Rear Differential

[cvreeland]

Lots of issues after the first half of a road trip. After getting home, dropped my Bronco at Ford service and they diagnosed the issue as being a broken rear differential. They said there are three Broncos ahead with the same issue, but they don’t have the parts to fix it and don’t know when they will get them—they literally have zero time frame. It has been five weeks and still no idea. The car is not driveable. Anyone else had this issue? Is there any recourse to get this moving along? I would even be happy with some sort of guesstimate. How long is too long to wait?

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[BLUEOVALRACER]

I've never heard of a rear differential motor?

 

[obsys]

I see a number of posts about weeks and weeks of delays on parts. Don't forget to check into your states lemon laws since many have a timeframe.

 

[magicbus]

I've never heard of a rear differential motor?

I'm pretty sure the OP meant the RDU which I guess stands for Rear Drive or Rear Differential Unit.

I agree that 5 weeks and no end in sight would have me checking the state Lemon Law.

 

[cvreeland]

I see a number of posts about weeks and weeks of delays on parts. Don't forget to check into your states lemon laws since many have a timeframe.

Apparently in Texas they would have to fix the issue four times and have it break again each time to be considered a lemon. Which seems impossible to get to four if they can’t even fix it once.

 

[Mark S.]

Apparently in Texas they would have to fix the issue four times and have it break again each time to be considered a lemon. Which seems impossible to get to four if they can’t even fix it once.

There is usually a limit on the number of days in the shop as well.

 

[cvreeland]

It’s 30 days (which we are well over by this point), but I believe here the 30 days is in addition to everything else, which doesn’t all apply. Basically it seems impossible in Texas!

 

[Dude]

I've never heard of a rear differential motor?

If you search the Forum, there is at least one post stating … In the Badlands with the Twin-clutch RDU there are 2 electric motors.

“There is a disconnect at the PTU, which is a “dog collar” design similar to a non synchronized manual transmission. The RDU Twin-clutch activates first to get the driveshaft spinning (Badlands: via 2 electric motors) and when the driveshaft is within 30 rpm of the PTU shaft speed, the PTU will connect to the RDU.”

 

[Mwittke5857]

If you search the Forum, there is at least one post stating … In the Badlands with the Twin-clutch RDU there are 2 electric motors.

“There is a disconnect at the PTU, which is a “dog collar” design similar to a non synchronized manual transmission. The RDU Twin-clutch activates first to get the driveshaft spinning (Badlands: via 2 electric motors) and when the driveshaft is within 30 rpm of the PTU shaft speed, the PTU will connect to the RDU.”

That begs the question whether one can swap out a non clutch RDU with one of these and add a toggle switch like they do on aftermarket units

 

[obsys]

Yeah it's state by state. In Colorado it's now 3 attempts (2 for significant safety impacts) OR 24 business days out of service.

https://coag.gov/2024/8-6-24/

It’s 30 days (which we are well over by this point), but I believe here the 30 days is in addition to everything else, which doesn’t all apply. Basically it seems impossible in Texas!

 

[BLUEOVALRACER]

If you search the Forum, there is at least one post stating … In the Badlands with the Twin-clutch RDU there are 2 electric motors.

“There is a disconnect at the PTU, which is a “dog collar” design similar to a non synchronized manual transmission. The RDU Twin-clutch activates first to get the driveshaft spinning (Badlands: via 2 electric motors) and when the driveshaft is within 30 rpm of the PTU shaft speed, the PTU will connect to the RDU.”

But he has an Outer Banks?

 

[Dude]

But he has an Outer Banks?

I can only answer your question (“I've never heard of a rear differential motor?”) about electric motors in the RDU relative to Badlands… I don’t know for the other models

 

[Ford Motor Company]

Lots of issues after the first half of a road trip. After getting home, dropped my Bronco at Ford service and they diagnosed the issue as being a broken rear differential. They said there are three Broncos ahead with the same issue, but they don’t have the parts to fix it and don’t know when they will get them—they literally have zero time frame. It has been five weeks and still no idea. The car is not driveable. Anyone else had this issue? Is there any recourse to get this moving along? I would even be happy with some sort of guesstimate. How long is too long to wait?

Good morning. Can you please send over a message with your VIN and the name/location of the Ford dealer you are currently working with? I would like to take a closer look into this to ensure all resources are being utilized for your repair concerns.

 

[cvreeland]

Good morning. Can you please send over a message with your VIN and the name/location of the Ford dealer you are currently working with? I would like to take a closer look into this to ensure all resources are being utilized for your repair concerns.

Hello, a Janelle reached out yesterday and said a customer experience agent would be reaching out this week. Thank you!

 

[cvreeland]

Update: Checked the dates and tomorrow marks 9 weeks since dropping our car off for service. I posted a negative review on Facebook and Google on 9/27 after Ford on here told me someone would contact me within the week and no one ever did (and still has not). After pointing that out to them they told me to contact the dealer (as if I hadn’t tried that already—they do not answer their phones.) Anyway, they called yesterday to let us know they had a loaner available (all of a sudden). One hour later they called and said the part they needed was in. We picked it up today at 3 pm and were given zero update on the car. Then they called at 6 pm and said the car was DONE. We will pick the car up tomorrow and then plan to immediately sell it and buy a Toyota. Never again a Ford.

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