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Rear end damage
- Thread starter Chrispw24
- Start date
I'm going to assume this is a prototype. If not, my opinion is the slotted holes being used to mount the "brace" to the differential are problematic. Think about the differential's movement under torque- it's going to want to rotate upwards from the driveshaft end and downward from the rear view (we'll ignore any right-left "twist" due to gear engagement). Therefore, the downward movement of the diff is not limited due to the slotted mounts. It looks as if it's using some sort of bushing (the red part). A bushing like that should work under a compression load, not tension.
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The only way to really fix this issue is to replace the subframe with the earlier design that allowed for both bolts. I just can't imagine Ford purposely deleting one bolt in an area where it is sorely needed. Maybe it was a supplier screw-up and the powers-that-be decided to use what they had just to keep production running. Of course they will pay for it in some instances, but there are probably a large amount of vehicles out there that won't have any problems. All about $$$$$.
It's all just conjecture. But bear in mind the fragmented production environment of the 2021 models.
It is equally likely that the re-engineered version is perfectly fine, but a batch of bolts weren't heat treated correctly causing them to fail. Or that the anecdotal evidence from the people who've experienced the problem was misstated so as to cover their ass for their own negligence. Or, an engineer seeking a bonus found a way to save a few bucks but screwed up a simulation/math. Or a supplier had Covid issues which forced a quick change.
Until you see dozens of these fail, it's hard to come to a conclusion. But, when you look at the amount of money it takes to correct the ensuing assembly failures, it's hard for me to believe that Ford did this for some nefarious purpose.
However, if you have a single bolt diff and someone engineers a solution for it, good for them.
It is equally likely that the re-engineered version is perfectly fine, but a batch of bolts weren't heat treated correctly causing them to fail. Or that the anecdotal evidence from the people who've experienced the problem was misstated so as to cover their ass for their own negligence. Or, an engineer seeking a bonus found a way to save a few bucks but screwed up a simulation/math. Or a supplier had Covid issues which forced a quick change.
Until you see dozens of these fail, it's hard to come to a conclusion. But, when you look at the amount of money it takes to correct the ensuing assembly failures, it's hard for me to believe that Ford did this for some nefarious purpose.
However, if you have a single bolt diff and someone engineers a solution for it, good for them.
Actually, and from some easy digging, it appears this "single-bolt" subrame is the one used in the base model Explorers that don't have the power of the ST. Here is one I found online from a 2.3 Explorer:
When I put my VIN in the Ford parts system (or searched for all ST models), the "dual-bolt" subframe is still the only one listed. Granted, the Ford catalog can be full of errors, but I imagine the weaker version being used is a screw-up at the plant. Somehow, these got mixed in, rather than it being an "updated" part.
Yes, there are two more mounted vertically on either side of the differential housing.
When I put my VIN in the Ford parts system (or searched for all ST models), the "dual-bolt" subframe is still the only one listed. Granted, the Ford catalog can be full of errors, but I imagine the weaker version being used is a screw-up at the plant. Somehow, these got mixed in, rather than it being an "updated" part.
Yes, there are two more mounted vertically on either side of the differential housing.
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