Opinions wanted

[KevinB]

Hello Everyone,<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
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I recently purchased a 300A built in July of 2002. It has only 4600 miles on it. I'd like your opinions/input about the TSB 03-03-05 and the defective axles that very well may be in this vehicle.<o:p></o:p>
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I’m strongly considering replacing the axles that are in there now with the axle kit 3W1Z-4A109-AA. My reasoning being that if I do it now, one, it will be done and I won’t have to deal with it in the future, and 2, most importantly, I can prevent any future wear on the rear end components if I left the original axles in and they start to wear and shave off metal.<o:p></o:p>
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I can do this job myself, and for the price of the axle kit this seems like cheap insurance. Although this goes against the “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” principle, I’m of the mind that I can do it now or do it later. <o:p></o:p>
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In the forum it seems like a lot of 300A owners had their rear axles replaced.<o:p></o:p>
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Of course, the original axles may not be defective and all this would be for nothing.<o:p></o:p>
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What do you think?

Thanks,

KevinB<o:p></o:p>
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[fastblackmerc]

Get someone to run the VIN. If they have already been replaced under warranty it will show that. Otherwise I'd replace them for "piece of mind".

[SC Cheesehead]

Get someone to run the VIN. If they have already been replaced under warranty it will show that. Otherwise I'd replace them for "piece of mind".

^^^^^^^ +1 ^^^^^^^

PM RoyLPita with your VIN, and he can run an OASIS report on the car for you.

SCCH

[KevinB]

Wow! You guys are fast! Thanks! RoyLPita already ran an OASIS for me and the axles have not been replaced. I will go ahead and replace the axles.

Thanks.

KevinB

[MM03MOK]

Since there's a TSB on the axles, it shouldn't matter that the warranty is up, right? Why not take them to a dealer and have them looked at. We did and got them replaced.

[RoyLPita]

The part number for the kit is in my signature.

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

Since there's a TSB on the axles, it shouldn't matter that the warranty is up, right? Why not take them to a dealer and have them looked at. We did and got them replaced.

No, this is not the way TSB's work. If you are out of warranty, even though its a TSB repair you have to pay for it. The TSB advises the repair facilities what to fix, but it doesn't give you a free ride on the repair.

I'm sure some dealerships will do it at their discretion as part of a warranty assist or something like that.

TSB does not equal recall. A recall would be a free repair even outside of warranty.

[Paul T. Casey]

Some of them (axles) were good. My "early build" went 175K miles on the originals.

[crouse]

A lift would make the job of replacing axles and seals a lot easier. The biggest PITA is removing the C-clips.

Remove wheels, brake calipers. Pound on the rotors for 15 minutes until they break free. Remove rear cover. Fight with C-clips for 20 minutes then remove axles. Remove axle seals. Spray 3 cans of CRC Brakleen inside housing. Install new axle bearings. Install new axle seals. Install new axles. Fight with C-clips for another 20 minutes. Install rear cover. Fill rearend with 3 quarts of Ford lube and one bottle for Ford friction modifier. Install rotors, calipers and wheels and that's it, you're done. What did I forget?

[Blk Mamba]

A lift would make the job of replacing axles and seals a lot easier. The biggest PITA is removing the C-clips.

Remove wheels, brake calipers. Pound on the rotors for 15 minutes until they break free. Remove rear cover. Fight with C-clips for 20 minutes then remove axles. Remove axle seals. Spray 3 cans of CRC Brakleen inside housing. Install new axle bearings. Install new axle seals. Install new axles. Fight with C-clips for another 20 minutes. Install rear cover. Fill rearend with 3 quarts of Ford lube and one bottle for Ford friction modifier. Install rotors, calipers and wheels and that's it, you're done. What did I forget?

That this car only has 4600 miles on it, I would assume that he would not need to beat on the rotors for 20 min., although I could be wrong.

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

I don't know how c clips take more than 1 minute. You just pop them off with a screwdriver, being careful not to cut the o rings that preload them. They will fall right off into the case. They drop right back in and you pop them in w/ a screw driver. The o rings will keep them from falling out. A lift is not at all necessary as long as you have a clean concrete floor to slide around on. I use 6 ton jackstands and can get the car up almost too high to be comfortable working on my back under the car.

[KevinB]

Thanks for your input everyone. Does anyone know if the axles in the kit 3W1Z-4A109-AA come with the wheel studs already installed in the flange?
Or are you supposed to transfer the old ones/use new ones?

Thanks,

KevinB

[RoyLPita]

Thanks for your input everyone. Does anyone know if the axles in the kit 3W1Z-4A109-AA come with the wheel studs already installed in the flange?
Or are you supposed to transfer the old ones/use new ones?

Thanks,

KevinB

Kevin,
The kit includes:
all new studs on each of the shafts,
2 axle seals,
2 axle bearings,
3 bottles of 75-140 fluid,
1 tube of rtv,
and a tag for the cover saying "synthetic fluid only".
One bottle of friction modifier is required but not included in the kit.

[Georges93LX]

Kevin,
The kit includes:
all new studs on each of the shafts,
2 axle seals,
2 axle bearings,
3 bottles of 75-140 fluid,
1 tube of rtv,
and a tag for the cover saying "synthetic fluid only".
One bottle of friction modifier is required but not included in the kit.

I just bought a kit and all items listed above were in the kit. I'm not close to where my kit is but I think a bottle of friction modifier came with it.

[CRUZTAKER]

Some of them (axles) were good. My "early build" went 175K miles on the originals.

I have an Aug '02 build and even though I have been through one LSD (through no one's fault but my own), my axles are fine at 46k.

Dude...that's some low milage on that car. I'd be worried about other compenents from sheer lack of use.

[Paul T. Casey]

I guess I was trying to say if there's no evidence of trouble (noise, vibration, etc.) I'd just leave it alone.