Updates before driving?


furlong

furlong

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Jan 14, 2007
70
pennsylvania
I just read the thread from abolfaz. He broke down on a back road in his new GT, and the half shaft bolts were to blame. The problem seems to be common on late 05 and early 06 cars. My question is do I have the upgrade before I drive the car, or do I risk getting stuck somewhere. My car is an 05 with a vin#1946 which would make it a late 05 car. I just had the car delivered and I am waiting for the salt to be washed off of the roads in about a month. Should I have a mechanic look at the car, and can he tell if the car has the problem? The car has 12 miles on it.
 
It's really a small number of affected units.

Hey I also have a 05. I would worry about the cold tires more than those shafts. These things love to get twitchy. We also need some warmth and rain before my car is back on the street. As for the shafts so far there seems to be no pattern for the few that have had the trouble. Albofaz has had a crazy situation. Just enjoy your ride cause there is nothing like it!
 
FURLONG:

You've undoubtedly read the 1/2 shaft thread(s). Somewhere in all that hash it's indicated that less than 1% of the 4038 cars that were made have had the pblm. WHY, God only knows right now.

'Point is, there are cars out there with 7,000 ....10,000 ...12,000 miles on 'em and they've not had a pblm. With the ZERO miles(!!!) that YOUR car has - I wouldn't sweat it! Really!

Look at it this way ...you have a less than 1% chance of having the pblm anytime soon if at all.

As to your "mechanic" question: all HE could do right now is look at your 1/2 shaft bolts and see if they're busted or "loose". At 12 miles - THEY'LL BE FINE. GUARANTEED! How could they NOT be! There are NO MILES on 'em. Therefore, you'd only be wasting your money.

(My own car has <300 miles on it now. WHENEVER WE GET SOME SUN, I intend to DRIVE IT! If the bolts PUKE - THEY PUKE! Heck with it! I'm sicka thinkin' about it!)
 
Last edited:
My car has 2,150 miles now, a 2006 bought brand new in October.

A Ford Dealer Mechanic and GT Specialist replaced the bolts and washers today, with the upgrade kit.

He has worked on other GT's including one (or possibly more) with the failure.

He said that my GT appeared very solid at the half shaft with no signs of fatique or movement. He is sending the parts back to Ford. But no evidence of bending.

Properly torqued and loctited now.

Peace of mind for me. Who wants to be the 1%...
 
My dealership guy told me on Saturday that if the Bolts are touched, they need to be replaced. That is the protocol(???) They chk'd mine and gave me a thumbs up... Two questions here... Did the guys who had the failure do any extra tightening for the heck of it??? Or is it possible that the torque wrench was not calibrated properly at The plant ( Saleen/Wixom ) There was a gentleman at the rally who's job was to calibrate all tools and check to make sure they were all calibrated to the proper.... uh..... calibration.. Roger?? Surely you can't be serious? I am serious and stop calling me shirley!!!
 
If they are going to check them, they might as well replace them.

I rest better knowing I now have the most current parts (even if they are the same spec) and that the torquing on the new parts has been considered carefully and loctited in place.
 
furlong said:
I just read the thread from abolfaz. He broke down on a back road in his new GT, and the half shaft bolts were to blame. The problem seems to be common on late 05 and early 06 cars. My question is do I have the upgrade before I drive the car, or do I risk getting stuck somewhere. My car is an 05 with a vin#1946 which would make it a late 05 car. I just had the car delivered and I am waiting for the salt to be washed off of the roads in about a month. Should I have a mechanic look at the car, and can he tell if the car has the problem? The car has 12 miles on it.
Click to expand...

CP, follow this earlier link. I am certain they would check anything at all out for you, and you're closer than me. Stan and I may drive up by truck; could always follow you up....:willy

http://www.fordgtforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4407&highlight=gtguy
 
SYCO GT said:
Properly torqued and loctited now.

Peace of mind for me. Who wants to be the 1%...
Click to expand...



Who was it who just posted the other day that he'd just had his SECOND replacement set installed (PROWLER?)?
His broke at 2,600 or so miles the 1st time &, at like 5,300 miles THIS time. ('wasn't abol)
So, having a replacement done "before the fact" may just be prolonging "the fact" on a car that's destined to have the pblm anyway!:wink
Life's a crap shoot. Lets face it.
Like I said somewhere around here, when we GET SOME SUN in my area - I'm gunna DRIVE mine. Heck with it. If the bolts PUKE - THEY PUKE.
(BUT, that having been said - when the "sure fire cure" for this is found - MY CAR WILL BE AT THE DEALERS BEFORE ENNY OF YUHZ!!)
 
Last edited:
SYCO GT said:
If they are going to check them, they might as well replace them.
Click to expand...


Not just replace them have them wired and there will never be a problem.

Dave
 
I was talking to the gal at the GT hotline and asked the question on this topic. She told me to check the transaxle number (which is stamped on the transaxle)and report back to her the # and she would check if the upgrade had already been installed on the car from the factory. FIRST time I've ever heard that FMC was fixing the problem, and it was being done at the plant and that FMC by logical extrapilation of her comment knew or has known about the problem before completion of the production run. I submitted my # her to yesterday and I await her response.
I find this quite interesting. In the end I hope I get the answer that the upgrade has been done by FMC already.
 
06fordgt said:
I was talking to the gal at the GT hotline and asked the question on this topic. She told me to check the transaxle number (which is stamped on the transaxle)and report back to her the # and she would check if the upgrade had already been installed on the car from the factory. FIRST time I've ever heard that FMC was fixing the problem, and it was being done at the plant and that FMC by logical extrapilation of her comment knew or has known about the problem before completion of the production run. I submitted my # her to yesterday and I await her response.
I find this quite interesting. In the end I hope I get the answer that the upgrade has been done by FMC already.
Click to expand...

As earlier posted, Rich aka GT TECH reported working with the Riccardo representative and replacing washers and bolts on transaxles on the shelf and those installed in cars waiting for shipment.
 
06fordgt said:
I was talking to the gal at the GT hotline and asked the question on this topic. She told me to check the transaxle number (which is stamped on the transaxle)and report back to her the # and she would check if the upgrade had already been installed on the car from the factory. I submitted my # her to yesterday and I await her response.
I find this quite interesting. In the end I hope I get the answer that the upgrade has been done by FMC already.
Click to expand...



I find this VERY interesting because I've called the Hotline twice B4 to do exactly what you did yesterday - AND WAS TOLD BOTH TIMES THAT THERE WAS NO SUCH LIST:ack !!!!

Please post your results HERE or SOMEWHERE if she calls back. Thanks!
 
I had the bolts replaced as a matter of caution. The Dealer reported there was no problem with the ones he replaced. However,I do sleep better at night.

Its too damn cold here in PA. for GTs anyway.................
 
Empty I will definetly keep all informed of my response from GT hotline.
 
06fordgt said:
Empty I will definetly keep all informed of my response from GT hotline.
Click to expand...

THANK YOU, SIR!
 
barondw said:
Not just replace them have them wired and there will never be a problem.

Dave
Click to expand...


Well, maybe - depends if they are backing out and then snapping, or just snapping. Of course if it is the second scenario, at least the heads will not rattle too much with the wire on them :thumbsup
 
tmstunts#1233 said:
My dealership guy told me on Saturday that if the Bolts are touched, they need to be replaced. That is the protocol(???)
Click to expand...


Yes - that is why the half shaft bolts (not the two bolts to the splines and washer) come in a package of six. The are a one shot deal - and not an expensive part (like 8 bucks for the 6).
 
Half Shafts

Thanks for the input, about half of the responses were to just change them for peace of mind and the other half said just drive it and it might not happen. I live in a rural area, all narrow backroads, so breaking down is an adventure. My main form of transportation in the nice weather is by motorcycle, and they seem to breakdown often. I have been stranded in places that some of the supporting actors from Deliverance reside. One time I pushed my bike about 1/2 mile to some shack at a farm junkyard, and I was almost forced to marry the farmers daughter, the pretty one that had all 3 teeth. So, I don't want to break down in the GT. If I abandoned it to find help, it would be in some muddy field pulling a plow.
 
Understood. But, at this point there IS NO "insurance" replacement you can install that'll be anything but a placebo. Really. PROWLER replaced HIS - and the REPLACEMENTS broke. So, until a PERMANENT fix is available, what's the point?

So, getcher seff a shootin' iron tuh carry wiff yuz if'n the GT pukes it's 'bolts so's yuh have a hikin' partner goin' thru D-liveruntz country - and carry wunna themthar ceell fone thingies too 'n' yull be alright ...:cheers
 
Does everyone know that the toothbrush was invented in Arkansas?

If it was invented anywhere else it would have been called a teethbrush!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Top Bottom