I have an 03 Expedition Eddie Bauer, had it for 1 month now. We had a weekend away to El Paso,(about 250 mile drive) and we noticed a weird noise at @ 70km/hour. I think it may be to do with the transmission, it's kind of a groaning noise at 70 km/hour, but dissapears if i take my foot off the gas. Also it dissapears at speeds of over 100 km/hour. I checked the transmission oil before we left, and it was fine. Has anyone else had this problem. If so what was the cause. I'm pretty new to this site, and hope to use it frequently. Apart from that, the Expedition is AWESOME !!!!!

 

Just bought a used 2003 XLT this week and noticed a similar whining noise at 60/kph. This turns to a somewhat groaning noise when I take off my foot from the gas pedal and disappears at 40/kph. Really weird. At higher speed, i.e. upwards of 80/kph, the sound also disappears. What can be causing this? The truck has 33,000kms. on it so far. Hope it's got nothing to do with the transmission coz the last time this happened on the 1999 4x4 XLT which I just sold, it cost me an arm and a leg to have it, fixed not to mention the long downtime involved. Sure would appreciate feedback from anyone in the know. Thanks.

 

I have an 03 EB with 58,000 miles and don't have the noise. Could it be exhaust drone?

 

It's in the differential, I had the same exact thing. Check out this link:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/tsb/full...hp?tsb=05-23-3

 

Thanks Big Mike_951. Gulp! Looks like a major, and expensive, job. Thankfully there is a repair kit which hopefully would bring down the cost. Will let you know what the verdict is on this one by Friday next week. Incidentally, I am in the Philippines and I hope that the Ford dealership over here carries the repair kit. If not, at least I'll be the wiser if they tell me that the entire axle needs to be replaced. Hehe.

 

Hey Big Mike 951,

Thanks for that answer, maybe could be the problem. Did you have the fix done on your Expy? Was it an expensive fix? What would happen if you don't have the fix done? Is there any oil in the diff? Dya think it maybe empty?
Thanks again for the help.
Take it easy.

 

How many miles are on your expy? I would consider changing the gear oil in your rear differential which includes adding friction modifier to it. Expy's with limited slip rear ends are famous for making noise when the fluid gets dirty/old. I wouldn't assume it's an expensive fix YET. There's a bunch of threads concerning noisy rear ends.

 

Mine just makes a real loud hum when accelerating between 80kms and 90kms, then goes away. It's a 98 Eddie Bauer.

 

I did have the fixe done. I actually purchased it as a factory preowned. Got her home and about a week later I noticed it, I am sure it was there when I bought it but I didn't hear it on the test drive. It was hard for me to believe it was in the rear end because it sounded like it was coming from the front to mid part of the truck. The service advisor told me what it was and not to worry because I just purchased the vehicle so it would be free. He said it happens at about 33-35k miles most of the time, mine had 37k when I bought it. I don't really if you didn't have it fixed, maybe just living with the noise. Not sure about that though, maybe some else here could advise.

Hope this helps ya!

 

Mind has the whine, groan, whatever you what to call it. I bought it at 39k miles, and did not hear it on the test drive, and I was specifically listening for it at different road speeds. Naturally I hear it a couple of weeks after I bought it.

I changed out the diff fluid with Vavoline 75/140 synthetic. This gear oil has the friction modifier already in it. The noise is still there, but MUCH less. I have 48k miles now, and the noise is no worse than right after I changed the gear oil.

The factory gear oil looked terrible at 40k when I changed it.

 

I didn't notice a few discrepancies during test drive either. I think I was so excited that I tuned everything else out. Must happen to everyone.

 

Just had the verdict from the dealer and they confirm its the rear axle. They do carry the repair kit and it was not so badly priced either! Anyway, took aagitch's advise and told them in the 1st instance, to drain out the gear oil and replace with fresh Motorcraft fully synthetic rear axle gear oil plus Motorcraft XL-7 friction modifier. Will let everyone know if this was enough to cure the humming/groaning sound.

 

I have this issue too. At first I thought it was coming from the intake, but now I think it's the rear axle. I’ve read many post from other boards as well, and this seems to be a common issue with Expy rear pinions.<O</O

I get this humming; almost turbine like sound that happens at higher speeds, and goes away when I lift off the throttle.<O</O

My 04' EB has about 39,000 miles, and I just bought it pre-owned just 1,000 miles ago.<O</O

Luckily I purchased the extended warranty with a $50 deductible, so hopefully I can get my local Ford dealer to give her a look over and get this issue resolved!<O</O

 

Just got my truck back from the dealer. As mentioned, I had them drain off the old lube and replaced with full synthetic Motorcraft axle gear oil and Motorcraft friction modifier. Unfortunately, the humming sound is still there although not as loud and as prolonged as before. I guess I can live with the noise level for now. Will give an update if it gets any worse.

 

I have a 97 Expy with 160K miles on it and the rear end noise started around 50-60K, but very mild. Over the last 20K it is more pronoced. the last shop quoted $250 to open it up (said it was a bearing?). Then I read about a Ford pinion kit, TSB and recall notice. Anyone know what the cost of the kit is? Is it worth the dealer doing the work or can a good Saturday garage guy take care of it?