Axle Issue - Need Help/Advice ASAP

[HotRaud90]

Anyone have any recommendations on replacement axles for an 03? There's a chance I might need to replace mine when I get the rear end checked out today. I would tell the shop what kind I want ordered.

Not looking to upgrade to 31 spline right now. Keeping it at 28 since I'm N/A. Just want to make sure quality stuff that's gonna last is being put in if need be. I don't want just anything that fits put back there. Thanks.

[merc]

Anyone have any recommendations on replacement axles for an 03? There's a chance I might need to replace mine when I get the rear end checked out today. I would tell the shop what kind I want ordered.

Not looking to upgrade to 31 spline right now. Keeping it at 28 since I'm N/A. Just want to make sure quality stuff that's gonna last is being put in if need be. I don't want just anything that fits put back there. Thanks.

The crown vic in 05 changed to 31 spline axles and those cars were N/A with less rear wheel power.

[MOTOWN]

I have a set of used 28 spline Ford axles in excellent condition if you need them

[HotRaud90]

The crown vic in 05 changed to 31 spline axles and those cars were N/A with less rear wheel power.

I understand. Just a cost issue right now.


I have a set of used 28 spline Ford axles in excellent condition if you need them

I might hit you up if I need them. Are they 03 or 04? Don't want more soft axles :shake: Might have to go elsewhere though. Don't want to wait a long time for them to shipped, no knock on you.

[MOTOWN]

I understand. Just a cost issue right now.



I might hit you up if I need them. Are they 03 or 04? Don't want more soft axles :shake: Might have to go elsewhere though. Don't want to wait a long time for them to shipped, no knock on you.

They are 04s

[HotRaud90]

Alright, update. But first, a little back story.

I dropped the car off on Friday and explained the situation. Said I wanted gears done along with all the differential bearings (had the Ford install kit with the gears). I said I had heard a rumble in the rear end that started a couple weeks so I wanted them to take a look at everything in the rear end just to be safe. I asked them to contact me if anything extra like axles or axle bearings were in order. I wasn't sure if it was going to need them or not. Shop owner (reputable Mustang/Speed shop in the area) said yeah no problem, we'll let you know if it needs anything else other than what you came in for.

Today I called the shop to see what the estimated time of completion would be. He said oh yeah, we finished up a little while ago. I asked about how it looked in there and he said the axles were all ate up and they had to be replaced so he ordered some. So I'm already thinking "WTH thanks a lot for 'letting me know'". I ask what the pricing was on the axles and he was like uh, I think they were like a 100 and somethin each, I honestly don't remember. I just went ahead and ordered 'em cause it needed new axles.

Wow. Thanks a lot. I even said if it did need new axles or anything like that, I wanted to be notified so I could have them order what I wanted. Instead, I got no call, no notification it needed axles, and I don't know what they put in there. I was in my work parking lot and had to head inside at the end of the call so I couldn't wait around on the phone.

I'm thinkin about givin them a piece of my mind when I get in to pay for it and pick it up tomorrow. Any thoughts?

[RF Overlord]

I even said if it did need new axles or anything like that, I wanted to be notified so I could have them order what I wanted. Unfortunately, you didn't get that in writing, so it's your word against theirs.

You should at least let them know you don't appreciate the way this was handled and that you are going to tell everyone you know to get everything in writing if dealing with them.

[HotRaud90]

Unfortunately, you didn't get that in writing, so it's your word against theirs.

You should at least let them know you don't appreciate the way this was handled and that you are going to tell everyone you know to get everything in writing if dealing with them.

The copy of the bill of services that was handed to me did not include anything about axles. It says something to the extent of "ring and pinion swap with all bearings replaced" as the services that would be provided.

I was never consulted about the axles and what I wanted to do. Should I complain about that? I don't want them to hit me with some stupid price for products I never ok'd to go into my car.

[Mr. Man]

The copy of the bill of services that was handed to me did not include anything about axles. It says something to the extent of "ring and pinion swap with all bearings replaced" as the services that would be provided.

I was never consulted about the axles and what I wanted to do. Should I complain about that? I don't want them to hit me with some stupid price for products I never ok'd to go into my car.
Seems to me you need to verify what exactly they did and didn't do.

[Logizyme]

You need to authorize any repairs done to your vehicle. If the original repair order had only "Ring and Pinon, and bearings" and you did not authorize additional repairs, in writing or verbally(including over the phone) then you are not obligated to pay for the repairs.

[HotRaud90]

Seems to me you need to verify what exactly they did and didn't do.

I'm headin into the shop in the mornin to see what's really up. Face to face, I don't feel like dealin over the phone about it.


You need to authorize any repairs done to your vehicle. If the original repair order had only "Ring and Pinon, and bearings" and you did not authorize additional repairs, in writing or verbally(including over the phone) then you are not obligated to pay for the repairs.

I specifically told the owner of the shop, in person mind you, that I wanted a call in case anything like axles or axle bearings or anything else related needed replacing. Told them I wanted the opportunity to tell them what I wanted put in the car. I mentioned axles, but I never said go ahead and do it if it needs it. I remember telling him to let me know. I let him know that I was very particular about the car and I was wary of leaving without knowing of everything that might need replacing. Of course that is all verbal and not written, but I do have the written bill of services stating that gears and all bearings were to be replaced in the differential.


This sounds like an uncomfortable but necessary confrontation is in order tomorrow...

[lji372]

Next time you take your car somewhere and want them to use your parts I recommend having your parts on hand. While I agree you should have been notified, but they have a hoist they need to clear for the next car. They do not have time to store cars while the customers orders parts and waits for shipping. Just my .02

[HotRaud90]

Next time you take your car somewhere and want them to use your parts I recommend having your parts on hand. While I agree you should have been notified, but they have a joist they need to clear for the next car. They do not have time to store cars while the customers orders parts and waits for shipping. Just my .02

Correct, they do have a business to run. However, my car is part of their business and I want the work done right. I would not waste their time scratchin my butt and figurin out what parts I wanted on my own time frame. If they had called me, I would've collaborated with them to order parts through their business that I had cleared to be used on the car. Mind you, this is a custom speed shop that deals in all sorts of custom parts and labor. Not some average joe "we do it all" shop. I expect more.

You are right about having your own parts. However, there was no way of knowing all of what I needed until they tore it all apart to take a look. I did bring them gears, install kit and lube. Only part in question was axles.

I've been gettin the run around tryin to find a shop (that I trust) to do the work for a couple months now. It's just frustratin.

[lji372]

I feel your pain on trusted shops.

Let me give a big shout out NOT to use Walsh motorsports in michigan!!!

[Badass_forever]

don't jump the gun. they might have ordered you some good axles, being a mustang shop i'm just they know what they are doing, If they just installed a rear gear for you and it doesnt make any noise, count your self as one of the luckiest people alive... I cannot tell you how many "shops" cannot install gears correct.

[babbage]

If it needed new axles, then there should also be new bearings and seals.

Sounds like they charged you for something that wasn't installed.

[HotRaud90]

Here's the short version:

Talked to the shop owner, told him I was displeased with the way things went down on the repairs. Told him I understand if something needs to be replaced, it needs to be replaced...but I should've been notified before anything was done. He said he thought we had discussed the fact that I wanted axles put in if it did indeed need them. Essentially came down to a bunch of I thought this, this is what I thought I made clear...blah blah. I told him I was unhappy about not being contacted about work done on the car. Told him I would've ok'd the work but would've liked to source some parts as I was able to get them cheaper.

He ordered Dorman axles that came with bearings and seals. $185 and change A PIECE. Ouch. $%&@#& :mad2: Total cost including all parts and labor to do the gears, replace all the innards of the differential, and axles with bearings and seals? Almost $1,200 :eek:

Literally the only thing keepin me from goin up in flames is the thought that my car is now back in proper working order and now has 4.10s and everything seems to be installed properly. Once I break them in, I hope the rush of the 4.10s is enough to make me happy :depress:

[babbage]

Rockauto sells the Dorman axles with bearings and seals (what you got) for 87.00 each. (2) axles with shipping is $196 ish..

I'd change the gear oil after 3 heat cycles or 300 miles, did you get a diff cover installed too? (lot easier to change gear oil)

Phosphorus coating on the gear and ring etc gets burned off during break in, plus it's good to empty and refill after any failure to get any remaining metal particulate out of the rear end.

Last time I did this, I bought all the parts and paid $300 labor(cash) another reason to just replace it all...

Sorry you didn't make out as good as you wanted. Good luck.