NHTSA Safety Recall (23V-896) on 113,000 F-150 Trucks with Trailer Tow Max Duty Package

[scott011422]

I truly appreciate your explanation. Bearing play can only be detected when axle bolt is absent. Therefore, if bearing have some play, it will cause an undue stress on the axle bolt.

Can you explain? That bolt should have no bearing on bearing play.

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[Unicorn]

If one wishes to check for bearing play by moving the wheel flange, it couldn’t move unless the axle bolt is absent. My understanding is, the axle bolt would hide a potential bearing play. If this is correct, a potential bearing play adds an undesired force on the axle bolt. No play = no stress on the axle bolt; bearing play = stress on the axle bolt.

Would be interesting to purposely install a hub with an axle bearing gone bad, the axle bolt torqued to specs, go for a test run and see how long the axle bolt would last.

 

[scott011422]

For that to be true, The press fit on the axle shaft would have to not only be bad, but bad enough to have axial play. As it is now, the axle shaft is pressed into the hub. That bolt is redundant.

 

[Ed21]

on a related note, if the axle bearing goes bad in the future, it seems easy to change. Buy the hub assembly with the axle bearing already in it. Remove 4 hub bolts and 1 axle bolt then the whole hub assembly comes out.

P.S. Last step regarding axle bolt may not need to be performed.

 

[scott011422]

P.S. Last step regarding axle bolt may not need to be performed.

YES! i think thats what Unicorn is thinking!

Unicorn, the axle shaft is attached TO THE HUB. they come as an assembly.

 

[Buyer2021]

Posting again just FYI, the WSM procedures for axle shaft and hub R&R.

All indications are that when a dealer orders the parts to fix a broken bolt, they receive that axle shaft + hub assembly + bolt, all pre-assembled and ready to 'slide into the axle housing'. The recall dealer notice document lists only one PN for left and one PN for right for that complete assembly.

 

[Unicorn]

Gents,
Your explanations are encouraging me to go on a multi-week overland trip out west with my camper, in May. Thanks.

 

[Buyer2021]

Gents,
Your explanations are encouraging me to go on a multi-week overland trip out west with my camper, in May. Thanks.

By all means, just do it.

I'm departing home near Austin on March 22 for a 30-day trip with main destinations being Dead Horse Point Utah State Park, Arches National Park, and Chaco Canyon National Historic Park (~2500 miles total).

Not gonna be fretting some damned axle bolt, if anything happens I'll deal with it by hook or crook.

Edit - yes, I'm carrying two replacement bolts (ML3Z19S426A)

 

[Jeff1024]

Dropped my F150 off this AM. It was funny, when I setup the appointment I told the service advisor I had a loud squeaking from the rear end and had found the bolt broken off in the wheel.

When I dropped it off she said "So you have a squeaking and a bolt backed out?" I handed her the sheared bolt and said backed out or snapped in half either way.

She laughed, said oh THAT bolt, yeah we have seen this before. We will get you fixed up.

No idea on timeline, expect a call once they get it on the lift I guess. I did ask them to look at / fix / apply the recall to both sides.

We will see what happens.

 

[Jeff1024]

So got the truck back. Dealer had it about 4 hours. They replaced both axels. Must have been a NASCAR pit crew working today.

For those curious new part numbers are

ML3Z-4234-H
ML3Z-4234-J

For some reason they also replaced 4 Caliper Bolts - W718680-S439?

We will see how long these go, maybe another 15k lol.

 

[tbinmd]

For some reason they also replaced 4 Caliper Bolts - W718680-S439?

According to the shop manual, caliper bolts are replaced when removed. So they followed procedure.

 

[Jeff1024]

According to the shop manual, caliper bolts are replaced when removed. So they followed procedure.

Had no idea they were one time use, today I learned.

Thanks.

 

[pjstud1v]

By all means, just do it.

I'm departing home near Austin on March 22 for a 30-day trip with main destinations being Dead Horse Point Utah State Park, Arches National Park, and Chaco Canyon National Historic Park (~2500 miles total).

Not gonna be fretting some damned axle bolt, if anything happens I'll deal with it by hook or crook.

Edit - yes, I'm carrying two replacement bolts (ML3Z19S426A)

FWIW, I bought home my new Winnebago 2301BHS with the axle bolt broken. I didn’t want to do it, but it was 160 miles of trailering and I had no issues. My repairs will be done next week.

 

[boy racer]

So got the truck back. Dealer had it about 4 hours. They replaced both axels. Must have been a NASCAR pit crew working today.

For those curious new part numbers are

ML3Z-4234-H
ML3Z-4234-J

For some reason they also replaced 4 Caliper Bolts - W718680-S439?

We will see how long these go, maybe another 15k lol.

Same thing here except mine took two days, dropped it off yesterday, was done by 10:00 am today. Same procedures and part numbers. Definitely much quicker than I thought it would be.

 

[tcp]

Another victim reporting in. Checked at 70200 miles before a 3500 mile 2 weeklong road trip. Came back and thought I heard some rattling noise in the back, checked today and same as everyone else! Rear driver side sheared off. Thought I was the special one without the problem.

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