Rear Axle Break

I have a 2003 Sport, fully loaded.
Just an update to this axle issue. I am in Ontario Canada, and received a recall from Ford this week to have the rear axle inspected.
They are promising a rental car if axle needs to be replaced. There is no expiry date to the recall. Recall # 10S13

I just recieved a recall letter in the mail for the rear axle on my 01

Just checking in. My 1999 w/146 K miles had corrosion pits forming. They offered 2340 which I feel is too low, especially as I just put new tires and front brakes on it, just got all the parts together to redo the front of the engine (water pump, alternator, pullies, etc.) as a preventative measure, and just got a new ABS module to fix the ABS warning light issue, and completely rebuilt the front suspension this past summer. I had done the harness and brake switch replacement long before the recall.

Not sure what to do at this point - had planned to use this as a to/from work local roads only car until it would not go any more.

It would appear others are thinking their offer too low:
http://www.city-data.com/forum/automotive/1118212-1998-2003-ford-windstar-recall-re.html

Highest I've heard of is 3400, if that is what I was offered I'd consider it. I look at keeping older cars running (a hobby of mine) as a better way to save the environment than buying and drving any Hybrid, seeing how it takes about the same energy to build a car as it does to fuel it for 100 K miles (200 K worth of energy for a hybrid to mine the nickel for the batteries).

LTDzak

Whew! My wife just called from the Ford service dept. "Her" 2000 Windstar was just checked after we received the recall notice. The rear axle is ok, I don't know what they did (reinforce, etc) but at least we got it back.

I did get her to ask about any subframe recalls and it's not showing up for her van...not yet anyways. They (service dept) did say that for now, they're only recalling older Windstars for subframe inspection.

(Now I gotta get back and try and find time to remove the cowl and find that misfire.)

Nobody Knows

I thought I'd be glad you went away,
But these four doors close in more every day.
And I'm dying inside
And nobody knows it but me.
Since this recall I just don't know
To wait for parts or just let it go.
I'm crying inside, and nobody knows it but me.
Why didn't I spray the things I needed to spray?
How could I let my Windstar rust away?
Now my axle is just tumbling down.
I can see it so clearly, but there's no help around.

Nights are boring, days are so sad.
I just keep thinking about the Windstar I had.
I'm missing you, and nobody knows it but me.

How blue can I get?
You could ask my heart,
Just like a Windstar axle it's been torn all apart.
A million words couldn't say just how I feel,
A million miles from now you know, I'll be loving you still.

Nights are boring, days are so sad.
I just keep thinking about the Windstar I had.
I'm missing you, and nobody knows it but me.

LOL, you write a poem for this axle break problem :).
Very very nice!

YAY! My '01 with a 114,000 miles passed the inspection. I was beginning to dread having to deal with Ford about a buy-back if the axle was cracked.

lol glad you liked it sagre:) Has anyone been paid yet through the buyback? My fax was sent in over two weeks ago, and the dealership said I should get a packet from Ford in the mail, then I bring it in. No idea how long the process should be, but I would like something I can take ownership of again instead of this rental. If anybody knows any info on the buyback program I would greatly appreciate it. My brother-in-law had a Toyota when they recalled them, and it seems he was only in a rental for a week before getting his money and new truck. Thanks!

the dealer in my town is backed up with windstars with broken axles...more common than you think,,,,

I have an appointment for January 4th, and my dealership said they've got quite a pile of windstars building up on the back lot. I'm in Salt Lake City Utah, and real curious to find out next week if this is going to be the end of my Windstar problems or just going to make things worse.

Found a few groups discussing the recall on facebook
Link (http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_141417465910005)
Link (http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=22166130048&topic=18384)
Link (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ford-Windstar/109598365726214?sk=wall)


Ford President & CEO - Alan Roger Mulally

Link (http://www.facebook.com/AlanMulallyFans)



Youtube videos on the recall.
Link (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=windstar+recall&aq=f)

There's an amazing video of the rear axle break in real time. It really worth to see it:
You see many points of view of how it breaks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4X6x_T1U-U&feature=related