I've got a 2004 F150 that had minor rear end noises at around 8,000 miles.
That was supposedly due to the clutches in the limited slip rear (groaning
noise on slow turns). Had it in 3 times for that. I think they quieted
that noise with more friction modifier being added to the rear.
Now, at 40,000 miles, the rear is sounding really bad. This is nothing like
the original noise of the limited slip clutches. From 20 MPH all the way up
to about 80, where it levels off. It is a very noticeable "smooth" grind
that resonates right through the frame of the truck. Having given up on
Ford now the warranty is up, I had another shop give it a listen and the guy
said sounds like rear axle bearings. Bearings at 40,000????. Is there
something else it could be? I'd like to go into this repair at least a
little more informed than I am now. And I'm not happy about having to learn
this much about Ford rear ends, especially the hard way!!
Advocate - 09 Nov 2006 01:28 GMT
> I've got a 2004 F150 that had minor rear end noises at around 8,000 miles.
> That was supposedly due to the clutches in the limited slip rear (groaning
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> happy about having to learn this much about Ford rear ends, especially the
> hard way!!
I you had your vehicle checked at a Ford dealer three times and they were
not able to fix the problem, your warranty certainly isn't "up".
Complain again to the dealer, and work your way up to the regional offices
from there. I would file a complaint with my states Attorney General if Ford
refuses to fix the problem.
Joe - 09 Nov 2006 03:18 GMT
>> I've got a 2004 F150 that had minor rear end noises at around 8,000
>> miles. That was supposedly due to the clutches in the limited slip rear
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
> from there. I would file a complaint with my states Attorney General if
> Ford refuses to fix the problem.
I think it's about time to take the axle apart and see what's wrong with it.
There's nothing expensive in there, so it's not something to get too worried
about. If it was a choice between getting Ford to piddle around and fail to
fix it at their own expense, vs. paying your own money to actually fix it,
I'd just fix it.
If it is the bearings, they did fail awfully early, and were defective from
new. BUT no sense speculating until you tear it down.
Big Al - 10 Nov 2006 15:40 GMT
> I think it's about time to take the axle apart and see what's wrong with it.
> There's nothing expensive in there, so it's not something to get too worried
> about. If it was a choice between getting Ford to piddle around and fail to
> fix it at their own expense, vs. paying your own money to actually fix it,
> I'd just fix it.
Nothing expensive in there?? Where did that come from? :)
Al
SnoMan - 12 Nov 2006 19:22 GMT
>Complain again to the dealer, and work your way up to the regional offices
>from there.
I would try another dealer and contact regional office at same time. I
got GM to fix a problem out of warranty a few times that way. He has a
history and they should make it right. My "guess is that preload was
set too tight in rear axle when it was new and it has burned up the
carrier or pinion bearing since and now rear axle is basically a boat
anchor because all the bearings and gears in it will likely need
replacement now.
-----------------
TheSnoMan.com
CJB - 10 Nov 2006 16:48 GMT
> I've got a 2004 F150 that had minor rear end noises at around 8,000 miles.
> That was supposedly due to the clutches in the limited slip rear (groaning
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> happy about having to learn this much about Ford rear ends, especially the
> hard way!!
I had the identical problem in my E-150. Same axle as yours. The dealer
replaced the clutch packs, and then they had to replace them again because,
evidentally, the first ones were incorrectly installed.
These axles are normally very durable, but the Shop Manager at the dealer I
use told me that in recent years, the number of axle problems they see has
increased a little.
Go back to the dealer, and don't hesitate to get FoMoCo's customer service
involved if need be.
CJB
Eric - 18 Nov 2006 13:18 GMT
Just wanted to post what was found when the rear axle was turn down for
repair.
One axle bearing in particular was really destroyed. Every roller had
severe damage, looked like something was trashed around in the bearing and
took pieces out of some rollers and that beat up the other rollers.
Pinion bearing starting to go the same way, just not as severe yet. Other
axle bearings didn't look bad.
When I saw the differential gears after being removed from the rear end,
they looked good, but I could see some junk inside the assembly that will
be cleaned up before reassembly of the rear end.
I didn't do this work myself! Had a trusted transmission / gear shop do it.
After about 500 miles now, no original noise of the limited slip on tight
slow turns, and definitely no noise during normal or high speed driving (up
to 85 anyway).
Thanks to all who answered my first question.
Eric
> I've got a 2004 F150 that had minor rear end noises at around 8,000 miles.
> That was supposedly due to the clutches in the limited slip rear (groaning
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> happy about having to learn this much about Ford rear ends, especially the
> hard way!!
Mikey S. - 18 Nov 2006 19:13 GMT
The rear end is the only real problem I have had with my 2001 F150 in
175,000 miles of use. I had to have the rear end rebuilt twice, the first
time the pinion bearings failed, the second time it was an axle bearing,
both times we replaced all the seals and any questionable bearings, I just
hope this last time it outlasts the truck...though that could be a while,
engine runs like it's new, less that a quart of oil used between 5000 mile
changes and it's always been that way. The only expensive thing other than
the rear end that ever failed was my A/C compressor, I almost had to spend a
decent amount of money on the power module for the ABS but I found a heavy
wire that had corroded and burned off when I was going to remove it, I was
able to solder the wire back and save an expensive part and what looked like
a real PITA to change too.

Signature
Mike S.
> Just wanted to post what was found when the rear axle was turn down for
> repair.
[quoted text clipped - 37 lines]
>> happy about having to learn this much about Ford rear ends, especially
>> the hard way!!