Rear Axle Bearings

[EbonyMarauder03]

I almost made it to 36,000 miles with no major problems. Last week I had one of my A techs listen to my car. I could hear something not right in the rear. Under my ESP they found the axle bearings and shafts fubarred and the carrier bearings wiped out. Pretty sad considering I've only been to the track twice with the car and the only burnouts done were in the wet box. I never do them dry on the street. :burn:

I also got a free set of rear rotors since they had to be torched off. :D

[Bradley G]

A couple burnouts did not ruin your axles.
They are defects.
the new rotors are a bonus!

[crouse]

Ford TSB 03-05-05.

[lwblumjr]

Hi all,

Yeah, I had to have the right side axle and axle bearings replaced on my Marauder at 62k miles my cost. It was already out of the extended warranty I bought when I bought my Marauder at almost two years old. (The Marauder, not me. :) ) I had the water pump replaced at the same time. Those are the only repairs I have had done on mine so far.

[EbonyMarauder03]

I knew all along my were bad. My MM is a mid-2002 build. The sad part is my bumper-to-bumper ran out in March and my carrier bearings didn't crap out until now. Oh well...I only have a $50 deductible. I'll have to try and get pics of my wiped axle shafts and the beat marks in the rotors when they tried to get them off.

The 4.10's that also went in I'm still up in the air about. I'll give them some time. I hope to get to the track yet this year to see the difference.

I was going to get one of Dennis's EBC brake kits, but with new rotors in the back I don't really need all that. I might go with Prostop's Cryo rotors or just a front set of EBC rotors and green stuff pads.

[RF Overlord]

The 4.10's that also went in I'm still up in the air about.What is it you're not sure of? In just about every case but one (that I know of), 4.10s made a significant difference in performance...can you elaborate?

[EbonyMarauder03]

There is no doubt to the seat of the pants feel and performance. It's the brutal hit in fuel economy I'm getting. I need to wait for the novelty :P to wear off and I stop putting the pedal through the floor.

[RR|Suki]

that's so crappy on ford the way the TSB works, they really love customers... they should atleast give you the milage... my car has 16K miles and is out of warranty because of time. So if this thing goes out at 20K.. it's on me... I tell you what, unless they get with the 10yr/100K this might be my last ford (unless I fall in love with the mustang).

[ScottB]

that's so crappy on ford the way the TSB works, they really love customers... they should atleast give you the milage... my car has 16K miles and is out of warranty because of time. So if this thing goes out at 20K.. it's on me... I tell you what, unless they get with the 10yr/100K this might be my last ford (unless I fall in love with the mustang).

Rear axle bearings are really pretty easy to replace when you do the brakes, and cheap as well.

[RR|Suki]

Rear axle bearings are really pretty easy to replace when you do the brakes, and cheap as well.

no doubt, I just mean as a general policy thing, seems like taking care of customers comes 2nd sometimes :( I love my baby though so they have me trapped

[ScottB]

It does bite.

I don't know much about the defect itself, but in 99 there was a problem with 8.8 assemblies that had been stored outdoors and had some rust problems. If this is a similar problem then I imagine time is as bad as miles, so maybe you are alright.

On the other hand, the axle bearings don't get much lubrication unless they are being driven around regularly. You are probably safe there too, though.

[Marauderjack]

What's with everyone having trouble getting the rear brake rotors off??:confused:

Mine look OK but I may want to upgrade and don't want to have to bring in HEAVY ARTILLARY to remove them!!:shake:

Marauderjack:help:

[StevenJ]

that's so crappy on ford the way the TSB works, they really love customers... they should atleast give you the milage... my car has 16K miles and is out of warranty because of time. So if this thing goes out at 20K.. it's on me... I tell you what, unless they get with the 10yr/100K this might be my last ford (unless I fall in love with the mustang).

On a side note, all new Fords have powertrain warrenties of 5yrs/60,000 miles. Thoose Korean 100,000 mile warranties only cover certain things and are non-transferable. When you sell the car, it becomes 5y/60,000 miles. Just thought you should know.

[sfsv]

Ford Lincoln Mercury is aware of the rear axle concern on the early build (prior to 1-1-2003) 2003 MM,CV,GM, and TC. It is addressed in a TSB 03-5-5. If your MM is out of the basic 3/36 warranty and you have a good relationship with your servicing dealer. You can ask the dealer to perform a After Warranty Adjustment (AWA) toward the axle repair and tell them that you are willing to pay a $50 or $100 deductable toward the repair. You should go in with a nice attitude, car cleaned, and have very little mods done to your MM. If you do business with that dealership, I don't see a problem with them doing a AWA for you. Dealerships as with other businesses base their decisions when giving discounts and AWA on the client's previous business dealings. Just the same as you would if you own your own business. AWA was designed to assist dealers in taking care of their loyal customers that keep their vehicles well maintained, when they have a concern/s, after the basic warranty has expired.