My axle melted and broke after getting a service and some work done. I have been told that it was caused by the wheel bearings being over tightened and/or no oil in the diff. Also that when checking the bearings you have to replace the seals as they can't be reused, doing so would also lead to the oil loss and subsequent meltdown. Have a photo of the axle but where do I load it.

 

You melted an axle? Check with one of the mods to help you with the pics, we gotta see this.

 

Is this the front or rear axel we are talking about...andyea I would also love to see pics. of this.

Ive ben in the shop for 18 years now, and own and operate my own shop and never seen this.

Sarge

 

Contacted a moderator but will have to wait till I am allowed to attach pictures. Rear Axle. When they pulled out the axel/axle there was a steady stream of "experts" offering opinions as to the cause. Is not my field of expertise but the candlewax appearance does indicate some extreme heat. Also the axle has taken on a bluish tinge where the bearing once was.

 

That thing had to make some kind of noise and smoke when it was going out, didn't you notice it?

 

Having experience of blown rear differential just few months ago, I can relate to the situation. In my case I changed the oil just 10k miles before and I had perfectly dry differential. Still the bearing come apart taking the gears with it. The failure happened without any warning, when I was towing empty trailer. The truck had about 230k at the time and I have some remarks that PO neglected the differential oil checking.
In your case sounds like a shop messed up the service?
You can download picture on this forum after meting post quota, or use hotlinking to other albums.

 

You melted an axle? This I gotta see.

 

Here is a way to post images...
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...-pictures.html

or go to a site like photobucket upload the image there, then copy and paste the image code in your thread here. Resize it so it's not some monster size picture.

 

Have a photo at SportzVault: Truck Campers Australia
2 more under the news item ouch

 

That baby got hot you couldn't feel the bearing going before hand? I've had bearing go and cook the seals then take the hub out because I couldn't get off the road quick enough.

 

Here's the pics. Sorry bout not getting them up sooner Garry.

 

thats bizare!!!

 

Off topic... You have a NICE Super Duty!



On topic... it must have been the Australian HEAT that killed the rear axle!

 

When they pulled the rear cover did any fluid come out?

Either some one didn't fill the diff with fluid after service or like mentioned it all leaked out. If it all leaked out of the cover thee would have been oil spots of the ground or puddles. If it leaked out the axles seals there would have been smoke, smell, and slight brake fade. If it were the axle seals I don't think enough could leak out to cause that kind of damage. We have axle seals go out on our trucks all the time and I normally put off the work until the truck needs something else and we have yet to replace a bearing or have an axle failure.

So I pretty much have to say some one didn't fill the diff. If there was any fluid in the diff at all it would be enough to keep the bearing and axle cool enough where it would not have 'melted'. An axle seal will not leak enough fluid for that to happen.

 

any pics of the hub disassembled ?