52k and axles worn

[O's Fan Rich]

Yep... TSB 03-05-05 has another client.

The rear was being serviced today and loky looky the axles be worn.
I have the extended service plan... so the plan is to replace.
Interesting that I asked them to check for wear at 32k and all was fine. And they could tell me that without even removing the axle!!!


Oh, well.....

[TripleTransAm]

I always understood you needed to remove the axles to be able to detect this particular wear. Is there an easy way to spot this wear without axle removal?

[crouse]

Would Ford cover this under warranty if you didn't have the extended service plan?

[RF Overlord]

crouse, the answer would be:

No.

Well, HIGHLY unlikely any dealer would cover it after the base warranty was up, unless you purchased an extended warranty.

/Steve, I don't think there's any way to see the wear without sliding the axle at least partially out of the tube.

[crouse]

Well, better figure axels into the cost of the 4.10 gear change. I've got about 34,000 on my 2003.

[gdmjoe]

crouse - Would Ford cover this under warranty if you didn't have the extended service plan?
Yes. Ford would cover this under the 3year/36000mile bumper-to-bumper warranty if you met that criteria.

[RF Overlord]

OK, looks like I mis-interpreted his question.

crouse, although my answer is actually correct, gdmjoe's answer is better. If you've only got 34,000 on your car, have it suddenly develop a weird rumbling noise in the rear end and get your dealer to check it out. Tell them you've heard about the axle problems, so if they say everything is fine, you'll have an OASIS entry if they go bad later.

[fastblackmerc]

Yep... TSB 03-05-05 has another client.

Interesting that I asked them to check for wear at 32k and all was fine. And they could tell me that without even removing the axle!!!


Oh, well.....
If they told you your axles were OK at 32k (rhymes doesn't it...) without pulling them, I'd think you have a good case to get them replaced even if you out of warranty and have no extended warranty. If they inspected them properly there would be at the very least 3 qts. of gear oil on the OASIS report. No gear oil = not inspected properly = they fix under the TSB....

[TripleTransAm]

So is one allowed to ask them to check the axles whenever a rear end servicing is requested? If so, how much should that add to the bill?

[RF Overlord]

/Steve, if by "rear end servicing" you're referring to a normal lube change, then I can't imagine it taking more than another hour at MOST to remove the wheels, reposition the caliper brackets, pull the clips, slide the axles out enough to see if there's any abnormal wear, then reassemble. There should be no additional parts cost as you're draining the lube anyway.

[fastblackmerc]

Does the TSB say it's a one time only check?

append:
Just checked the TSB. Says nothing about how many time they can check. But if you tell them you hear a noise back there.......

[RF Overlord]

I'd bet they'll only check it once for free under the TSB, and only if you're still under warranty. Everything else is your dime...

[Ross]

Welcome to the club. Just had mine changed out a couple of months ago. While I was at it I went ahead and got my 4.10's. Mine had 80K.

[bagpiper]

Found mine worn at 19000 miles when I was going to install the 4.10 gears.Also noticed the spider gears for the posi where pitted,had the axles and the posi replaced and had the dealer install the 4.10s since it was apart anyways.

[O's Fan Rich]

Well, better figure axels into the cost of the 4.10 gear change. I've got about 34,000 on my 2003.

Take it in now, tell them you're hearing a different noise from the rear, like it's growling....

[O's Fan Rich]

My axles were pulled to install FRP 4:10's today, not just a lube change.
The kit has a retail of $336.00 I think the parts dude said. 1.5 hours for the job according to the TSB.

[RF Overlord]

$336 for the TSB kit? That's pretty good for 2 new axles, axle bearings, seals, and 3 quarts of 75W-140 synth, which ain't cheap all by itself... :D

[O's Fan Rich]

$336 for the TSB kit? That's pretty good for 2 new axles, axle bearings, seals, and 3 quarts of 75W-140 synth, which ain't cheap all by itself... :D
I don't think the 3 quarts were in there.

[carfixer]

If you ask to have your axles checked, the question from the advisor will be "for what". If you say to check for wear because you heard of the TSB, you will be asked to pay to have the axles removed and inspected. If they are found to be worn, and you are still under warranty, you pay nothing. If they are found to be ok, you pay the charge for removing and reintalling the axles plus fluid and silicone sealer for the cover.

A better way may be to complain of a grinding noise in the rear while driving and mention the TSB. They may or may not just go ahead and do the TSB. It is up to the tech. If he hears it or thinks he hears it and looks up the TSB, he may just fix it.

One more thing: Complaining of a symptom before the car goes out of warranty does not extend your warranty. Because you complained about it before your warranty expired does not mean you'll have a failure covered after the warranty runs out.
Example, a customer says "I heard a noise from the engine last week but I don't hear it anymore. I just want it noted in case my engine blows up after warranty is up." My recommendation to the customer is to purchase an extended warranty before your warranty runs out to protect yourself from unwanted repair bills in the future. This may sound a little cold but it is reality. Once your warranty is up, it is your car. There are exception but they are rare.

[O's Fan Rich]

Is there a difference in the replacement axles?
Were some of the originals softer or just not lubed up properly?

[Parts Man]

The Tsb Kit Is Only $338. At The Dealer 2 Axles 2 Seals 2 Bearings New Chunk Pin And 3 Bottels Of Fluid. Need To Buy The Limited Slip Fluid For 4.25. Not Bad For The Price. My Dealer Had 2 And The Ford Dealer Down The Road Had 6 ( The Axles & Bearings Are The New Heavy Duty Service Parts)

[gdmjoe]

fastblackmerc ... [i]append: Just checked the TSB. Says nothing about how many time they can check. But if you tell them you hear a noise back there.......
My experience .... Took the car into a Raleigh, NC dealership (that will go unnamed) for an axle noise during the bumper-to-bumper warranty period. After a road test, they said that it was tire noise. I asked about a tear-down and visual inspection -or- maybe just putting the vehicle on the rack in drive and using a stethoscope to check, and they indicated that it wouldn't be done ..."Besides ... You've got ESP". Ya, and I got $100 deductible (that comes out of my pocket).

Later during a gear / TracLok install at Haywood Custom Speed (Raleigh, NC), DEFINITE axle wear was evident. Since one of the mechanics was a former employee of the above dealership -and- the axles were out, he called to see if the dealership would allow them to install a kit and return the broken parts to the dealership (would also save them some $$$$$ since I had already provided the dif' lube and friction modifier ... all that was really needed was the axles, bearing, and seals). Dealership said No. Borrowed one of the mech's cars and drove to the dealership to explain the situation, all to no avail. If fact they indicated that since I was modifying the rear-end that they wouldn't cover any of it; explained that the modifications had nothing to do with the axle wear and that I had reported the problem to them earlier. Still No.

Since I was about to relocate to MI, and didn't really want to debate the issue with the rep', my response was ... "Well it looks like a Michigan dealership will be doing the repair then."

The MI dealership (Tony Betten - Grand Rapids) had no problem doing the TSB repair and infact had to go above and beyond, because the axle situation had deteriorated to metal shavings throughout the dif' housing and tubes; after only 2000miles since the Haywood Custom Speed discovery.

So ... It all depends on the dealership. And Yes I had (past tense) a good relationship with the Raleigh, NC dealership.

[RCSignals]

I always understood you needed to remove the axles to be able to detect this particular wear. Is there an easy way to spot this wear without axle removal?

Apparently, sometimes the seals will start to seep.

[O's Fan Rich]

Ok, car will be ready tomorrow. $100.00 deductable, that's all.
Haldeman Ford, Kutztown and the ESP came through!!!

[RF Overlord]

WTG, Rich... :up:

It's still astounding to me how there can be such a variation in customer service from dealer to dealer.

I was honest with the local Ford dealer about discovering the axle wear during the 4.10 install, and they STILL covered it under the TSB with no hassle. I've since sent a couple of colleagues there, so that dealership made out...

[Badger]

Did they ever fix this issue on the 04s? I'm coming up on 23k and might want them to check this out before my warranty expires.

[RF Overlord]

Badger. the TSB only applies to cars built through January of '03 so your '04 should be alright.

[Shaijack]

Shaijack here, at 35000 miles mine started making noise and told them to check the axels for wear. When I got the MM back the service advisor told me they found nothing wrong. I asked him if they pulled the axels and checked it and he said NO. I then told him I have a record of a needed repair and if the wheel came off the dealership would be responsible for the repairs to my MM and the axel repair. He did get shaken up by that. I gave the dealership an F on the repair report but have never heard back from Mercury or the dealership. I only go their for the free oil change and you know about things that are FREE. You get what you pay for. Marshal Brothers Mercury and Lincoln in Metairie, LA is the dealership. I am getting the wife a Towncar but they will not get my business on the sale.

[GreekGod]

My '03 was built in April, '02. It's good to know (if it is true) that the replacement TSB kit is heavy-duty or an upgrade replacement.

I will also go to 4.11 gears but the 28 spline axles are way too girly-man for the GreekGod. A new differential and 31 spline axles are also a safety upgrade. An axle retained by C-clips will likely cause an accident if an axle breaks.

[94_302]

I had mine done with 59,180 on the clock. The dealer was a little slow in diagnosing the problem. But they made things right and I would gladly give them my business.

[Shora]

Just had the "Kit" installed at RoyalPITA's dealership (Marauder has 40K miles). I drove over 50 miles each way (4 trips total and still have to go back because parts for another problem are on order) just to get this done at a dealership with someone that I know and trust.

RoyalPITA, like many of the SSM members, go above and beyond to make sure that things get done right for their friends.

Thanks Bud! I owe you so many beers now that I don't believe you can drink them in one sitting but I will have fun watching you try.

:beer:

[gatlandc]

more than 10 years have past since the last post but it seems I like TSB 03-05-05 has finally caught up with me. I have 119,000 on the clock and last weekend the car left a huge deposit or oil on under the left rear wheel . I had the local trans guy slip out the axles and found them badly worn. Time for the repair kit. The one thing that doesn't line up with the other post I have read here is mine or a 2004 MM with 4.10 ratio?

[RF Overlord]

The one thing that doesn't line up with the other post I have read here is mine or a 2004 MM with 4.10 ratio?Not sure what you're asking here...yours is a 28-spline axle, that's all that matters. They changed to 31-spline in mid-year 2005, so that confuses many people when ordering.

I don't think Ford sells the kit anymore, so you'll have to get the individual parts.

[BLACKMARAUDER04]

The TSB was for early production 2003's only.
It doesn't apply to your 2004.

[Turbov6Bryan]

Google 8.8 axle repair bearing and seal

No axles will need to be ordered

[RF Overlord]

Google 8.8 axle repair bearing and seal

No axles will need to be orderedRepair bearings are for old taxis or cars you don't really care about.

[Turbov6Bryan]

Repair bearings are for old taxis or cars you don't really care about.

I'm sure you have so much money coming out of your rear you don't mind turning a 40.00 repair into a 600.00 repair

[lifespeed]

Repair bearings are for old taxis or cars you don't really care about.

Agreed, I wouldn't even consider a "repair kit". Complete Oklahoma Engineering (no offense to you Okies :) ).

[Turbov6Bryan]

It's probably 12 degrees Fahrenheit up there where he lives, the seals start to shrink once it gets really damn cold out...

If the axle housing has eaten 4 axles in 119,000 miles I would straighten the tubes or cut it and reweld it

New axles didn't fix it before, how would it fix it the axle eating rear diff?

Repair bearing extends the life of a worn axle by relocating the bearing wear surface and where the seal rides. No axle replacement needed :)

[RF Overlord]

I'm sure you have so much money coming out of your rear you don't mind turning a 40.00 repair into a 600.00 repairI actually try to be responsible with my money, but I don't mind paying a little more to do the job correctly the first time.

And where did you get $600 from? Axle shafts on Rock Auto are only about $130 ea.

[RF Overlord]

If the axle housing has eaten 4 axles in 119,000 miles I would straighten the tubes or cut it and reweld it

New axles didn't fix it before, how would it fix it the axle eating rear diff?
Where did the poster say 4 axles? I read it as his original axles wore after 119,000 miles, which is not that unusual.

[Turbov6Bryan]

I actually try to be responsible with my money, but I don't mind paying a little more to do the job correctly the first time.

And where did you get $600 from? Axle shafts on Rock Auto are only about $130 ea.

Axles, bearings, seals, fluids. SHIPPING little more than 130.00 eh? Don't forget labor if your not capable of it yourself. Didn't you say clearing a set of headlights would cost you over 800.00 for a shop to clear them for you...... or you could buy 4 sets of new ones instead of buying the tools yourself?

Are tools going to fall out of the heavens for you to repair a rear axle or are you contracting yourself again? $130.00 rear axle job vs $800.00 headlights,... which is it? Your cost evaluation seems to be exaggerated from the top of the scale to the bottom :)

gatlandc did it "right" twice now and going on his third set of axles in 119,000 miles, doing the job correctly the first time really isn't a leg you want to stand on :lol: especially when it's going to fail again

Cheers

[Turbov6Bryan]

Where did the poster say 4 axles? I read it as his original axles wore after 119,000 miles, which is not that unusual.

I read it as he has already had the tsb done once already

Not my car and he didn't clarify it either

Funny mine with 206k still has the stock axles in it

Have a good one

[RF Overlord]

Axles, bearings, seals, fluids. SHIPPING little more than 130.00 eh? Don't forget labor if your not capable of it yourself. YOU said $40 for repair bearings...did THAT figure include labour? And as far as seals and fluids, you'd need the same stuff whether you did repair bearings or proper bearings and axles as well. And I said axles were $130 EACH...I never said that was the total cost of the job.

Yes, I did exaggerate the cost of having a shop repair a set of headlights, and I shouldn't have criticised you for having the equipment and skill to do that job yourself. Truce?

[Turbov6Bryan]

I'm not upset, I don't think we need a truce cause we're just talking out loud

I simply suggested a alternative for the guy, and get hammered from doing so.
No biggie, I'm used to it, lots of guys love to throw money away

Local guy here had this same issue, bearing went out and took out the ebrake assy

Lots of great advise was given to help out a local mm brother, guy tosses 1400.00 at one axle, one seal, one bearing, one side of ebrakes for a shop to do it

I was a mechanic for 20 years,.. retired at 38 years old. If I can help the guy out by suggesting a $40.00 bearing, my suggestion shouldn't be tossed out like garbage by not 1 but 2 members after I posted it

Seems like I was right/wrong or you were right/wrong isn't the issue, if the guy can save a buck or two, let him make that decision

[RF Overlord]

guy tosses 1400.00 at one axle, one seal, one bearing, one side of ebrakes for a shop to do itWow...he got taken.

[GreekGod]

Wow...he got taken.

Maybe, maybe not - a proper repair requires cleaning the interior of the entire axle housing. The last time I had an axle bearing failure, I completely removed and stripped the housing and power washed it.

There are interior areas that are inaccessible without a bench cleaning, especially in the pinion area. The tubes can be cleaned in chassis, and doing so reveals just how tenacious the tiny metal shavings stick to interior surfaces.

I understand there have been many successful bearing repairs done with an in chassis repair and cleaning, but doing so doesn't accomplish my definition of a proper repair.

The Greek God believes that cleanliness is next to Godliness.

==
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/medium/PalletsMay232012_001.jpg

[RF Overlord]

After the Dorman replacement axles in Mary's car failed, I took it to a professional who replaced both axles and bearings and did a thorough cleaning and I didn't pay anywhere near that much..if memory serves it was under $900, and this part of MA (a summer resort) is not cheap.

[O's Fan Rich]

It's good to see one of my old posts enjoying new found friends!

[gatlandc]

Hi , i think my loosely word post has caused some confusion. My 04 Marauder still has original axles but is leaking badly so I ordered the Ford repair kit which I found on Ebay for about $400. I have the only MM in New Zealand so will take 2 weeks to ship . Thanks for the comments and good wishes!

[gatlandc]

My final post on this thread is the photo evidence. It all fixed nowhttp://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/medium/IMG_20170113_130634.jpg http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/[img]http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/medium/IMG_20170113_130634.jpg.

[DrZ]

Hi , i think my loosely word post has caused some confusion. My 04 Marauder still has original axles but is leaking badly so I ordered the Ford repair kit which I found on Ebay for about $400. I have the only MM in New Zealand so will take 2 weeks to ship . Thanks for the comments and good wishes!
I own a Silver Birch Marauder since new. I drive one of two Marauders ( 2nd is Black) everywhere and everytime I stop people stop to look. You can see car guys and gals make a mental note. Sometimes they can't figure out what it is or maybe I they think it law enforcement. It makes me feel happy to see people stop for a moment and look. I getting too old for women to take a second glance at me. My Marauder always gets that head turn. I keep an eye on my car just like my wife or daughter to make sure everything is safe. ?? Or I just want to see people and their facial expressions. Someone like you in New Zealand has the white tiger. Good luck and fix that car yourself! Marauders are special cars to see but more important to drive fast safely. :D

[The_Dude]

My final post on this thread is the photo evidence. It all fixed nowhttp://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/medium/IMG_20170113_130634.jpg http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/medium/IMG_20170113_130634.jpg[/IMG].

fixed it for you