ford mustang axle question

res1vw21 · 08-17-2009, 04:46 AM

so it's 2:44 am, I just got home from pulling Tara's car into a parking lot because the rear axle on the right side snapped. The wheel and tire came off and the hub of the rotor shattered. I did just do a break job all the way around. I will post pics in the morning but does any one have any idea on how this could have happened? Did I tighten the lug nuts to tight?

res1vw21 · 08-17-2009, 11:14 AM

so I still need to drag the car home but here but this is a pic of the snapped axle and wheel.
I think the axle snapped and then the caliper drug on the inside of the wheel then the rotor hat broke allowing the wheel to come flying off and hit a bbq.

any ideas on how this could have happened?

res1vw21 · 08-17-2009, 11:45 AM

anyone?

Burntorange70 · 08-17-2009, 12:28 PM

WOW! That is some crazy stuff. Never seen any thing like that before. Did you change out the bearings too or just the brakes?

res1vw21 · 08-17-2009, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burntorange70

WOW! That is some crazy stuff. Never seen any thing like that before. Did you change out the bearings too or just the brakes?

All I did was pads and rotors
simple stuff

hypermite · 08-17-2009, 03:28 PM

Yikes! Now you got me spooked! I have 18" wheels on my 02 Mustang GT & I have heard that they can be hard on bearings & such, but there's no sign of excess heat on those parts. It is a little suspicious that you had just performed some brake work, Try "Mustangforums.com" there's alot of smart Mustang guys there, who may have seen this before.

hemizach · 08-17-2009, 03:38 PM

Oh, it's a mustang. There's yer problem :P

SGBARRACUDA · 08-17-2009, 04:04 PM

Seems to me that you had an axle failure. The fact that you just did the brakes is a coincidence.

res1vw21 · 08-17-2009, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SGBARRACUDA

Seems to me that you had an axle failure. The fact that you just did the brakes is a coincidence.

Thats kinda the conclusion that I am coming to. I am going to be talking to the insurance company here in a little bit. I just got my camera back so I will go snap some pics of the car.

71b5duster · 08-17-2009, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by res1vw21

anyone?

I would say maybe a casting flaw. I see stock mustangs at the drag strip all the time with slicks and stock axles and rarely do they have a problem.
The guy I bought my 66 belvedere from said when the car was 6 months old he was driving down the road when a torsion bar broke. He installed another torsion bar and 43 years later it is still holding up.
Sometime these things happen.

res1vw21 · 08-17-2009, 04:44 PM

here are some pics of the car side.
looking at it it looks like the axle failed. I don't think I did anything wrong when I put on the pads and rotors.

res1vw21 · 08-17-2009, 04:45 PM

thanks for the reply's guys, this is just what we needed.
Don't know if it matters but it is a 6cylinder.

magnumdart · 08-17-2009, 06:36 PM

Does the axle still turn?

hypermite · 08-17-2009, 10:17 PM

The 6-cylinder cars use the 7.5 inch rear axle, (Not real strong) Even the 6-cyl. cars are pretty heavy, plus she's lugging around those giant wheels & tires, so this probably isn't unheard of. you might be able to score a Mustang 8.8 with the insurance $. It's a bolt in, bulletproof, and traction lock to boot.

res1vw21 · 08-17-2009, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hypermite

The 6-cylinder cars use the 7.5 inch rear axle, (Not real strong) Even the 6-cyl. cars are pretty heavy, plus she's lugging around those giant wheels & tires, so this probably isn't unheard of. you might be able to score a Mustang 8.8 with the insurance $. It's a bolt in, bulletproof, and traction lock to boot.

Yep thats the plan if the insurance is willing to work with us or if they don't want at all. Anyone have a lsd 8.8 they want to sell?
I had a mechanic friend look at it and he said it was a preexisting crack that picked that time to go.

"Does it turn?" I don't know but I assume so.