Broken axle...and hopefully not more...

[pgtatx]

Well...I broke an axle.

Crappy ford parts...it happened while pulling out of a toll booth here in NJ, and therrwas ice in there and I got some slight wheel spin, and then a clicking/clanking noise. I want to see the axle after it's out cause I believe the splines werer completely stripped...cause the car no longer moves.

The tranny is being checked, cause I fear the differential may have gone too...but i have a quaife in my garage...so no worries.

I hate the cougar...after all my body problems, now this.

[MeccaManx2]

that sucks...i hope that doesnt happen to me during this weekend at the track.

[Y2Kat]

Check out www.driveshaftshop.com ( I think that's the URL) they had axles for the Coug (Level 3) pretty cheap

[bnoon]

Usually the splines don't strip, the axle stubs themselves break or the hub snaps off of the spindle. Believe me, I've seen several of Buckshot's do this...

[pgtatx]

I'll look at it afterwards and see if I can get some pics. But either way...it sucks. It should have never happened. It was a slow launch and I didn;t even let the clutch out all the way. Because of the wheel spin. And I'm making just over 200hp at the crank as dynoed. But this sucks...

[Kinger]

Glad I got stage 2's :biggrin:

[exigent]

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.....

Ford does NOT make our axles.. I know who does too and Im not saying... I know I know... Ford spec'd them so its STILL thier fault here...


Come on guys... Its time to take a break on the Ford bashing. They chose axles that are actually VERY good for less then 200hp... when is the last time you heard of someone breaking an axle? Lets face it... pgtatx is putting down a BIT more then stock power levels...

Remember... they could have put better axles in it... but then the car would cost more. Right?

[pgtatx]

If they used a better differential, then there would be less wheelhop, and split power to both wheels, and therefore less axle breakage, at least in theory.

But I have to bash Ford every once in a while cause I believe they use parts that are questionable, and even if they know there is a problem, they just kinda forget about it. All car companies do it...but I've been through many fords.

Well, its being fixed as we speak...I'll have all details from the shop tomorrow. I was gonna do the change myself, but I wanted the shop to check the tranny to make sure it was not damaged.

[DemonSVT]

Originally posted by: pgtatx
If they used a better differential, then there would be less wheelhop, and split power to both wheels, and therefore less axle breakage, at least in theory.
Explain that one! Maybe if they equipped all MTX-75's with an LSD unit. However any open diff will create the same torque split as any other.

Ford even utilitized an intermediate shaft for the axles so each one would be of equal length. This helps with torque steer and torque transfer (I.E less potential wheel hop)

The SVT had beefier roll resistors added (are they not standard on the Cougar as well?) and even a stab-o-shock to help with driveline lash.

Also wheel hop is also effected by tire traction, motor/trans mount arrangement and composition, and suspension. Since we all like the handling characteristics of this platform; are we now going to blame Ford for it causing more wheel hop then a softly sprung and milder designed suspension geometery would do.

So basically our want of a car that handles very well, has tires to do such with, a manual transmission, and ever increasing power is our own undoing. Damn Ford for giving us such an option to choose. ;) :biggrin:

BTW - My axles are holding up just fine (KNOCK ON WOOD!) & lord knows if anyone should have broken them it's me. :evil:

[pgtatx]

Thank you for explaining what I already knew.

I was speaking of the use of a LSD in the car, and basically just adding something to my wish list for all ford vehicles, as my next car is going to be a Mazda.

My axle broke from wheelspin as there was no actual hop. If I had equal traction on both wheels, It wouls have never broken. I can't believe how simply it broke.

Either way, I have never broken an axle before on any Ford built car. Which is why I'm pissed how this happened. Atleast I could've been on the strip launching at 3K. I was pulling out of a dman toll booth, which I hate anyway and think are useless traffic makers, but that's a different story.

I guess it's motor mount time, and LSD time too...then I'm finished with the damn car. I should list my body problems too, if you want to talk about bad made ford products. Either way again, I don't know if I could ever own anything but a Ford. I mean of course a Porsche, BMW, or any other exotic car would be great, but I like fords. I've never had any major problems, just a million minor ones.

Oh well...

[MaStaMooN]

Jeremy.. You just need to loose a couple pounds dude :biggrin: ;) You cant blame your car for trying... It would be like Pete trying to pull you in a wagon, im sure something on him would break!! hahaha

J/P'n man... Sucks to hear about your car.. But i would take this chance and do a couple drivetrain upgrades.. that clutch, flywheel, and LSD are just waiting for ya.. and get some of those upraded axels too!!

[pgtatx]

Well...As of now...the axle we thought it was is fine...SO the other one is being checked, and the tranny will be too.

The car is under warranty, and I am going to have it fixed under warranty. I hope to get a new tranny out of it...then later on I'll worry about the install of the lsd, clutch and flywheel.

So now can I say Ford sucks...their trannies suck.

[Rikenbomb]

Remember this is still an economy based vehicle. If you wanted something to perform better you will have to shell more out of your pocket. This is why mustangs and other performance based vehicles have beefed up parts. Simply because they know Hi-Po parts will more than likely be installed.

Than again who knows, perhaps you just had a defective part. It happens. It could've been worse.

Hope everything works out for you. Keep us informed on what happens and any aftermarket parts do get installed.

[pgtatx]

My vehicle is not for economy...I get 21mpg maybe a max of 23mpg... :)

The reason I'm pissed is cause this happened at a normal slow start, with no revs, and I never even let the clutch out all the way. And I don't even launch hard ever...damn snow/ice.

Oh well...If all goes as planned I'll take the new tranny from Ford/Mercury underwarranty, then when I get my car back rip it out, rip it apart, and do everything I want to it.

Should be fun.

And if I was going to shell out anymore money on a car, I'd go to my friend at the BMW dealer and get my M5. Of course that's just a little more money :)

Oh well...:banghead: