JEEP WAS STRUCK BY A FORD ESCORT ON L SIDE, REAR DOOR & WHEEL WELL. REAR AXLE WAS KNOCKED COMPLETELY OFF JEEP, LANDING BESIDE JEEP. MECHANICS STATED THAT AXLE WAS NOT BOLTED ON, BUT ATTACHED WITH TWO METAL STRIPS, WHICH APPEARED TO HAVE SNAPPED ON IMPACT. OUR ACCIDENT WAS IN A VERY CONFINED SPACE (NEXT TO A CANYON WALL), BUT IN A CROWDED TRAFFIC SITUATION THIS COULD BE INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS TO ADJACENT TRAFFIC. THIS ALSO CAUSED ENORMOUS REPAIR COSTS & WAIT TIME (COMING ON TWO MONTHS AND WAITING).*AK