Hey Guys:
I have a 2004 Ford F150 with 106,000 miles. It has had the typical rear end whine (ring and pinion) noise for a year or so. Now I have a leaking axle seal on the left side. Option 1: I can get a "rebuilt" rear end from Powertrain products for $1349.00 and I can install it myself. Comes with a 3 year warranty.
Option 2: To take my truck and have new seals and a new ring and pinion installed by my mechanic is going to run probably close to $1200.00 and that doesn't replace axle bearings, etc. nor anything else that might need to be replaced once it is broken down. So it could run more.
I'm leaning toward getting the rebuilt rear end from Powertrain just so I know all parts have been replaced plus I have a 3 year warranty and I feel more confident all parts have been set properly since it comes from a professional rebuilder.
I could just replace the seal and keep on driving, but since you have to open up the rear anyways, I just thought this might be the time to fix the whine as well.
Am I leaning in the "right" direction with a rebuilt? Or do you have any other advice?? I am considering just replacing the seal and maybe adding new fluids which might "reduce" the whine noise possibly. This is the cheaper way out for sure.
Thanks,
Kim

 

The bearings are the problem with these axles, when I looked up the TSB for this that is what Ford was replacing and not necessarally the R&P, so that's what my father had done on his 05(by an independent shop) and sure enough problem solved.

 

Even if its the r/p that is making noise it probably just needs adjusted not replaced. If you can learn to do it you'r self you should only need about $200-500 in parts. If you pull it a part and its fraged put it back together and get a reman. But at least pull the cover and have a look.

 

I'd check the rear end vent also if the seal is leaking,(it fixed the leak ,on 2 out three I had leak.

,just,,changing the fluid fixed up a rearend whine on a dodge I worked on a few years back.

 

I'm in same boat, had work done at a dealership, now I have the whine at 20+ mph. Had front seal changed (122k) cause it was leaking. After reading 20+ post on the whine, I understand I can have a mechanic try to re-align the thing, and still have noise. Couple of post stated new fluid can make it happen. Otherwise, I'm leaning toward getting the complete rebuilt unit from the company listed on this thread and be done with it.

 

IMHO, It sounds like to need to locate a good diff shop...this sounds like it is a small repair not a rebuild/replacement but the shop is not going to know for sure until the diff is opened up. If you are in SoCal I can recomment a very good shop.