Ok fellas, I need some help. I bought a 2001 F-250 4x4 crew cab powerstroke diesel about a month ago. Before I bought it I had noticed that the rear axle differential (balloon looking feature, I guess its called a differentail) was wet looking. Almost like it was leaking grease or something. Anyway, I had the guys I bought it from check it out and they said it was just a loose bolt and not to worry about it. They also said they would spray some acid cleaner on it to remove the wet grease look from back there (never did that either).

Well, I work my truck pretty hard. I pull trailers moving storage buildings, decks, furniture, farm equipment, and other things. Since the time I bought it (about 30 days) I've but about 1400 miles on it.

Today I was working and noticed a slight burning smell whenever I got out of my truck. After finishing my last load , I crunk up the truck and put it in reverse and started hearing this really funny sound. It was like "squeak, eerk, squeak, eerk, etc." I thought it was the trailer I was pulling so I got out and inspected, all I noticed was the burning smell again. Not too profound, but enough that I noticed it. I didn't see anything out of the ordinary so I got back into the truck and started home. The squeking sound went away for good after I got over about 20mph and I havn't heard it since.

I always park the truck on cement at my house and have never noticed any oil or wet liquid under the truck (except the air conditioner). This really worries me, could I have a rear axle problem? I'm not mechanical savy at all, so all help would be greatly appreciated. Also, too make matters worse -- my 30 day warrenty expires today and I can't get anyone to look at at b/c all the service stores are closed. Please HELP!!

 

Has anyone bothered to check the gear lube level in the pumpkin? If not, and it was noticeably wet I'd have to say you deserve to burn it up. The burning smell makes sense because I literally caught one on fire years ago from running it so low for so long that it finally ignited the only lube left, fumes!!

 

No, I havn't checked the gear lub level in the pumpkin. I figured the dealership I bought it from had got it right, and just forgot to clean off the grease wet look. How do I check the gear lub level? By the way, thanks for the response and help

 

On one side or the other of the pumpkin there will be a pipe plug of some sorts about halfway up. I am telling you this from memory of doing other vehicles as I have never checked the one on my 250. Remove the plug with whatever tool is required and stick a finger in the hole towards the bottom and see if you can feel the gear lube. It should be filled to the bottom of the hole with whatever lube is recommended in the owners manuel. If it is completely dry (highly likely) you have probably damaged something. Fill it up for now and keep your fingers crossed.

 

thanks again I appreciate it.

 

Your sound description makes me think one of your universal joints on the driveshaft has failed. They make that sort of noise at very low speeds that you described: squeak, erk, squeak, erk.
By all means check your gear oil level. It's easily removed using a 3/8" socket drive ratchet head with no socket attached. You may be required to use an extention to get around a lump in the casting.
But while you are under there, give a very close look to all the u-joints on the driveline and see if there is any rust colored dust coming out from the X shaped joint.

 

would a bad u-joint cause a burning smell?

 

Yall ain't gonna believe this *****! While I was working this morning at my last stop, one of the guys working with me had put the parking brake on without my knowledge! Boy do I feel like a dumba**, oh well at least its nothing too serious.

The pumpkin was full of oil, and I used a degreaser to clean the outside of it off. I'll still think I'm gonna have it checked out though!

 

OH, I forgot to think you guys for all your excellent help! It is very appreciated!

 

did the rotors warp at all? if the pumpkin is leaking its a very easy job to pull the cover off and use some gasket sealer it seal it up. it uses 75-140 synthetic gearlube that can be kind of expensive but it doesnt take much and you dont have to do it often

 

Wow, isn't there a dash idiot light for that?

 

If it is anything like mine, the switch only works half the time...Something else I have to fix...

 

Mine has a idiot light and a bell that goes off if the parking brake is on

 

Mine only works half the time as well, when I read your post that was my first inclination on the source of the smell, can't tell you why I know that just do from experience. You can replace the little switch on the park brake pedal if it becomes a constant problem. I just got in the habbit of checking the park brake whenever someone else drives to be sure.