Do you actually need the axle thrust washers?

[BrianGT2015]

When replacing the rear wheel bearings do you need the rear thrust washers?

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[Firsttexan]

Yes.

 

[Cobra Jet]

Common issues with tire/abs/steering warning light weirdness, check the rear axle thrust washer see here:
https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/threads/abs-advancetrac-power-steering.162475/#post-3308430

 

[Andy13186]

I had a broken thrust washer on my rear axle and the cars tail end would go side to side during hard acceleration and sometimes I would even have to let off throttle because of that. After they were replaced the car is solid with no wag.

 

[NightmareMoon]

I've replaced the hubs w/o them before, and I haven't died yet.

I'd prefer to use them, and the last one I replaced I did use one, but the first time my mechanic and I couldn't figure out what it was. It came out pretty mangled. The new ones are a bit thicker.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

I had a broken thrust washer on my rear axle and the cars tail end would go side to side during hard acceleration

How does a broken washer cause that?

 

[Andy13186]

How does a broken washer cause that?

No idea, but they replaced the thrust washers and axles under warranty and the issue was gone. The other symptom was a noise from the rear axle every time when going from drive to reverse. I didnt think the clunk and the rear end sway were related at all but when they did this both the problems were fixed. I Had been having the rear end sway for quite a while and I just thought my whipple was overpowering the rear suspension causing the sway so I was planning on going coilovers, but then this solved the sway, but I still got coilovers after this anyway.

 

[BrianGT2015]

I've replaced the hubs w/o them before, and I haven't died yet.

I'd prefer to use them, and the last one I replaced I did use one, but the first time my mechanic and I couldn't figure out what it was. It came out pretty mangled. The new ones are a bit thicker.

Is there a trick to separate the axle and hub.

 

[NightmareMoon]

Is there a trick to separate the axle and hub.

No it pulls straight off, but geting the space is the tricky part, keep at it!

 

[Dana Pants]

I had a drivers side washer fail so pathetically about 30k miles ago that I declined to replace it. Car still works as intended.

 

[Dana Pants]

I had a drivers side washer fail so pathetically about 30k miles ago that I declined to replace it. Car still works as intended.

and then years later I thought I understood the failure mechanisms enough to use the washer again. (I now use red threadlock on the axle nut so it doesn’t loosen.) The washer walked itself off center and killed my ABS sensor ruining race By the way, losing abs and locking up tires mid turn is absolutely terrible.

Axle was/is still totally tight. F these washers. I’m never using them again.

photo is of good ABS sensor and one kissed by the axle washer.

 

[bankyf]

and then years later I thought I understood the failure mechanisms enough to use the washer again. (I now use red threadlock on the axle nut so it doesn’t loosen.) The washer walked itself off center and killed my ABS sensor ruining race By the way, losing abs and locking up tires mid turn is absolutely terrible.

Axle was/is still totally tight. F these washers. I’m never using them again.

photo is of good ABS sensor and one kissed by the axle washer.

My 2020 did not come with thrust washers from the factory. When I upgraded to the Ford Performance axles, the Ford instructions made no mention of thrust washers either.

 

[Cobra Jet]

My 2020 did not come with thrust washers from the factory. When I upgraded to the Ford Performance axles, the Ford instructions made no mention of thrust washers either.

@WildHorse

He has found deletion of the thrust washers and resetting of the DTC that there are no adverse effects from never installing them again (on an S550 where it originally had them from the factory).

 

[WildHorse]

@WildHorse

He has found deletion of the thrust washers and resetting of the DTC that there are no adverse effects from never installing them again (on an S550 where it originally had them from the factory).

Exactly right. 1000 miles on now. Zero issues. And the reused axle nut ( with red loctite ) hasn't moved.

 

[Dana Pants]

I’m also confirming a second time that life without washers causes no issues. I fixed the car Monday.

You can take the car apart less to rip out the old one when you have no intention to replace.

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