Drive Train Issue
Thread Starter
|
4wd High
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9
Likes: 1
Drive Train Issue
I have a 2011 F150 3.5 L eco-boost, lariat, 4X4. Recently, I am experiencing what I can only describe as a binding in the drive train. It only happens at low speeds, under load, for instance, when I’m turning out of a parking space. It kind of feels like when you have it in four-wheel-drive on dry pavement. But it’s not in four-wheel-drive. One shop I took it to says I need to replace the entire rear axle. Has Anyone experienced this, and could tell me what it might be?
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 2,909
Likes: 503
This sounds like when a limited grip doesn't have friction modifier. Im surprised the factory limited grip could be this aggressive so I'm suspecting something may be failing to the point of not allowing the differential to properly differentiate.
I'd pull the cover.
I'd pull the cover.
Thread Starter
|
4wd High
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9
Likes: 1
yes, both for high and for Low. I also turned on and off the traction control many times. I haven’t tried backing up in four-wheel-drive yet. Think I’ll do that tomorrow.
Thread Starter
|
4wd High
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9
Likes: 1
I took it to a transmission shop near where I work. They said they drained the rear differential and found no shavings or anything. They are the ones that told me I need to replace the entire rear axle for $8000. It’s funny, this is the shop that I took the truck to in February For an oil change and had him change the rear differential fluid while I was there. Seems suspicious to me.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
4wd High
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9
Likes: 1
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 7,128
Likes: 1,945
From: Sportsman's Paradise
You may need to pull a little fluid out of the differential to get it all in. Just make sure you pour the WHOLE bottle in. Once it's in, go drive figure 8's in a field somewhere to get it all circulated into the diff clutch pack then give it a few days of driving to notice, if any, improvement.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 2,909
Likes: 503
Yeah don't go to the dealer without trying FM yourself.
If you must, just suck some gear oil out with a turkey baster or you can buy fluid extractors at Autozone et al (around $20)
Dump in the whole bottle and more doesn't hurt -- you could do a double dose.
What's your axle code on door jamb sticker?
If you must, just suck some gear oil out with a turkey baster or you can buy fluid extractors at Autozone et al (around $20)
Dump in the whole bottle and more doesn't hurt -- you could do a double dose.
What's your axle code on door jamb sticker?
Thread Starter
|
4wd High
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9
Likes: 1
Before you do, get a bottle of Friction Modifier off Amazon. They may not have put any in after they did the drain and refill. When I worked at the Ford dealer, we repaired many transmission shudder and rear end issues like yours with it. It may fix the problem you're experiencing.
You may need to pull a little fluid out of the differential to get it all in. Just make sure you pour the WHOLE bottle in. Once it's in, go drive figure 8's in a field somewhere to get it all circulated into the diff clutch pack then give it a few days of driving to notice, if any, improvement.
You may need to pull a little fluid out of the differential to get it all in. Just make sure you pour the WHOLE bottle in. Once it's in, go drive figure 8's in a field somewhere to get it all circulated into the diff clutch pack then give it a few days of driving to notice, if any, improvement.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 7,128
Likes: 1,945
From: Sportsman's Paradise
Thank you so much for your advice! I finally got around to adding the friction modifier. (I am old, and crawling underneath the truck is not easy for me). I noticed an immediate improvement. I’ve driven it about 20 miles and there’s only a small hint of the problem. I’m hoping it goes away completely after I find a field that I can do some figure 8´s in. Now I have to go back to the shop that changed the differential fluid and 1) to try and get a refund for both the original fluid change, and 2) the subsequent misdiagnosis, after charging me about $250 diagnostic fee. Either they are incompetent, and didn’t know to add the friction modifier, or they did this intentionally to try and charge me $8000 for a new rear axle. I’m just hoping that there’s no permanent damage. Again, thank you. You saved me a $7087!
I would definitely demand the money back on a failed diagnosis charge and any other fees associated.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
fernando007
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
1
Dec 22, 2009 12:52 PM
BEAL73
Clutch, Transmission, Differential, Axle & Transfer Case
4
Sep 15, 2006 08:24 AM