Is my axle shaft cooked?

crazyone64 · Jul 15, 2025

Needed some advice, I noticed this loud clunk and free movement after removing the brakes.
It's a 03 mach1 with 55k miles in Neutral on jack stands.
Is this normal since both sides do it identically?

View: https://youtu.be/fSBB8NGEiwo

KRUISR · Jul 15, 2025

That to me looks like normal play in and out due to the c-clips.

crazyone64 · Jul 15, 2025

thanks for the confirmation, what are your thoughts on the movement/sound with the wheel on?

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/uCClmNI6zlQ?si=7P4et_hxsY7Xg1Hp

gkomo · Jul 16, 2025

I don't know how to help you, but that seems really loose. I get no play in my wheels, especially on the rear. Do both sides do that equally?

Noobz347 · Jul 16, 2025

crazyone64 said:
thanks for the confirmation, what are your thoughts on the movement/sound with the wheel on?

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/uCClmNI6zlQ?si=7P4et_hxsY7Xg1Hp

I don't like it.

That to me, seems like there could be an issue with hub.

@Mustang5L5
@91AOD5.0LX

Let me see if this still works: @SN Certified Technician

Mustang5L5 · Jul 16, 2025

Really need to take the wheel/rotor off and move the axle shaft itself up and down to see if the wheel bearings are failing. That’s about the only way I can think of the axle moving up/down/left/rihht

Blackhawkxx · Jul 16, 2025

In and out seems normal but the up and down might need checked out.

crazyone64 · Jul 23, 2025

What do you think of these axle shaft options I found available in Canada?
I'm omitting Dorman due to poor reviews and leaning towards USA Standard for coming with everything and being a bit cheaper $ than the Yukon option which is more performance than i likely need? I'm at about 350hp, 4:10 gears and rear tires are 315s. keeping it N/A)

99-04 Ford Mustang Drive Axle Shaft - Rear - USA Standard Gear - ZA K630218 (comes with everything)

Yukon Gear & Axle YAF880041: 1541H Alloy Rear Axle For '99-'04 8.8" & 7.5" Ford Mustang With Abs, Shafts - Amazon Canada (axle alone, still need studs, bearing/seal, tone ring)
Establishing a secure connection ... (axle)
Establishing a secure connection ... (bearing and seal)
Establishing a secure connection ... (axle stud)
Establishing a secure connection ... (tone ring)

Dorman 630-217 Drive Axle Shaft Compatible with Select Ford/Lincoln/Mercury Models, Shafts - Amazon Canada (bad reviews)

Mustang5L5 · Jul 23, 2025

I'd go Yukon

They do make axle saverr bearings if the axle shaft is worn. Pull the old bearing, and this new bearing puts the rollers in a different spot that hasn't been worn down. Essentially it's good as new.

https://www.cjponyparts.com/rear-axle-repair-bearing-7-5-8-8-1979-2004/p/1225R/?year=1996&msclkid=e9b9fc106a831b0a773694915a1ec97f&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Core%20Vehicles%20Shopping%20(Tier%202)&utm_term=4583451683749159&utm_content=Core%20Vehicles%20Shopping%20(Tier%202)

crazyone64 · Aug 7, 2025

UPDATE:
1st mechanic appt they confirmed the axle bearings need to be replaced via the excess wheel movement. $75 cdn
2nd mechanic appt they replaced the axle bearings. $560 cdn (parts+labour, i supplied the oil and additive $100)

I'm still getting an intermittent grinding on the rear passenger side, when making left turns (at about 30-40km/h) If going faster, the intermittent grinding is increased.
I called the mechanic back, he indicated to drive it for a week so the fluid circulates and if needed book another appt.

I jacked up the rear, the wheel is definitely tighter, there's no more play at 12 and 6 and I can easily spin the tire whereas previously it was difficult to spin. However there is still movement if you pull the wheel directly outward and inward. Just like the above video from July 15.

Really need some advice for the remaining grinding sound around turns.

squeak93 · Aug 8, 2025

Yeah don't keep driving it. Grinding only gets better when it clearances itself which is not your goal here.

Did you use stock type of bearings or do the axle savers?

crazyone64 · Aug 11, 2025

squeak93 said:
Yeah don't keep driving it. Grinding only gets better when it clearances itself which is not your goal here.

Did you use stock type of bearings or do the axle savers?

new axle bearings

KRUISR · Aug 12, 2025

crazyone64 said:
What do you think of these axle shaft options I found available in Canada?
I'm omitting Dorman due to poor reviews and leaning towards USA Standard for coming with everything and being a bit cheaper $ than the Yukon option which is more performance than i likely need? I'm at about 350hp, 4:10 gears and rear tires are 315s. keeping it N/A)

99-04 Ford Mustang Drive Axle Shaft - Rear - USA Standard Gear - ZA K630218 (comes with everything)

Yukon Gear & Axle YAF880041: 1541H Alloy Rear Axle For '99-'04 8.8" & 7.5" Ford Mustang With Abs, Shafts - Amazon Canada (axle alone, still need studs, bearing/seal, tone ring)
Establishing a secure connection ... (axle)
Establishing a secure connection ... (bearing and seal)
Establishing a secure connection ... (axle stud)
Establishing a secure connection ... (tone ring)

Dorman 630-217 Drive Axle Shaft Compatible with Select Ford/Lincoln/Mercury Models, Shafts - Amazon Canada (bad reviews)

You said you have an 03 Mach 1. If so, those axles won't work. They list in their description that they are 28 spline. The GTs (and Mach 1s) from 99-04 are 31 spline if I am not mistaken - others here can confirm that. V6 models still used 28 spline but the GTs got 31s.

crazyone64 · Aug 12, 2025

I've recorded the sound of the intermittent grinding going around a turn for some better clarity. It's at 8 seconds to 12 seconds, turn up the volume

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/t57fji6nSvI

squeak93 · Aug 14, 2025

KRUISR said:
You said you have an 03 Mach 1. If so, those axles won't work. They list in their description that they are 28 spline. The GTs (and Mach 1s) from 99-04 are 31 spline if I am not mistaken - others here can confirm that. V6 models still used 28 spline but the GTs got 31s.

That is incorrect. Factory 28 spline for GT's and Mach's.

crazyone64 · Aug 14, 2025

I found that the e-brake cable was rubbing against the tire/rim causing the intermittent grinding.
I secured it closer to the LCA with a few zip ties.
Should I be concerned with the exposed cable with the rubber missing? see pic

squeak93 · Aug 15, 2025

At some point it will corrode and bind/fail. They are relatively cheap and much cheaper than a rollaway incident for a failed ebrake. I'd replace. Others will say run it till it breaks but my luck is always it'll break on a hill and be gone.

Mustang5L5 · Aug 16, 2025

There is a bracket for that. Theres also one for the ABS wiring. Looks like yours is missing.

Here are the parking cable guides. The abs bracket isn’t reproduced

https://lmr.com/item/LRS-2530A-K/mustang-parking-brake-cable-guide-kit-94-04?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20122150528&gbraid=0AAAAAD62FUyHsWYoSKH4GXHosHC9sXjVr&gclid=Cj0KCQjw2IDFBhDCARIsABDKOJ4QYmIZSWYNSIQSTZWZJUT2vTRW1gugu_CwCHkdKwEIftpeMSVOn0kaAo6XEALw_wcB

crazyone64 · Aug 16, 2025

Mustang5L5 said:
There is a bracket for that. Theres also one for the ABS wiring. Looks like yours is missing.

Here are the parking cable guides. The abs bracket isn’t reproduced

https://lmr.com/item/LRS-2530A-K/mustang-parking-brake-cable-guide-kit-94-04?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20122150528&gbraid=0AAAAAD62FUyHsWYoSKH4GXHosHC9sXjVr&gclid=Cj0KCQjw2IDFBhDCARIsABDKOJ4QYmIZSWYNSIQSTZWZJUT2vTRW1gugu_CwCHkdKwEIftpeMSVOn0kaAo6XEALw_wcB

thanks, i've still got the bracket,
How are you all addressing the ebrake and abs cable after an aftermarket LCA install (other than zip ties) It's too far from the LCA to use the stock bracket and i think i wasn't able to mount the bracket

Is my axle shaft cooked?

crazyone64

KRUISR

crazyone64

gkomo

now i can hopefully expect to receive the shaft

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Is my axle shaft cooked?

now i can hopefully expect to receive the shaft

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