# 1998 AWD Explorer is Getting the Shaft **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [March 26, 2009, 7:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-awd-explorer-is-getting-the-shaft/28343 "2009-03-26T19:54:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dlwaddle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ec9cab/32.png) [@dlwaddle](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dlwaddle)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2009, 7:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-awd-explorer-is-getting-the-shaft/28343/1 "2009-03-26T19:54:26Z")
My 1998 AWD Explorer is in a Nationaly known repair shop to get the return drive shaft replaced. My original quote was $472.00 and could be completed in an hour. It has been over 24hrs. and this shop has tried 2 different drive shafts. They are waiting for a third to come in. The bill has gone up to $867.00 but this only includes the increase in the cost of the shaft(not any more labor, it will stay the same). Am I being “Shafted”? ---
**Author:** ![hellokit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6a8cbe/32.png) [@hellokit](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hellokit)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2009, 8:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-awd-explorer-is-getting-the-shaft/28343/2 "2009-03-26T20:34:07Z")
If their diagnosis is correct, and you ok’ed the increased price, it’s your choice. ---
**Author:** ![dlwaddle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ec9cab/32.png) [@dlwaddle](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dlwaddle)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2009, 10:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-awd-explorer-is-getting-the-shaft/28343/3 "2009-03-26T22:00:47Z")
How much should a repair like this cost? ---
**Author:** ![ken\_green](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/ken_green/32/816_2.png) [@ken\_green](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ken_green)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2009, 10:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-awd-explorer-is-getting-the-shaft/28343/4 "2009-03-26T22:18:25Z")
What is a ‘return’ drive shaft ? ( 30 year Ford parts man hasn’t heard this term. ) xfr case to rear ? xfr case to front ? or one of the axle shafts ? - define the shaft - tell me the last 8 digits of the VIN - I’ll tell you the Ford part number and price. ---
**Author:** ![UncleTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e9a140/32.png) [@UncleTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/UncleTurbo)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2009, 10:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-awd-explorer-is-getting-the-shaft/28343/5 "2009-03-26T22:56:47Z")
Tell them to put the original drive shaft in the car and take it to a Ford dealer. I think you are getting shafted. They ordered the wrong part(s) and they are making you pay more for their incompetence. If they don’t have the original shaft have it towed to a Ford dealer and pay the shop nothing for their unsuccessful efforts. ---
**Author:** ![dlwaddle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ec9cab/32.png) [@dlwaddle](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dlwaddle)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2009, 1:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-awd-explorer-is-getting-the-shaft/28343/6 "2009-03-27T13:40:03Z")
It goes from the xfr case to the front.last 8 of the VIN are WZB23612. ---
**Author:** ![ken\_green](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/ken_green/32/816_2.png) [@ken\_green](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ken_green)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2009, 2:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-awd-explorer-is-getting-the-shaft/28343/7 "2009-03-27T14:38:24Z")
Don’t know what they tried the first time but… 3/19/1998 Explorer 5.0 awd front drive shaft is # XL2Z-4A376-BA ( fka F77Z-4A376-CB ) List $ 619.98, discounts available if you’re buddies with your dealer( @ my dealer, wholesale $ 495.99 , in stock ). It has a strange looking c/v joint at one end, a regular u-joint at the other. ---
**Author:** ![dlwaddle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ec9cab/32.png) [@dlwaddle](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dlwaddle)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2009, 3:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-awd-explorer-is-getting-the-shaft/28343/8 "2009-03-29T15:56:28Z")
Hey Ken, thanks a lot for your help. You saved me a lot of time and money. Sears put the right part in and they matched your price. They also threw in a free oil change. THANKS A BUNCH!!!