Axle Whine
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Axle Whine
I have an 04 XLT 4x4 5.4 with the 9.75 rear and 3.73 ratio. I have 76,000 miles and am now experiencing a whine between 50 and 65. I researched and found a tsb and a ford part number which includes a new ring & pinion, pinion bearings, differential bearings, and seals. I went back into the archives to see the problems with rear end noise. It seems like most of you have had your trucks in the shop multiple times for the same repair. I am going to overhaul this rear myself very soon and was wondering if anyone who had the problems consistantly had any luck on the fix. I really don't want to pull this thing apart and put it back together and end up with the same issue. I will be taking this truck for a 1,000 mile trip (each way) and noises irritate me. One thing I noticed is Ford recommends 75W-140 instead of the 75W-90 which came with the truck. I guess this is possibly what caused the problem to begin with. Any helpful experiences would be great!
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From: Hockley, Tx.
About to take mine in for the 4th time for the whine. I hope you know what you are doing when you rebuild your own rearend. I hear that it is usually a job for trained experts, I think mainly in setting the lash (I think that's it).
I really wish they would just replace the rearend and driveshaft this time. I could probably go the lemon law route, but I have added many things to my truck, and would hate to start over.
Good Luck
I really wish they would just replace the rearend and driveshaft this time. I could probably go the lemon law route, but I have added many things to my truck, and would hate to start over.
Good Luck
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Joined: Oct 2006
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From: San Marcos, TX
A local independent shop owner, that has repaired several..claims it is due to bearing & race failure....that it's like the outer skin of the race just flakes off.. letting the works run loose..... is there any truth to this??
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From: Marion, VA
I got mine out of the shop yesterday after the third repair. The first dealer kept claiming it was faulty parts supplied by Ford but I don't think so. I think it is an installation problem. As stated, getting the lash set properly is critical and it is not for the inexperienced or someone who doesn't have that "touch". My first repair attempt was done by a know it all-fix it all mechanic who was let go shortly after my first repair. The second repair was done by a mechanic who had just come from training and mine was the first one he had attempted. When it started whining again, I took it back to the repairing dealer (very small) and they didn't (probably didn't want to) hear anything so I wrote Ford (total of 4 times) and they sent me to another dealer who recognized the problem immediately and had a mechanic with many years experience repair it (he and I both fondly remember the 9" rears that never broke and you could swap out between races).
It might be wise if you had the rear end assembled by somebody who is really good (racing shops seem to have the really good ones). Since it is your money, I would see if I could find a good used one.
It might be wise if you had the rear end assembled by somebody who is really good (racing shops seem to have the really good ones). Since it is your money, I would see if I could find a good used one.
Last edited by osbornk; Oct 6, 2006 at 08:04 AM.
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From: Omaha NE
Took mine back 4 times to 2 different dealers. I "hope" this time its works! It has been quiet for 2500 miles so far. Which is better than the other 3 times. I think they got tired of me and took the proper time to set it right.
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
My dad had his 04 XLT in twice for this, including having the new updated parts put in the second time, and he still has the whine.
I have the whine in my 04 FX4 too, but it's only from 50 to 55 mph, and I mostly do local driving so I'm not going to waste my time taking it in.
I have the whine in my 04 FX4 too, but it's only from 50 to 55 mph, and I mostly do local driving so I'm not going to waste my time taking it in.
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My feeling is the techs do not take the time to set up the rears correctly. They need to use a dial indicator, and blue the gears. I wonder if this really gets done other then just throw new parts at it and slap them together. Personally I think going back multiple times for the same problem is due to sloppy install!
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From: Marion, VA
Originally Posted by KevinM
My feeling is the techs do not take the time to set up the rears correctly. They need to use a dial indicator, and blue the gears. I wonder if this really gets done other then just throw new parts at it and slap them together. Personally I think going back multiple times for the same problem is due to sloppy install!
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From: Marion, VA
I got the ticket for the repair of my rear end last week. They had to install a differential assembly because the carrier was loose and it wore the housing. They apparently didn't tighten the bolts properly the last time. The last time, the rear was quiet for a while and then started again. The problem was poor workmanship and not the fault of Ford. I talked to the mechanic this time before the repair and he was an old codger that was very experienced and knew what he was doing rather than a trainee.
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Thanks for the replies, I ended up taking it back to Ford and let them do it. I so happens that the first time they did it, it was worse than before, they said wait about 500 miles and come back, so I went back,
claimed bad set of gears, overhauled for the second time by another mechanic which happend to be the same mechanic that did the cam phaser job, which I was pleased with, I have no more whine but picked up a vibration between 65 to 75. I will return in a couple of weeks after I return from my trip. 
I can't understand why everyone has so many repeat problems with these rears, including myself. This differential has been around for years. Whether its parts or mechanics, you would think they would have enough experience in what works to fix it. I guess I could take it to Wal-Mart and see if they could fix it. 
claimed bad set of gears, overhauled for the second time by another mechanic which happend to be the same mechanic that did the cam phaser job, which I was pleased with, I have no more whine but picked up a vibration between 65 to 75. I will return in a couple of weeks after I return from my trip. I can't understand why everyone has so many repeat problems with these rears, including myself. This differential has been around for years. Whether its parts or mechanics, you would think they would have enough experience in what works to fix it. I guess I could take it to Wal-Mart and see if they could fix it.
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From: Hockley, Tx.
As we speak, mine is going in next week for the 5th time. Dealer claims an update just came out, so we shall see. Odd thing is that I now have a whine at 40-45mph as well as 65-70...Hummmmmmm