Has anybody broken an axle while off-roading/'wheeling in 4Lo?

[shinysideup2]

Have any of you pushed your Expedition while off-roading or towing to the point where you've broken drivetrain or axle parts? I'm trying to figure out where the weak points are in our drivetrain/axles so I can carry spare parts in case a field repair is needed. U-joints? CV joints? Half-axles?

I've heard that the Integrated Wheel End (IWE) system (front hubs) can break under heavy rearward load in 4Lo, causing the front wheel to stop moving (i.e. can't limp the vehicle home). This was on an F-150. But I understand the front IWE hubs are the same on our Expeditions. Have any of you had catastrophic problems with your IWE that left you stranded?

Thanks in advance for any relevant information.

 

[JExpedition07]

I have taken my stock 07’ off road many times on some pretty hostile closed roads/ trails etc. I’ve never had a major hard part/ drivetrain failure related. I have had issues with hub actuators and the IWE solonoid. I replaced both IWEs, Check valve, Solonoid. If you are doing serious extended off roading I’d carry a spare set of IWEs on the truck if I were you.

 

[shinysideup2]

Thanks @JExpedition07 . What are the ballpark costs of these parts that you've replaced?

I have taken my stock 07’ off road many times on some pretty hostile closed roads/ trails etc. I’ve never had a major hard part/ drivetrain failure related. I have had issues with hub actuators and the IWE solonoid. I replaced both IWEs, Check valve, Solonoid. If you are doing serious extended off roading I’d carry a spare set of IWEs on the truck if I were you.

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[JExpedition07]

Thanks @JExpedition07 . What are the ballpark costs of these parts that you've replaced?


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All of these parts are a portion of the vacuum system, which is how ford operates the front axle engagement. While generally reliable the system has issues and needs occasional attention/ service or it seems to fail you when you need it. A good IWE will run you $100-$120 range. The check valve is a $20 part, as well as the solonoid. I wouldn’t worry about the check valve or solonoid on your rig though. When the check valve fails it doesn’t have consequences off road but unwanted engagement in 2WD. The solonoid can leave you stranded if it shorts out and fails to release vacuum, there will be a lack of 4x4 indicator should that ever occur. For whataver reason if the solonoid is dead the vehicle won’t go into 4x4 successfully, this is likely the computer lacking communication with it.

 

[1955moose]

From your handle I'm assuming your a motorcyclist? That's been our mantra for years. I'm not an off roader on 2 wheels anymore though I drive a 4 wheel drive here in Bay area. I would definitely carry a heavy duty jack, 3 ton minimum, a jack stand, wheel chocks, emergency items like blankets, water, food bars. As far as spares, how much do you want to carry? You could carry a spare left/right axle, spare drive shaft, how prepared do you want to be? Offroading is a gamble at best. If your a serious offroader a roll bar is what you want to carry. One flip over and your wife inherits all your stuff, and that life in the Poconos when you retire. Keep a few basics, tools to wrenchs and sockets out in the boonies, and a phone # of a guy that tows out of the woods. By the way their $1,000.on up to get you home, or civilization. Good luck, and oh yeah a big roll of duct tape and hose clamps various sizes. When you break in the boonies, you've got to get Mcgyver on your truck.

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[Munkiebunz3]

What kind of heavy duty jack would you recommend for off-road repairs?

 

[ExplorerTom]

So I'm going to take a different approach to that answer.

I've 4wheeled the heck out of my 2nd gen Explorer, both in the factory IFS and the solid-axle-swapped configurations. I actually have a count of the different trails that I've done. It's a little out dated, but it's somewhere in the neighborhood of 70 unique trails. Some of those trails have been run multiple times. My Expedition, which sorta resembles the Explorer's factory state, has a fair number of its own, but no where near that quantity.

Ok, so during all those trail runs, I've never been alone. I've always had at least one other rig with me. The type doesn't really matter- they've spanned from mild to wild. And while I've been out on those runs, I've come across all kinds of other people. So what I'm trying to say is that the sample size has been increased.

I have never seen an axle fail on the trail when not abused. How do you abuse an axle? Wheel spin. Wheel spin is bad- although sometimes necessary. But even then, the axle that I did see go, was REALLY being abused. So if you find yourself using a bunch of wheel spin, stop and think if there's a better way.

And no I don't carry any spares except for a serp belt. I've got tools out the wahzoo, but no spares. Or a roll bar.

Go enjoy the outdoors. And stay off the skinny pedal.

 

[shinysideup2]

What kind of heavy duty jack would you recommend for off-road repairs?

I'm not an expert at this. But I would stick with Aluminum Floor jacks (Harbor Freight?) if Hi-Lift/farm jacks aren't an option.

 

[Trainmaster]

I carry a Hi-lift jack for off road (which is on the beach here on Long Island) with slings to lift a wheel. I wouldn't crawl under the thing unless it was blocked up with something.

Don't even think of the Chinese imports. The American ones are dangerous enough.

 

[shinysideup2]

What kind of heavy duty jack would you recommend for off-road repairs?

Hey @Munkiebunz3 - I just ordered one of these... Combo bottle jack and jack stand. Nice and compact. http://a.co/d/fgIJAsL

 

[Black]

Hey @Munkiebunz3 - I just ordered one of these... Combo bottle jack and jack stand. Nice and compact. http://a.co/d/fgIJAsL

That will barely get your tire off the ground if at all.


My jack claims 19 3/4” lift. That is how high I get it in the rear

Needless to say I need a different jack.
Found one with 24 1/4” lift but that is the highest.

 

[montecarlo31]

I have taken my stock 07’ off road many times on some pretty hostile closed roads/ trails etc. I’ve never had a major hard part/ drivetrain failure related. I have had issues with hub actuators and the IWE solonoid. I replaced both IWEs, Check valve, Solonoid. If you are doing serious extended off roading I’d carry a spare set of IWEs on the truck if I were you.

Why bother replacing them?

https://www.rcvperformance.com/rcv-...or-set-for-ford-raptor-10-up-f-150-04-up.html

 

[JExpedition07]

Why bother replacing them?

https://www.rcvperformance.com/rcv-...or-set-for-ford-raptor-10-up-f-150-04-up.html

One could do that, I saw elimination kits when I did mine. I opted to refresh the vacuum components instead as there are some benefits to being able to disengage the front axle.

 

[shinysideup2]

Why bother replacing them?

https://www.rcvperformance.com/rcv-...or-set-for-ford-raptor-10-up-f-150-04-up.html

I haven't seen this IWE eliminator. Thanks for the link. My Toyota 4Runner's front axles were always connected to the hubs (no unlock, no automatic hub locker). I've also heard some folks replacing their IWE with manual locking hubs. Not sure of the parts they used...

 

[1955moose]

Explorer Tom hit it on the head, travel with at least one other, that way if you break, or worse yet get hurt, you stand a chance of getting well. It was rare when I ever took my dirt bike out by myself. Maybe short trips in the hills behind my house. I lived right against the San Bruno mountain, here in Daly City. Pretty cool back in the 70's when all my friends had dirt bikes.

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