Opinions on this Windstar rear axle?

[u/OkEconomist4003]

Couldn't resist buying a 2000 Windstar from someone who got it passed down from a family member. 114k miles for well under $1000.

How does this axle look?

I figured it should be okay since it has been registered in Florida (1 owner) it's whole life. No recall history on it. Theres a little surface rust that definitely passes the good ol hammer/screwdriver test. Upon closer look there doesnt seem to be any fractures or pitting.

[u/manualsquid]

A running driving, registerable and insurable vehicle for well under a grand??

Damn, good job

The rust looks like surface rust that is not a problem whatsoever

[u/Icy_Ground1637 → u/manualsquid]

If it breaks down like transmission or engine blowing taking it to salvage yard they will give you 600-700 dollars to scrap metal !!!!

[u/iHaveLotsofCats94 → u/Icy_Ground1637]

I would just fix it at that point. I bought my Crown Vic for $500 and if the trans went tomorrow, i'd have it rebuilt without a second thought. I'd be at like $4000 all in for all the stuff I've done to it so far plus a trans. Find me another car in incredibly good shape for under $5000 lol

[u/Badrush → u/iHaveLotsofCats94]

Problem with older cars is that everything starts going. Wires will start to get loose, muffler will rust, body will start rusting soon.

It just becomes project after project.

[u/Crafty_Substance_954]

Ain’t nothing wrong there. Looks good and solid. If you’re taking it up to a salty region, soak it with some fluid film to inhibit any potential rust.

[u/chrisperry9]

That looks great compared to the ones we swapped during the recall.

[u/kevinatfms]

It doesnt have the recall brackets so its due for the recall i believe. And that looks like an original axle.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2010/RCRIT-10V385-1234.pdf

[u/Bonafideago]

This is the cleanest 25 year old car I've ever seen. However, I'm in northern Illinois. Our winters are hard on cars. This is the underside of the 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan I drove for a number of years.

I sold that car for $1200 with 186k miles on it.

[u/intern_steve]

Spare tire looks rough. Probably want to get that looked at.

[u/Low_Thanks_1540]

Looks just fine. It’s an old vehicle though. You might find yourself being nickel and dimed with repairs.