differential noise
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New User
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Mississippi
differential noise
Have a '97 LWD X-Cab with 73K miles. It has started having a howling whine in the differential more pronounced between 40 mph and 60 mph.
I have been driving pickups since the late 40's and have never had any rear drive train problems. The truck has very little towing miles and 99% of the miles have been without a load.
I have been told it is bearing problems.
Have any of the readers had troubles like this, and if so, what was the solution and, more importantly, the cost? Thinking that it might be the center bearing, I had it replaced. I cannot see it because of a rubber boot, but it must be gold-plated. It cost $125 including shipping charges.
I have been driving pickups since the late 40's and have never had any rear drive train problems. The truck has very little towing miles and 99% of the miles have been without a load.
I have been told it is bearing problems.
Have any of the readers had troubles like this, and if so, what was the solution and, more importantly, the cost? Thinking that it might be the center bearing, I had it replaced. I cannot see it because of a rubber boot, but it must be gold-plated. It cost $125 including shipping charges.
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Mississippi
differential noise
>Have a '97 LWD X-Cab with 73K miles. It has started having
>a howling whine in the differential more pronounced between
>40 mph and 60 mph.
>I have been driving pickups since the late 40's and have
>never had any rear drive train problems. The truck has very
>little towing miles and 99% of the miles have been without a
>load.
>
>I have been told it is bearing problems.
>
>Have any of the readers had troubles like this, and if so,
>what was the solution and, more importantly, the cost?
>Thinking that it might be the center bearing, I had it
>replaced. I cannot see it because of a rubber boot, but it
>must be gold-plated. It cost $125 including shipping
>charges.
>a howling whine in the differential more pronounced between
>40 mph and 60 mph.
>I have been driving pickups since the late 40's and have
>never had any rear drive train problems. The truck has very
>little towing miles and 99% of the miles have been without a
>load.
>
>I have been told it is bearing problems.
>
>Have any of the readers had troubles like this, and if so,
>what was the solution and, more importantly, the cost?
>Thinking that it might be the center bearing, I had it
>replaced. I cannot see it because of a rubber boot, but it
>must be gold-plated. It cost $125 including shipping
>charges.
New User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
differential noise
My name is George. I have a 98 4.6L, 3.08 rear end. At 52k miles just after I bought it from an individual I noticed the classic "high speed whine". I asked around, took it to two Ford dealers who had two different sets of opinions, then finally took it to a guy who everyone around here claims is the best rear end man around. After driving it he concluded without a doubt that it was the rear end. I of course was up the creek without a paddle. It cost me $800 to replace. The important thing is to replace it with the correct synthetic fluid.
It may last a long time or it might not. I couldn't put up with the noise.
Sorry for the bad news.
It may last a long time or it might not. I couldn't put up with the noise.
Sorry for the bad news.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 11,496
Likes: 6
From: Kansas
differential noise
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 07-Jan-02 AT 10:13 PM (EST)]It is also possible that a wheel bearing has gone bad. If that's what it is I would look for some oil leakage at the axle shaft when you remove the brake drum/wheel if you have rotors.
If it is the rear end - they are not as hard to remove as you would think.
If it is the rear end - they are not as hard to remove as you would think.
New User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
differential noise
i have a 97 with only 43K on it, and i have already had the rear end rebuilt.
while having the breaks checked, the tech noticed bearing grease/oil on the inside of the drums and on some of the hardware. the reason for this was the seals were going bad, which was due to the bearings going bad,..I ended up having both sides rebuilt.
luckily it fell under my ext. warantee. otherwise,..i think i would have put up with it until 72K as you have.
while having the breaks checked, the tech noticed bearing grease/oil on the inside of the drums and on some of the hardware. the reason for this was the seals were going bad, which was due to the bearings going bad,..I ended up having both sides rebuilt.
luckily it fell under my ext. warantee. otherwise,..i think i would have put up with it until 72K as you have.
New User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: regina canada
differential noise
i have a 2001 f150 4.6 aut. with 5000 miles. i have a high piched noise simular as to the one you describe, it is very evident as the weather gets colder,it also seems very inside the cab. could this be a differential problem as well?
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