Forum Discussion

mosseater's avatar
mosseater
Explorer II
May 12, 2015

It is with great sadness....

...that I tell you all of the demise of my rear axle.

Sig picture '07 F-150 w/HD payload package 4.10 rear, took the pit today. After driving at highway speed for about 30 miles with no issues (not towing) I pulled into my local archery shop to get my bow restrung. Upon leaving I made it about 2 miles without going over 30 mph and WHAMMO! Crunch, crunch, grind. I limped back to the parking lot I started from and called CoachNet and within 25 min they had a roll back there and even dropped me at work on the way to the Ford dealer.

Lots of reasons why this could have happened at 117,000 miles. The first and easiest would be the approximately 20,000 miles towing at near max and even slightly over GCWR. I can't say for sure this was the cause, but may be the most likely. 'Course, all it really takes is to have a gear not properly heat treated from the factory, or too much/too little backlash, or improper pattern. Who can say. I'm not afraid to run it hard, but I don't beat it. Certainly wasn't beating it today.

Good news is, I didn't grenade it all over the highway so maybe damage will be minimal. Also, didn't happen while on a trip towing the trailer. Also, finally got to use the CoachNet service I've been paying for for many years. And last but not least, I DIDN'T opt for the $1900 extended warranty which would have run out long ago anyhow. Wouldn't be for the cost of a new dif, I wouldn't have minded so much. Estimate coming soon. Hold on to your hat pins. Film at 11.

38 Replies