the drive shaft lube service bulletin is for a "clunk" when you stomp on the throttle from a dead stop. one clunk, no more.----- good luck with them.

 

there is a service bulletin to replace the clutch packs in the rear end to eliminate the chatter. i have an 2004 f-150 and i also work for the deaker so i am very famliar with these problems in the f150. mine did exactly that and the chatter is gone. tell them to replace the clutch packs and it will be fine

 

Thanks for the info Yellow Rules, Do you know if that TSB covers 2003 F150 Trucks, I want to be prepared when I go back to the dealer.

 

it's the same TSB

 

Thanks! 03red

 

1997 f-150 - 96k miles with the limited slip 3.55, chattering like you are all describing on sharp turns from a stop, and a low speed "clunk clunk clunk" as my tires go around. So have them replace the clutch packs? is this something that can be done in a driveway with decent knowledge of my truck, or should i bring it somewhere. one more thing... anyone here have it done NOT under warranty and know how much it will lighten my wallet?

 

Ford dealer claims it is not the clutch packs, first time to the dealer lubricated the spline drive, second time to the dealer replaced spline drive. I do not have the chatter anymore but it has turned into a roar instead of a chatter. I still have 3 months on my warranty. I dont know how expensive it is to replace clutch packs. I still think something is not right and I still have warranty time left.

 

My '99 F-150 does that too, but I always figured it was wheel hop. I always tried to limit how much I let it chatter like that, but its good to hear that its not a major concern, just an annoyance.

 

I drive a '02 E350 15 pass van for work. At 400,000 miles the rear end started this same chatter. I let it go according to Fords word with new fluid. Trashed the entire rearend plus one axle bearing. Ford rebuilt (our $$) the rearend and all was good for 12,000 miles. Same noise returned as described here. They checked it for damage and saw none. I had the dealer add double the friction modifier and now.... at 597,000 miles, there has been no more noise.

BTW, at 597,000 miles in 4 years, the 5.4 (all accessories also) and trans. are original. Rearend and front end are the only items having to be rebuilt. Ford Tough is right.

 

Im going to add the Friction Modifier today and see if that makes any difference before I go and have someone tear the rearend apart. I will re-post with my results. Thanks for continuing a great post guys... (Hey, AZPete, cheers to that van of yours, almost 600k miles and no real problems... Nice)

 

Had the same chatter in my 01 screw. Replaced the clutch packs ($740.00) Canadian recently and the truck drives like new at 229 000km.

 

I think I am having this same problem, not all the time though, how much am I looking at to have a stealership replace the clutch packs? it's on a 2000 F-150 Lariat 5.4 with the H9 rear end. I am kinda hoping it's not a huge amount, as at the moment am looking to have to replace the viscous coupler on my wifes Jeep and I think that runs around $500 at least

What (and where) can I find friction modifier? and can I add it myself? also if the cost to get the clutch packs changed is a lot, I have read about changing the gear ratio to get a bit more off the line speed (I have a 3.55 rear I believe) is this something I can get done at the same time and save a bit of money?

Thanks.

 

Friction Modifier can be bought at almost any auto parts store like Awful Zone or wherever, but I always like to stick with factory stuff (Motorcaft) - I went to my local "Stealership" (<------ thats halarious, thanks) and bough it for $4.50 for 4 ounces. All you will need is 4 ounces, the bigger diffs on the bigger trucks use 8. and Yes, you inject the stuff into the fill plug just like the normal diff lube. I used a little Macgyver technique though... I bought a cheap "Flavor Injector" from my local Wal-Mart. All it is is like a huge seringe, I poured the bottle into this seringe thing, and injected it into the plug. Worked for me I'm sure there are other ways, but it worked like a charm for me though, i couldnt think of any other way. Im open to ideas here...

One last thing, if you want to change the ratio of your rear end... I would think that doing it at the time the clutch packs are replaced is a good idea, **I haven't done this though** So maybe someone else can add their two cents.

 

Have an appoinment Tuesday am to look at a few "issues"- one being the shudder in the rearend when making a sharp left turn when still cold. All this being done before the warranty is up on 6/15/06. Hope they don't make this into a timing issue[like "hey we didn't realize you needed clutch packs until after your warranty expired"]. This type of info may provide some ammo. Great resource.