Warning for those with Fox 3.0s or 37s

We've all known that top perch on stock suspension puts stress on the CV joints that will ultimately cause failure to those components if you drive in 4x4. Well, now you can add Fox 3.0s and/or 37s to that list as well now.

I recently blew the cv joint, front axle, and the IWE apart pulling out a tree stump in my yard. Yes, this was at 0 miles an hour and 5 feet of driving distance. Aside from that I probably haven't used 4x4 for more than 200 miles and I'm at 37k miles now with my truck. Ford is completely unwilling to do anything as they blame the damage on those modifications.

And to add insult to injury, the repairs have already been done. Had I known that they wouldn't stand behind this, I would've much rather upgraded to RCV axles and their IWE delete kit. Now I get to count the days until these ****** components blow up on me again.

Built Ford Tough!!

I've been more than willing to take responsibility for damages I cause from my mods or from offroading and have spent thousands doing so... but I call complete BS on this one.

Whew! I'm glad Icon 3.0's aren't in the list .....

I never use 4 wheel drive (once in the past year) but I find it laughable how fragile the system is. "blew my IWE's climing a sand dune" or "blew my IWE's pulling out a tree stump" to mention a few stories. I was reading a thread about the IWE delete and it was stated that the kit puts too much stress on the other 4WD components. What gives? Is everything really that fragile?

I don't think it has so much to do with Fox 3.0s, or even the tires, as much as a combination of effects that may have led to this. IFS design will inherently lead to these types of failures. I have seen it on other makes and models, and I do not think these fall out on the Raptor is any more than any other vehicle. (There is a reason I can spare halfshafts and tie rods for my IFS trucks when wheeling)

An actuated HUB is not a smart design, but I can see why Ford would carry that over. Part proliferation and system validation would lend itself to carring over the standard IWE design. As stated above, many Raptor owners rarely use 4x4 and it would be something hard for Ford to sell and make up the development cost to do something like RCV or other spline permanently locked designs.

I have seen half shafts on other vehicles and fail in similar situations.

Having said all that, consider searching out a new dealer for warranty. Other brands warranty these type of failures with suspension adjustments and larger tires. BUT I have found Ford dealers / Ford less than willing to make the adjustments.

I always wandered why 3.0s where fine but top perch wasnt. People that have 3.0s have them jacked up to usually the same height as top perch. I never asked how it was different because i always assumed that for some magiacal reason 3.0s where fine jacked up. but i guess you answered my question

Bulletnjm said:

I always wandered why 3.0s where fine but top perch wasnt. People that have 3.0s have them jacked up to usually the same height as top perch. I never asked how it was different because i always assumed that for some magiacal reason 3.0s where fine jacked up. but i guess you answered my question

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And just to be clear, the senior-whatever dude from FoMoCo who called me today told me that either the 37s or 3.0s (not both) voided my warranty on these parts. I understand finding a cool dealership could've helped in this situation but I'm in Northwest Montana for the summer so I didn't have many to choose from... and it's already repaired at this point.

factive said:

And just to be clear, the senior-whatever dude from FoMoCo who called me today told me that either the 37s or 3.0s (not both) voided my warranty on these parts. I understand finding a cool dealership could've helped in this situation but I'm in Northwest Montana for the summer so I didn't have many to choose from... and it's already repaired at this point.

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Seems to me that they should have told you this before they fixed it. I dont know what the scenario was though. Wasnt there a ford service rep who monitors this site? Id be interested to hear her take on this as I have 37's and 3.0's.

They should tell you that it's not covered by warranty before doing the repairs.

Nothing to do with the 3.0's or 37's.
I was fragging cv's and iwe' s stock. It just gets worse as you mod.
The cv of course loses torque capability as you put more angle on it, so if you've lifted the front, yes you've lowered the cv's torque rating, no surprises there.
It's a Mickey mouse design. The hubs are laughable.
4x4 is best used very gently for getting unstuck, not pulling stumps.
I tossed my 4x4 stuff in the shed and purchased a removable winch...

I would contest this 1000%
I have a great attorney that does all my "automobile" stuff and i am sure this is a no brainer for him. Tire Size and Shocks have No reason to void a warranty.
Manuf will do just about anything to void a warranty. Read the fine print of your manual. Having Dogs on Leather will void BMW's upholstery warranty

They follow water. The path of least resistance

If you need help let me know.

sorry about that stump winning

factive said:

And just to be clear, the senior-whatever dude from FoMoCo who called me today told me that either the 37s or 3.0s (not both) voided my warranty on these parts. I understand finding a cool dealership could've helped in this situation but I'm in Northwest Montana for the summer so I didn't have many to choose from... and it's already repaired at this point.

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