Hey guys, I'm new here to the F-150's forum although I've owned a few since 2001. I bought this F-150 '05 5.4L Lariat. Really nice truck. But when I purchased it, it had this weird noise inside the cabin. I thought because it had a camper on it that some tranny noise was coming up thru the camper and the rear cab. After taking camper off, the noise was still there. From everything I've read online, it could be rear pinion seal, differential bearing, tranny, front hubs, etc. I have left a video. Pay close attention to the little whine. Kinda hard to hear if your not listening for it.

note- when i drive it is most definitely coming from the middle to rear of the truck. But I'm not ruling out anything. I have looked underneath the truck and the differential is dry and the driveshaft area near diff is dry. No leaks. I have not checked fluid in diff. Is there an easy way for these trucks? I have read and heard about adding an additive? Thoughts??

Oh and yes, the noise starts at about 10-15 mph all the way up to 80. I've never taken it past 80 but i'm sure it's still there.
And i do apologize to anyone I offend by shooting video and driving. I was safe about it as I just put my cell phone facing the rear while i drove.:-)

 

My 2004 has the same noise. I couldn't find anything wron with mine years ago and decided to just drive it. I think it could go 5k miles or 100k. I have put 30k on mine with no change in the whining noise. My opinion ignore it. Might be wrong.

 

Thankx....not really worried about it either. It just sucks when I dont want to hear the radio and my quietness is drowned by this noise. Lol....

 

The first thing I would do is to rule out tire or wheel bearing noise. Each of these actions has its own method. If that failed to find it, I would then check the rear fluid. If you can't do that on your model without draining it, go ahead and replace it with the Ford fluid.

 

same here, bought the truck at 67k, and at 212k it still has that whine, I believe it's the nature of the beast with the rear end, I have noticed that there is more "slop" in the pinion than normal, Just make sure you replace the rear gear oil with the proper synthetic 75w-90 oil and friction modifier. the harmonics of the cab must quiet down everything but driveline noises. it's odd, but normal imo

 

2004 101000 miles. Whined since I bought it around 4 years ago. 30,000 miles. Starts around 50 MPH and quiets a bit, but always there over 50. Had a mechanic, albeit biased, tell me the rear end was shot. That was at about 75000 miles. Still driving it. I changed the fluid and have the Ford conditioner stuff in there. I agree with previous posts. An issue with the first year production and probably will run 200,000 miles. I plan to keep ignoring it.

 

Hey Fellas, I have the same exact issues with my 2005 Ford Explorer. Just fed up with getting these outrageous bills from the Ford service folks. At 90k it was the tranny, then the rear end seals. Last week at 130k a 'howl' could be heard from the rear-center and it was a passenger rear wheel bearing and they informed me that the rear end is also alerting to a minor noise. I was reluctant to let them proceed. Now after a couple of weeks I feel like, yes there is a mild wine when i accelerate. I want to try a few of your suggestions before I start tracking down a salvage rear end and plop the big wad on this vehicle that is starting to prove to be not worth the hassle.

based on suggestions, I want to do my own 'Rear Gear Oil' change, What brand of Synthetic 75w-90 rear gear oil is suggested. What type/brand of Friction Modifier should I purchase?.

& What else can I be handy or schooled in this jargon about please leave your thoughts. Thanks n advance.

 

How To: 3rd Gen Rear Pinion Seal and Gear Oil Replacement - Ford Explorer and Ranger Forums "Serious Explorations"®

 

Our 2002 EXP developed a "whine" about 30K miles... I drove it until it was about 160K miles and started to get a little louder. At that point I pulled it apart and installed new pinion / bevel gear/ output shaft bearings... 95% of noise gone today. Pinion bearing was overheated. I think it was "TIGHT" during initial factory setup. I did change the gear lube 3-4 times over the 165K life. I used 75 w 140 semi synthetic each time. Your like to the "FORUM" shows the drain and fill... and he is using generic Wal Mart oil --- OK.