I own a 02 f-250 psd 4x4 with esof, with 3200 miles on it. when i put it into 4hi or 4lo i hear a pretty serious sounding, shutter\ growling\vibration from the front end. this happens only under power. i have owned other 4-wheel drive vehicles and the drivetrains sounded much quieter. is this a problem? or is it because it is such a heavy duty truck. could it be that the drive shaft is out of balance?,or a differential\transer case problem. i really hate the idea of bringing it back to the dealer with some unknown problem.i am concerned about it being that it is such a new truck. has anyone else experienced this? thanks in advance bruce

 

Well, Bruce, I would first check the hubs and make sure both are in the free position. Put it in 4HI and see if your problem persists. If it does, I would then lock the hubs manually (turn 'em to lock position), put into 4HI and see if the problem persists.

The hubs may not be engaging properly or only one engaging. The manual "override" can help determine that.

If the sound persists, let us know. We'll move to step two. That is, unless someone here posts step 2 ahead of time! Ain't this a great place!

 

>Well, Bruce, I would first check the hubs and make sure
>both are in the free position. Put it in 4HI and see
>if your problem persists. If it does, I would then lock the
>hubs manually (turn 'em to lock position), put into 4HI and
>see if the problem persists.
>
>The hubs may not be engaging properly or only one engaging.
>The manual "override" can help determine that.
>
>If the sound persists, let us know. We'll move to step two.
>That is, unless someone here posts step 2 ahead of time!
>Ain't this a great place!
Hi Monsta, thanks for getting back to me. I have already done what you said to do. and the problem is still present. thanks alot. what else do you think it could be? thanks again, bruce

 

Do you HEAR a "growl" and FEEL a vibration or is it just a noise? Regardless, you might go drive a couple of others to see if they have the same issue(s). If so, it's probably just the HD front end. If not, take it in for service.

 

Well, with only 3200 miles on it, let's not go into real technical stuff. I agre with NoMo that you should drive others that are YOUR year (meaning with hte Dana 60 front) to see if the noise is present in them. But if you noticed it, then I don't think it's normal.

Your axle could be low on fluid. Maybe it wasn't filled properly at the factory. That's not too hard to believe if true. They are human, just like us, and can make mistakes.

All the other "checks" for symptoms like yours are time consuming to check and are usually the result of prolonged wear.

If you can, check the fluid. Then check in to your dealer!

 

>Well, with only 3200 miles on it, let's not go into real
>technical stuff. I agre with NoMo that you should drive
>others that are YOUR year (meaning with hte Dana 60 front)
>to see if the noise is present in them. But if you noticed
>it, then I don't think it's normal.
>
>Your axle could be low on fluid. Maybe it wasn't filled
>properly at the factory. That's not too hard to believe if
>true. They are human, just like us, and can make
>mistakes.
>
>All the other "checks" for symptoms like yours are time
>consuming to check and are usually the result of prolonged
>wear.
>
>If you can, check the fluid. Then check in to your
>dealer!
Hi again Monsta, I think I will check the axle fluid. Could you tell me how to do this, and if it is low what type of gear oil is needed. thanks again. bruce

 

It is a 80/90W gear oil. Ford fills it with synthetic so you may be wiser to let the dealer do it. You don't need to go putting the wrong stuff in or mixing two different ones whilst under warranty.

On the front face of the differential case (pumpkin) is a plug. Remove it. The fluid should be level with the bottom of this opening when on a level surface. If low, once again, take it to your dealer.

Hope that is the problem! It's an easy fix. But can't help to think that maybe some excessive wear happened. They should pull the cover and give it all a thorough inspection. Let us know what happens!

 

>It is a 80/90W gear oil. Ford fills it with synthetic so you
>may be wiser to let the dealer do it. You don't need to go
>putting the wrong stuff in or mixing two different ones
>whilst under warranty.
>
>On the front face of the differential case (pumpkin) is a
>plug. Remove it. The fluid should be level with the bottom
>of this opening when on a level surface. If low, once again,
>take it to your dealer.
>
>Hope that is the problem! It's an easy fix. But can't help
>to think that maybe some excessive wear happened. They
>should pull the cover and give it all a thorough inspection.
>Let us know what happens!
Thank you Monsta, I will check it tomorrow,I'll let you know what I find out. If the fluid is low, I hope no permanent damage was done. I would hate to get into some warranty issue with ford. thanks for your help, its much appreciated.

 

monsta-
You sure about the synthetic lube in the front differential? I ask because my 2001 owner's manual just says use 75W-90 lubricant for the front with no mention of "synthetics". The spec for the rear axle indicates that synthetic is required.

 

Whoops on the synthetic!! My manual states 80/90 HOWEVER newer models could be different and it may be different with the D60 he has. Thanks for keepin' me honest!

 

My '01 still has the D50 so I don't know for sure either. That's why I was asking. ;-)

When you say 80/90, does that mean your manual calls for straight 80 or 90 weight lube? I'm not familiar with that designation. :-X11

 

I'm lookin' at the CD manual. It states the front differential fluid is SAE 80W/90 Premium rear axle lubricant (I know it's the front) Ford Spec WSP-M2C197-A.

 

Ah, I found it in my printed owner's manual. I just wasn't looking at it right. :-X23

That 80W-90 weight is listed as being for the D80 rear axle used in DRW trucks.

 

Looks like a mistake in this CD manual then, huh?:-(

 

Or the printed book... you just can't tell which, if either, is correct. Luckily, there is a tag on the diff that tells which weight to use- at least there are tags on my trucks.