From “AutoEvolution News” we have this tale about bad induction heat treating leading to a recall of 2023 Ford Super Duty trucks;

“Redesigned for 2023, the Super Duty has been recalled yet again. Campaign 23V-595 is the seventh recall for this model year thus far, and it’s quite a biggie. As it happens, the left rear axle shaft may have been improperly heat-treated by Mid-West Forge Corporation, a condition that may result in a failure. Ford Motor Company started investigating said problem on August 10 in light of a rising number of warranty claims for broken left rear axle shafts. Two failed parts were sent to a metallurgical lab for analysis. Not surprising in the least, said parts didn’t meet the Dearborn-based automaker’s torsional yield and case depth specifications in the fractured area. The fractured area is located 1.3 inches (44 mm) from the flange.

This, in turn, prompted the Ford Motor Company to give the Cleveland, Ohio-based supplier a call. Mid-West Forge Corporation determined that incorrectly heat-treated axle shafts are limited to a single induction heat machine. Maintenance personnel entered an incorrect offset value, resulting in incomplete heat treatment.

Ford is aware of a grand total of seven warranty reports for both the F-250 and F-350. All reports are for single rear wheels rather than dually trucks. In the event of a rear axle shaft failure, it’s possible to regain mobility as long as – if equipped – the pickup goes into 4WD.

Ford claims that Mid-West Forge Corporation addressed this quality concern with a handful of preventive actions. As highlighted earlier, the affected population comprises 2023 models of the F-250 and F-350 varieties with single rear wheels. Production dates range between March 20, 2023 and August 21, 2023.

Equipped with 10.5-inch shafts, these pickups will have their left rear axle shafts inspected by dealers nationwide. If the service technician identifies a suspect date code (stamped on the flange), the shaft will be replaced at no cost whatsoever to the customer. Dealers have been informed of this recall today, August 30. Owner notifications will be mailed in October. A grand total of 41,555 vehicles are called back. Of those, an estimated 50 percent are believed to have been equipped with suspect 10.5-inch rear axle shafts. 36,333 of the recalled vehicles are F-250s, and the remaining 5,222 pickup trucks are heavier-duty F-350s.

Both variants come in six trim levels, ranging from the work-oriented XL to the surprisingly posh Limited. Prices for the F-250 start at $43,970 excluding the destination freight charge, whereas $45,015 gets you an F-350 XL with rear-wheel drive, single rear wheels, and a 6.8-liter gasser based on the optional 7.3er. The pushrod V8s are joined by two variants of the Power Stroke turbo diesel. Also a V8, this engine belts out an incredible 500 horsepower and 1,200 pound-feet (1,627 Nm) in high-output flavor. Said lump enables the F-450 Regular Cab with the Max Tow Package to tow a ludicrous 40,000 pounds (18,144 kilograms).”

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