low. They're rubber stoppers that have threaded shafts. They're hex shaped on the top rubber part that the hood is supposed to make contact with. But they can simply be turned up or down by hand.

All is you need to do is adjust them high enough so that the hood will NOT close completley, and then simply back them off just enough so that it will close w/out having to slam it down w/all your weight into it. I also used to notice how my hood used to dance around while driving on the highway. Now it doesn't squeak anymore while driving slowly over bumps, and the hood deosn't dance around anymore while on the highway like it used to.

A good test is to first push down on the front of your hood while it's already closed. If you can move it downward at all, then thus rubber head hood bumpers adjusters underneath the hood are NOT high enough, and therefore the hood is NOT resting on them like it should be. ;)

[RoyLPita]

Welcome aboard, AudioBks. If your MM was built before 1/1/03, there is a TSB that can apply to your car if you are under 36000 miles.

Just my .02 and then some.

[carfixer]

Here is a copy and paste of dealer letter concerning the axle recall. As you can see, it does not apply to us (but it should, IMO).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SAFETY RECALL
04S16 Certain 2003 Model Year Ford Crown Victoria Police/Commercial and Lincoln Town Car Vehicles Sold to Fleets-Rear Axle Shaft Fracture

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Frank M. Ligon
Director
Service Engineering Operations
Ford Customer Service Division

Ford Motor Company
P.O. Box 1904
Dearborn, Michigan 48121

July 2004

TO: All U.S. Ford and Lincoln Mercury Dealers

SUBJECT: Safety Recall 04S16:
Certain 2003 Model Year Ford Crown Victoria Police/Commercial and Lincoln Town Car Vehicles Sold to Fleets
Rear Axle Shaft Fracture


AFFECTED VEHICLES


Certain 2003 model year Ford Crown Victoria Police/Commercial (Body codes P70, P71 and P72) vehicles built at the St. Thomas Assembly Plant from October 10, 2001 through December 4, 2002.
Certain 2003 model year Lincoln Town Car vehicles sold to fleets (Body codes M84 and M81 ordered with FIN code) built at the Wixom Assembly Plant from November 14, 2001 through December 3, 2002.
Affected vehicles are identified in OASIS. In addition, for a list of vehicles assigned to your dealership, visit https://web.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.com. This information will be available on July 8, 2004.

REASON FOR THIS SAFETY RECALL

Due to significant differences in vehicle design and customer usage, the affected vehicles typically input higher loads into the vehicle chassis during fleet usage, overloading the wheel bearings and axles. This may lead to early bearing failure and ultimately, axle shaft fracture. In the event of axle shaft fracture, the vehicle would lose drive function and would coast to a stop. Loss of drive function could lead to a vehicle crash.

SERVICE ACTION

At no charge to the vehicle owner, dealers are to install an axle repair kit consisting of new rear axle shafts, rear wheel bearings, and rear axle seals. This must be performed on all of the affected vehicles in your inventory as well as vehicles that have been delivered to customers.

Based on our records, vehicles that were previously repaired with axle repair kit 3W1Z-4A109-AA (introduced with Technical Service Bulletin #03-05-05) do not require any further repair and are not included in this program.

PLEASE NOTE:

Correct all vehicles in stock before delivery. Federal law requires dealers to complete any outstanding safety recall service before a new vehicle is delivered to the buyer or lessee. Violation of this requirement by a dealer could result in a civil penalty of up to $5,000 per vehicle.

[carfixer]

For anyone with axle bearing issues and are still under warranty, go to the dealer and mention this (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showpost.php?p=108279&postcount=3) TSB.

[BillyGman]

Thankyou for that info Carfixer. :bows:

[RCSignals]

Here is a copy and paste of dealer letter concerning the axle recall. As you can see, it does not apply to us (but it should, IMO).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SAFETY RECALL
04S16 Certain 2003 Model Year Ford Crown Victoria Police/Commercial and Lincoln Town Car Vehicles Sold to Fleets-Rear Axle Shaft Fracture

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

.............................. ..............Certain 2003 Model Year Ford Crown Victoria Police/Commercial and Lincoln Town Car Vehicles Sold to Fleets
Rear Axle Shaft Fracture


AFFECTED VEHICLES


Certain 2003 model year Ford Crown Victoria Police/Commercial (Body codes P70, P71 and P72) vehicles built at the St. Thomas Assembly Plant from October 10, 2001 through December 4, 2002.

Something seems wrong with those dates. I didn't think 2003 MY production began until about March of 2002.
2002 production ended early, about Jan 2002, and then the plant was closed for a while to prepare for the changes involved in the 2003s (frame, front end, etc) So there shouldn't have been any 2003s prduced between October 2001 and February 2002......

[Krytin]

I remember this coming up once before. I noticed alot of end play in the axles when installing the rear rotors. I had the dealership check it out and this tuesday it's going in for the axle repair kit! Also getting new fog lights under waranty as the looked a little cloudy!

[Ross]

The Special Service Support Center can be reached at 1-800-325-5621.


I tried calling that number and I was told that it was only for dealers. They told me to call the customer service number at 800 392 3673.

[TripleTransAm]

Ross, it sounds to me like you're experiencing that common squeak in the front. On my Marauder I was getting that for a long time. But just the other day I finally got around to turning up those two adjusters in the front that are located underneath the hood. You can easilt spot them as soon as you open the hood. It's what the hood is supposed to rest on, but it won't if they're too low.

Of course, my car HAS to be different...
It squeaks/groans from the front latch when the passenger's side hood bumper sits too high. It gets quiet when the bumper sits low, but then I get the hood flutter you mentioned.

Here's an interesting twist... that bumper is 'loose' in the sense it doesn't hold it's height all that well, unlike the driver's side unit that feels tight at whatever height it's at. If I set the passenger's side unit high enough, it'll hold its height but I get a squeak from the latch. If I don't have it high enough, the hood bumper will eventually lower itself and I get the hood flutter and the passenger's side leading edge sits a little low.

Gonna get this addressed once and for all next time I bring the car in to visit the dealer. Until then, I believe my car is due another shot of grease on the latch mechanism...

[Krytin]

You also need to grease these bumpers w/white lithium grease. Once they are adjusted up to the right height - put a little dab on the top of each one. If they are dry and there is any movement in the front end they will tend to squeek!

[BillyGman]

I agree about using white grease on them. I've also been considering getting some Lok-tite to apply to the threads to keep them at the proper height.

[Krytin]

Ok, here's an update.
Dropped the car off on Tuesday 7/13 for axle/bearing kit & fog lights - picked up Linc LS loaner.
Picked up my car thursday 7/15 - after installing axle/bearing, the tech still had too much end play on the shaft. He wound up replacing the diff/posi assembly and bearings - he noted that the clutches in the posi were burnt up - oops! He couldn't swing a gear replacement under waranty as there wasn't any abnormal wear visable. We did talk about future replacement IF the gears start making any noise in the future - upgrade to 410's may be possible @ that time.
Ran the car up to Woodbury Commons on saturday - 230 miles round trip. Ran well, no leaks or vibrations and no noise... YET!