Diff bolt

ARC · Sep 7, 2023

Look what we discovered while installing the differential brace?
A bent bolt!
I gotta say while I love this car Ford service and quality are very questionable!
Get under there and check your 3 bolt setups if you have em.

Cdubya · Sep 7, 2023

Hopefully the new part is indeed stronger!

StarWhite22 · Sep 8, 2023

What is the part # for the “new” bolt?

Cdubya · Sep 8, 2023

W720988S439
https://www.explorerst.org/threads/bent-rear-diff-bolt.5574/#post-73115

MikeyP · Sep 8, 2023

This doesn't surprise me at all. Looking at the video Steeda posted with how much the subframe moves during acceleration, I'm surprised these 1-bolts don't snap more.

Cajun Heat · Sep 12, 2023

Ordered a new bolt (W720988S439) on the 8th from eBay for $11.54, it delivered yesterday. Going to crawl under it today and swap it out. Can someone confirm the torque specs of 148 lf/lbs?

WaferTech · Sep 12, 2023

https://www.foexplorer.com/ford_explorer_removal_and_installation_axle_assembly-498.html

Cajun Heat · Sep 12, 2023

WaferTech said:

Thanks for the confirmation on the torque specs.

ARC · Sep 14, 2023

I went until the bolt wouldn't turn anymore!

Kevin_FG23 · Dec 29, 2023

When these bolts finally break, is it a result of fatigue.... where eventually a crack starts and then propagates across the bolt over time? Would it make sense to loosen the bolt a half-turn periodically, then re-torque? Any bend in the bolt should show up as bushing deflection (and/or diff movement) when the bolt rotates.

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Diff bolt

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