Broke Locking Diff Pin in Rear Axle

[dkfc13]

2010 Scab 5.4L 67K miles.

Driving on a back road yesterday and was slowing down to turn onto the freeway when I heard a loud pop. I coasted to the side of the road because the vehicle wouldn't move when I hit the gas.

I took it to the dealer and they said I broke the main pin that holds the locking diff together. This tore-up the entire diff and would cost about $4K to fix.

Does this sound correct? $4K seems like a lot for a new axle let alone parts to fix an existing one. Has anyone else had this issue?

I know ford made some changes to the rear axle in 2013 with larger axle shafts and splines. I dont know if this pin was also upgraded? Not sure why this pin would be the first thing to fail. Something just doesn't seem right. Seems more like the part was bad (poor heat treat, material defect etc..).

I will say I am hesitant to do anything in this truck now if the axle breaks that easily and it costs me $4K to fix.

Any help would be appreciated. Especially since this truck is outside of the factory warranty. Thanks.

 

[TheJoker]

Was the rear diff locked at the time this happened? 4k does sound high.

 

[dkfc13]

Was the rear diff locked at the time this happened? 4k does sound high.

No it was not. I just purchased the truck from a Ford Dealer in Ohio (used obviously) on Friday. Broke the axle on Sunday. I have yet to lock the rear diff since I purchased the truck.

I asked my local Michigan Ford dealer (where the truck is being serviced) if the diff lock might have engaged on is own (possibly causing the failure). I was told that it was hard to tell. She said the tires were not burnt up so she could see I wasn't doing burn outs etc... but she couldn't tell me why they thought the part failed.

 

[Hockster]

2010 Scab 5.4L 67K miles.

Driving on a back road yesterday and was slowing down to turn onto the freeway when I heard a loud pop. I coasted to the side of the road because the vehicle wouldn't move when I hit the gas.

I took it to the dealer and they said I broke the main pin that holds the locking diff together. This tore-up the entire diff and would cost about $4K to fix.

Does this sound correct? $4K seems like a lot for a new axle let alone parts to fix an existing one. Has anyone else had this issue?

I know ford made some changes to the rear axle in 2013 with larger axle shafts and splines. I dont know if this pin was also upgraded? Not sure why this pin would be the first thing to fail. Something just doesn't seem right. Seems more like the part was bad (poor heat treat, material defect etc..).

I will say I am hesitant to do anything in this truck now if the axle breaks that easily and it costs me $4K to fix.

Any help would be appreciated. Especially since this truck is outside of the factory warranty. Thanks.

4K is way way over priced!!! Shit Id call SDHQ and see what they would charge. I bet it cheaper to drive the truck out ther and have them fix it!!! ha ha ha... But really 4k sounds like a ripoff to me. Need to have the break down form the dealer. parts + labor + 4k... need to now what parts cost is. Cant believe its more than 1k parts. Unless the would axle is torn up. Shit if that the case then just look for a used one and have it rebuilt before you install it.

 

[dkfc13]

4K is way way over priced!!! Shit Id call SDHQ and see what they would charge. I bet it cheaper to drive the truck out ther and have them fix it!!! ha ha ha... But really 4k sounds like a ripoff to me. Need to have the break down form the dealer. parts + labor + 4k... need to now what parts cost is. Cant believe its more than 1k parts. Unless the would axle is torn up. Shit if that the case then just look for a used one and have it rebuilt before you install it.

I cannot drive the vehicle - it wont move. I would need to have it towed.

I was told just to assemble/disassemble the axle it would cost $800 (if they didn't fix anything - just diagnostics).

I asked about a replacement axle and they said they could get a used one. Ford doesn't sell replacement axles so they would need to purchase all the parts and assemble one (why the price is so high).

Looks like a reman axle will cost about $3500 (ebay). If I have them rebuild the one I have they will be using Ford parts.

 

[TheJoker]

If you just bought the truck, I would think that you would have some type of recourse with the seller. Was the sale "as is"? 4 grand is very high, sounds like a Raptor sur-charge / luxury tax.

 

[Baddkarmaracing]

just take the truck to your local reputable offroad shop and have them put a new gear set in it with an eaton e locker.....

and that's assuming that it actually needs a gear set

 

[dkfc13]

If you just bought the truck, I would think that you would have some type of recourse with the seller. Was the sale "as is"? 4 grand is very high, sounds like a Raptor sur-charge / luxury tax.

I have been in contact with the dealer that sold me the truck. Problem is, since this is the holiday season, the people I need to talk to are taking vacation days which is delaying this process. My service dealer closes at 2 today and the sales manager and the selling dealer doesn't get in until 2:30.

Hopefully the selling dealer will help me out. I have a feeling they were cut pretty thin on the sale of this truck. They did make me a deal since I purchased it before the year end.

At this point I am just trying to gather information in case the selling dealer wont/cant help.

*Sorry forgot to add that the truck was sold "AS IS" since the factory warranty had expired. Still, I dont think this is something that should happen is 67K miles. The truck (sport trac) I traded in had 192K and no axle issues what-so-ever. Still I am glad the axle went and not the trasmission.*

 

[Hockster]

What Joker said!! A friend here in Va bought a used escape and the engine went bad the 3rd week he had it the dealer he bought it from paid 90% of the repair but he had to take the vehicle to a dealer the seller said for the repair.

 

[dkfc13]

What Joker said!! A friend here in Va bought a used escape and the engine went bad the 3rd week he had it the dealer he bought it from paid 90% of the repair but he had to take the vehicle to a dealer the seller said for the repair.

Thank you. That is good news. I did purchase from a Ford dealer and it is being serviced from another Ford dealer. Hopefully they will help me out.