Sport track 8.8 axle tube issue

[Ramcharger90]

This was at my buddies shop guy was driving down the road and heard a bang. The rear he got to throw in doesn't look to far off from doing the same thing. Seems like they are developing a dimple inside of the u bolt.

 

[Shran]

It's not just a Sport Trac issue, this really applies to any Explorer... or anything with leaf springs... especially sprung under I think. It's hard to wash under there and people don't wash their cars very well anyway. The 8.8 that I put in my stepside truck had about 1/8" gone where the bolts were at, I was able to fill it in with a welder and carry on with life.

IMO the problem with sprung under is salt builds up between the tube and U bolt and slowly eats down which rust jacks out material and can make the bolt vibrate against the tube, wearing it even further. Not so much a problem with sprung over because salt & dirt are less likely to accumulate there and it's a bit easier to wash off.