Please Help: 2003 Ford Explorer rear-end whine and hum problem!
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Please Help: 2003 Ford Explorer rear-end whine and hum problem!
I have a 2003 Ford Explorer 4.0L, with a rear-end whine and hum that is slowly getting worse.
It has been a problem for near 50,000 miles. There is about 80,000 miles now.
What exactly is the problem? Is this is a common problem?
Any recalls where Ford will replace the rear or "problem" for free?
Thanks for any help
It has been a problem for near 50,000 miles. There is about 80,000 miles now.
What exactly is the problem? Is this is a common problem?
Any recalls where Ford will replace the rear or "problem" for free?
Thanks for any help
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
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some will tell you it is the bearings, but after 50k miles i doubt you will beliee that.. i changed the rear axle lube on out 2002 and the rear end started the whine about 300 miles after that. i had used 80-w90 straight gear lube. beliving the trouble was related to the gear mesh and nothing else had changed, i drained the oil, reinstalled full synthetic 75 w 140 gear lube and added a 7 oz tube of friction modifier (this is used in the F150 trucks). The friction modifier changes the oil viscosity and makes it "slippery" so the limitied slip clutch plates will not drag (in the F150)... long story short, about 90% of the whine was gone almost immediately. That was 2 years ago. I cant say if it was the synthetic lube, the thicker weight of the lube, or the change in viscosity due to the friction modifier, but it did work. Several others have said they had luck with this also. Now if your problem is a bad pinion bearing, it wont help.... but again, you had the noise for 50k miles.- i think that means gear mesh noise.
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Many including me have had new gear sets installed under warranty. It was quiet for a short time and came back. I am not sure anyone knows the cause or the prognosis long term but I am not too worried about it at this point. To me its just a noise. Try Steve's idea. If you have some "real" problem, I think you will be looking at 1500 or so to replace the ring and pinion.
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04 explorer 4.0L, 2Wd. Just had my right rear wheel bearing replaced by ford dealer, 67,000mi. I was experiencing hum / noise from rear of vehicle- thought it was from tires (original set). I replaced the tires- noise was still there. I found many complaints on other internet sites about Explorer early wheel bearing failure, right rear in particular. Although no recalls are valid for this, my dealer replaced it with a 200.00 deductible on the 100k powertrain warranty.
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: florida
i have had a simalar noise for about 45000 miles now. I bought my explorer when it had about 30000 miles on it. I heard a slight noise but thought tires. I have now put about 45000 miles on it and it is still there. I am sure that if it was a bearing or such it would have showed its ugly face by now. I just had new tires put on mine and it didnt change . they told me bearings were fine. I just took mine on vacation no problems. I guess mine is the gear mesh problem. do they come stock with the 75w140w sythetic oil in the differential? is that what i should do is get the fluid replaced and have the friction modifier added? or should i just leave it alone and just drive it? I guess it is probably just a comfort decision. live with noise or try to get rid of it. whats your opionon?
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I had my '03's rear axle replaced under warranty, then the new one was ok for a little while before the "rear end hum" returned. I believe there was a TSB on this issue.
The noise doesn't get any worse, and I always know when I'm doing 55 w/o looking at the speedometer.
The noise doesn't get any worse, and I always know when I'm doing 55 w/o looking at the speedometer.
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Senior User
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Any way possible to show the dealership that this is a problem, and that they can do it for free under a "TSB" or recall?
Thanks guys.
Thanks guys.
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I don't have access to the TSBs anymore, you can find brief summaries on different sites like Alldata. If you want the whole TSB you usually need a subscription.
As far as getting it done for free, mine was done while still under warranty, I don't think they'll do it for free just because they have a TSB on it. There was no recall issued.
As far as getting it done for free, mine was done while still under warranty, I don't think they'll do it for free just because they have a TSB on it. There was no recall issued.
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Joined: Aug 2008
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Ford Explorer rear end whine
Have 2004 Explorer 4 Liter that had a mild rear end whine at 50k mi . Increased to major whine at 65k mi.
The Bearing on one end of the differential case froze and turned on its mounting flange wearing it out of round and making the differential case un repairable.
I bought a used rear end and salvaged the parts. Total cost with 3.5 hours labour 1400cnd$
The Bearing on one end of the differential case froze and turned on its mounting flange wearing it out of round and making the differential case un repairable.
I bought a used rear end and salvaged the parts. Total cost with 3.5 hours labour 1400cnd$
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02 Explorer rear end whine help
some will tell you it is the bearings, but after 50k miles i doubt you will beliee that.. i changed the rear axle lube on out 2002 and the rear end started the whine about 300 miles after that. i had used 80-w90 straight gear lube. beliving the trouble was related to the gear mesh and nothing else had changed, i drained the oil, reinstalled full synthetic 75 w 140 gear lube and added a 7 oz tube of friction modifier (this is used in the F150 trucks). The friction modifier changes the oil viscosity and makes it "slippery" so the limitied slip clutch plates will not drag (in the F150)... long story short, about 90% of the whine was gone almost immediately. That was 2 years ago. I cant say if it was the synthetic lube, the thicker weight of the lube, or the change in viscosity due to the friction modifier, but it did work. Several others have said they had luck with this also. Now if your problem is a bad pinion bearing, it wont help.... but again, you had the noise for 50k miles.- i think that means gear mesh noise.
I recently purchased an 02 Explorer that's in pretty good shape overall (I'm driving a 92), I've been repairing a few issues like oil filter adapter plate gasket, trans fluid filter & oil change, etc, to make it right.
I do have a hum in the rear end on acceleration. I've read several threads, and thought it would be worth a try to try this idea of using the XL3 Friction modifier.
I don't see 7oz. tubes, but ordered 2) 4oz bottles, and 2 quarts of Lucas 75 w 140 synthetic gear lube. Should I use the 8 oz of xl3 and fill it the rest of the way with the gear lube, or?
If I can get this quieted down, and figure out a battery drain issue, it should be a pretty decent vehicle. Any help would be appreciated, thanks in advance!
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