2003 Replacing Front Axle--HELP

[reansor]

I have a 2003 Mountaineer 4.6L AWD Mountaineer that I recently had an accident with on the right front corner. Besides fender, bumper, and headlight damage, I also damaged the lower control arm and the CV shaft. Also, the front carrier shaft also cracked where it bolts to the frame so it's shot. So basically I need info on how to change the entire front carrier and axle, and how much that might cost. There's also tailgate damage.

The truck was in excellent condition, I was planning on just removing the damaged CV shaft and removing the front drive shaft to at least make it driveable, but I'm starting to wonder if it's worth fixing. The junkyard would only give me their standard $350, and that's pathetic. I could really use some advice.

 

[Mr Dubya]

I have a 2003 Mountaineer 4.6L AWD Mountaineer that I recently had an accident with on the right front corner. Besides fender, bumper, and headlight damage, I also damaged the lower control arm and the CV shaft. Also, the front carrier shaft also cracked where it bolts to the frame so it's shot. So basically I need info on how to change the entire front carrier and axle, and how much that might cost. There's also tailgate damage.

The truck was in excellent condition, I was planning on just removing the damaged CV shaft and removing the front drive shaft to at least make it driveable, but I'm starting to wonder if it's worth fixing. The junkyard would only give me their standard $350, and that's pathetic. I could really use some advice.

You have no idea how strangely similar this description is to mine a few years ago. Item for item ours was the same. Sit tight and I'll help give you some guidance on the process within the following day. In my opinion, it's very much worth the fix. Start taking good pictures of it NOW.


-Dubya

 

[reansor]

Thanks, Dubya. I'm not in a position to take pics right now cuz I won't be near the truck for a while, but I have to strategize this. Like I said, the whole carrier and rt. side CV axle are definitely shot, plus the lower control arm. Plus the bumper cover, fender, hood, and passenger mirror, but I'm first concerned with making it at least drivable.

Please send me info ASAP. Thanks!

 

[Mr Dubya]

What is the condition of the frame and underbody structure (under the fender and headlight, for example).

 

[Number4]

With what wa damaged, I'd be concerned that there is more you can't see. No insurance?

How any miles on it? Wreckers around here would sell the engine for up to $1500. Then you have the trans and all the other parts. If you have the space, you could part it out. The when done, the rest as scrap would still be $300.

 

[reansor]

03 Moutaineer with damage

I was pricing used parts online and it looks like about $2000 in parts alone for fender, mirror, hood, bumper cover, axle and halfshaft, headlight, etc. I could kill myself for not having collision on my insurance cuz I bought it in excellent condition last year for $2900, and insurance probably would've totaled it and given me a good $4000+.

 

[Number4]

After a deer hit me, insurance wrote mine off as a cosmetic loss, which kept the title clean and paid off my $5k loan. (I didn't have any "frame damage," which yours could be a candidate for)
I've been able to go to the wreckers and craigslist.
Hood $80 (and right color)
Left fender $35 (and right color)
Header panel $35
Front bumper $85 (local bumper guy, Ford 'defect' not painted, new.)
Headlight $30 (Amazon)
Left turn signal $13
Radiator $? Don't recall, new from NAPA

And then seats, electric fan, backup sensors, all kinds of crap I didn't need.

 

[Mr Dubya]

I was pricing used parts online and it looks like about $2000 in parts alone for fender, mirror, hood, bumper cover, axle and halfshaft, headlight, etc. I could kill myself for not having collision on my insurance cuz I bought it in excellent condition last year for $2900, and insurance probably would've totaled it and given me a good $4000+.

You won't need to spend anywhere near that if you're doing the work yourself, I promise you that. Been busy so haven't posted on this yes

 

[reansor]

Yeah I was debating the issue, and decided to keep it and at least fix the minimum to make it driveable: control arm and just disable front axle for now, fender, etc.

I could kill myself for not having collision on my insurance! I bought last year in almost mint condition for $2900 at auction, and the insurance company probably would've given me $5000 for the loss!

 

[reansor]

update Dubya...

Dubya, sorry I haven't posted in a while, I've been pretty tied up. I haven't done much with the truck yet, but I'm working on the control arm. I have some pics of the damage, but I'm not sure how to post them in this forum.