2000 Rear axle repair - prevent

Hi folks,

I have 95 3.0i Windstar and 2000 3.0i one as Well. There were no frame issues discovered on 95 models but I'm considering the issues on 2000 model so far. Especially the rear axle stuff and front subframe corrosion issues.

Please does anybody have some photos, hints, tips how to prevent rear axle to crack? Mine looks OK, but as I saw some pictures, some of the cracked axles looked fine as well.

There are no Recals on these in Europe nor in Czech Rep, where the Windstar was not sold as a brand new vehicle. We are driving in salty conditions all the winter here.

I should weld some parts, order some existing refinements etc.

Thanks for hints, MarPac.

I would wash the area of suspected failure ... and apply a thick coat of rust preventive paint or body mastic. Then keep an eye on it. You might want to shield the area from dripping water down from above by installing mastic, or even a metal foil shield, on the frame.

I have yet to do this to my own '99, but its on my "list". I have procured a replacement front sub frame and have applied additional paint to it ... just have not installed it yet. In my section of the country there is little road-salt used. However, my sub-frame has been bent severely by impacts with road stones. I intend to remove the rear axle and give it a "treatment" also.

I took my Windstar to a garrage to paint all the underbody with Dinitrol stuff to protect against of stones and corrosion last month. All the inside space was filled with some Dinitrol Wax. The rear and front sub frame was painted as well, but I'm wondering what should happen from inside the U profile which was used for rear axle. There was no problem from outside as I looked before painting. Maybe I should install some additional long U profile with some brackets from the bottom so if the axle fails, it will not be divided to 2 parts so I can stop the van safelly.

Is there anybody who improoved the rear axle stability adding some metal?

I have seen photos of axles that were suspected to be close to failure ... but that had not yet failed. It appeared to me that the corrosion was "from outside to in". And yes, some have added steel straps to axles that appeared to be on the path to failure. But, for me, until corrosion begins to show on the outside of the axle ... I think I am safe, and need no more immediate correction.

OK, thanks for an opinion I'll take care of it some times.

I have one old style rear axle here from 97Windstar. What about to change it and install old one? Does it fit?