Hi,

I have a 2003 Expedition 4X2 EB and love it. However, lately, I've been hearing a grinding noise during turns if and only if I accelerate. If I just turn at normal speed without pressing the gas pedal, no noise is coming. I'm not sure if it's coming from the back or the front. Some folks mentioned bearing hub and my son also researched it and found out that I should change the differential oil.
I changed the gear box oil last year but what the heck is the differential oil? The transmission oil has been changed recently.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Warmest Regards
Al

 

The differential is the big round ball thing you see in the middle of the rear and front(4WD only) axles when you look under the truck.

As to the grinding noise, I also suggest a front wheel bearing/hub assembly.

 

Thanks Alloro,

So R U sure it's not the gear box or the transmission? Is thee noise coming from the front or the rear? I'm not able to tell.

thanks
Al

 

Do you have a limited slip differential (LSD)?
I'd say it's the clutch packs in the rear differential. If that is the case it is a relatively easy fix, and you need to make sure you add the friction modifier during the change. If over 100k miles consider adding 2 modifiers. The rear diff fluid should be chaged every 30k if you LSD.

 

thanks alwaysfords41

I believe it's the cluch in the differential too. Is it expensive to fix? Do I need to change the cluch at the dealer or any good mechanic can do it? Please help. I have no idea and don't want to get ripped off at the dealer.

Warmest regards

Al

 

You just need to change the fluid, not the clutches. The clutches are binding because the fluid has lost it's lubricating properties. There is a drain plug in the middle of the pumpkin that alloro described, and the fill port is a square drive plug on the driver side on the opposite side of the pumpkin (towards the front). Make sure you can get the fill plug out before you drain.

 

Hi alwaysfords41,

Thanks a mil for the info. So to summarize, I take it to dealer asking to change the gear box oil buy adding 2 units of friction modifier. Is that correct?

Warmest regards
Al

 

I'd stop calling it a gear box or they will be looking at your transmission.

Assuming you have the LSD and that the clutches are binding, you want the rear differential fluid changed. That should include 1 bottle of modifier as standard practice for LSDs. My dealer puts two bottles in trucks over 100k, and I have been doing the same for around 65k miles now on one of my Expeditions. The fluid change is around 2 quarts, the modifier is just a few ounces per bottle.

 

Thanks a mil for your comments. I changed the gear box oil including 2 quarts of friction additive and that seemed to have fixed it for now. Car has all new drive and feels much better. I hope it'll hold.

thanks again,

Ali

 

I have the same grinding noise when turning, they told me it was the tires so I change them and continue to do the same noise, they told me it was the axle, so I change both and still the same noise when turning I also did the change in the oil and still the same noise. Can someone help me!

 

Neither tires nor axles cause grinding noises when turning. What kind of idiot did that diagnosis?

This grinding noise, is it in the front or the rear?

 

Hi Liz,

Just change the oil tin the gear box to the one dealer uses and ask them use double viscosity. My problem went away. all done. Forget the rubbish others are posting.

 

The grinding noise is when you turn on the front, they also told me to change the back tires to see if that will stop the noise, but, my thing is the noise is in the front every time I turn or if I'm in a complete stop and turn.

 

How do you know it is the same sound?


This is the rubbish you should not listen to.
Continue to work through the problem with the people who are helping you, as many are professional mechanics.

 

Karimpoor

We did change the oil and still have the same issue