REAR END WARNING

[fredmnn]

WE HAVE FOUND THAT OUR MAJOR REAR END FAILURE WAS DUE TO WATER GETTING INTO THE DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING THROUGH THE VENT HOSE ON A 2006 CHASSIS. THE HOSE WAS LAID ON THE FRAME RAIL WHERE IT COULD SIPHON WATER INTO THE HOUSING. THIS WILL CAUSE PREMATURE WEAR TO THE RING AND PINION AND ALL GEARS AND BEARINGS. ADVISE ALL FORD CHASSIS OWNERS TO CHECK THE DIFFERENTIAL OIL AND VENT IMMEDIATELY. YOU MAY EXPECT A SERVICE BILL APPROACHING 5000 DOLLARS AS YOU MAY EVEN NEED TO REPLACE WHEEL BEARINGS AND AXLES. 2006 MODELS ONLY HAVE 36000 MILE WARRANTY AND YOU MAY NOT NOTICE THE PROBLEM SOON ENOUGH. WILL TRY TO POST PICTURES LATER

[fredmnn]

WE HAVE FOUND THAT OUR MAJOR REAR END FAILURE WAS DUE TO WATER GETTING INTO THE DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING THROUGH THE VENT HOSE ON A 2006 CHASSIS. THE HOSE WAS LAID ON THE FRAME RAIL WHERE IT COULD SIPHON WATER INTO THE HOUSING. THIS WILL CAUSE PREMATURE WEAR TO THE RING AND PINION AND ALL GEARS AND BEARINGS. ADVISE ALL FORD CHASSIS OWNERS TO CHECK THE DIFFERENTIAL OIL AND VENT IMMEDIATELY. YOU MAY EXPECT A SERVICE BILL APPROACHING 5000 DOLLARS AS YOU MAY EVEN NEED TO REPLACE WHEEL BEARINGS AND AXLES. 2006 MODELS ONLY HAVE 36000 MILE WARRANTY AND YOU MAY NOT NOTICE THE PROBLEM SOON ENOUGH. WILL TRY TO POST PICTURES LATER

[billyb]

is this a problem on '07 or '08 models or have they corrected the problem by now.

[NeilV]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by fredmnn:
WE HAVE FOUND THAT OUR MAJOR REAR END FAILURE WAS DUE TO WATER GETTING INTO THE DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING THROUGH THE VENT HOSE ON A 2006 CHASSIS. THE HOSE WAS LAID ON THE FRAME RAIL WHERE IT COULD SIPHON WATER INTO THE HOUSING. THIS WILL CAUSE PREMATURE WEAR TO THE RING AND PINION AND ALL GEARS AND BEARINGS. ADVISE ALL FORD CHASSIS OWNERS TO CHECK THE DIFFERENTIAL OIL AND VENT IMMEDIATELY. YOU MAY EXPECT A SERVICE BILL APPROACHING 5000 DOLLARS AS YOU MAY EVEN NEED TO REPLACE WHEEL BEARINGS AND AXLES. 2006 MODELS ONLY HAVE 36000 MILE WARRANTY AND YOU MAY NOT NOTICE THE PROBLEM SOON ENOUGH. WILL TRY TO POST PICTURES LATER </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Sounds like a factory defect that Ford or the RV manufacturer should be extending coverage on. They lifetime lube their rear axels with a synthetic so there is no real scheduled service on them except for a leak check.

Did you contact the Ford Customer Service Arbitrator to plead your case? Sometimes they can swing things around for you. Especially since the vent was installed incorrectly and caused the failure.

BTW: ALL CAPS is considered SHOUTING and is akin to SCREAMING at everyone.

[tderonne]

My '04 axle had water in it, and other problems, and was "fixed" under warranty before the 3/36 expired. It's noisy again though. Repairs are warrantied for 12 months. I'm hoping I can get it fixed again (and maybe correctly this time) under warranty...

[Tom N]

Water can enter the rear axle housing if the vehicle is parked in a flooded area.

-Tom

[fredmnn]

THE VENT HOSE WAS LAID ON TOP OF THE BOTTOM RAIL OF THE FRAME. THIS MEANT THAT THE END FITTING WAS LAYING RIGHT WHERE WATER WOULD COLLECT INSIDE THE FRAME. SETTING UP THE CLEARANCES OF BACKLASH AND BEARING PRELOAD TAKES A VERY SKILLED MECHANIC WITH A LOT OF TRAIL AND ERROR PATIENCE. IT WOULD BE VERY EASY FOR THE MECHANIC TO MISS THE VENT HOSE PROBLEM. JUST REPLACING THE RING AND PINION PROBABLY WILL NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM OVER THE LONG RUN. WATCH FOR BAD BEARINGS AND AXLE SHAFT GEARS WITH A POSSIBILITY THAT THE AXLE SHAFTS AND WHEEL BEARINGS WILL FAIL. FORD PRICES ARE TERRIBLE IF IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY.

[billyb]

so how do we reposition the vent hose.