Differential Problem?
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New User
Joined: Oct 1999
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Differential Problem?
Hi,
I just bought a 2001 extended cab 4x4 with the 5.4l. I've only had it a month or so and have noticed something strange going in in the rear end.
When i am stoped and then take off and make a sharp right turn, i feel a slight shutter coming from behind me and i think toward the right. It only lasts a second and its fairly slight but you can feel it. I also notcie it in my driveway which is very steep. When i get near the top and make a hard right, i feel the same thing. These are the only times i noticed it.
Also, since this truck is new to me, I was wondering what, if any sound I should hear coming from the back while driving. The only thin I notice is a slight mechanical sound - doesnt sound like anything bad to me, but I wondered what other people's trucks sounded like.
The truck has 33,000 miles and still has facory warrenty.
Any ideas what may be wrong? Or is this normal?
Thanks for your help,
Rod
I just bought a 2001 extended cab 4x4 with the 5.4l. I've only had it a month or so and have noticed something strange going in in the rear end.
When i am stoped and then take off and make a sharp right turn, i feel a slight shutter coming from behind me and i think toward the right. It only lasts a second and its fairly slight but you can feel it. I also notcie it in my driveway which is very steep. When i get near the top and make a hard right, i feel the same thing. These are the only times i noticed it.
Also, since this truck is new to me, I was wondering what, if any sound I should hear coming from the back while driving. The only thin I notice is a slight mechanical sound - doesnt sound like anything bad to me, but I wondered what other people's trucks sounded like.
The truck has 33,000 miles and still has facory warrenty.
Any ideas what may be wrong? Or is this normal?
Thanks for your help,
Rod
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 18
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Differential Problem?
could be - i am no mechanic. when i bought the truck, the rear diff was leaking just a little tiny bit, so i had the dealer put a new seal on it. it stopped the leak. maybe they didn't put the correct fluid in?
rod
rod
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
Likes: 6
From: Topsfield, MA
Differential Problem?
Are you sure it's not axle wrap?
Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds
.
Thats it for now, saving for a stang. Check out my Gallery for a look-see.
Justin - One Happy FTE Member
Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds
.Thats it for now, saving for a stang. Check out my Gallery for a look-see.
Justin - One Happy FTE Member
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 139
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From: Tucson USA
Differential Problem?
Sounds like posi chatter, a bottle of posi additive, Ford part number m-19546-a should take care of it in a few miles. Like you said it's possible those guys did not put any in.
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 18
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Differential Problem?
I've owned trucks all my life, but I am not very mechanically inclined.
What is axle wrap?
Do you think I could add the posi additive myself?
Chatter is a good way to describe it - it doesnt really make any noise, but feels like a "chattering" sensation coming from the rear end that lasts only a second or so under the conditions i described above.
By the way, I also here a fairly loud "click" noise when the truck down#####fs from 3rd to 2nd - or maybe 2nd to 1st. Just a click, nothing else - think this is normal?
Thanks for the help
Rod
What is axle wrap?
Do you think I could add the posi additive myself?
Chatter is a good way to describe it - it doesnt really make any noise, but feels like a "chattering" sensation coming from the rear end that lasts only a second or so under the conditions i described above.
By the way, I also here a fairly loud "click" noise when the truck down#####fs from 3rd to 2nd - or maybe 2nd to 1st. Just a click, nothing else - think this is normal?
Thanks for the help
Rod
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
Likes: 6
From: Topsfield, MA
Differential Problem?
It sounds like the friction modifer needs to be added. You just unscrew the plug at the top and pour the 4oz in. You can get it at a ford dealer, or generic stuff from a store. Axle wrap is when you really torque down on the rear and the leaf springs twist. What happenes is when the rear end is torqued, it wants to rotate the entire axle in the direction of rotation. It also wants to turn the axle tubes, and when it does, it can bend the leaf springs like an "S" and make the whole rear of the truck shake and bounce violently.
Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds .
Thats it for now, saving for a stang. Check out my Gallery for a look-see.
Justin - One Happy FTE Member
Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds
.Thats it for now, saving for a stang. Check out my Gallery for a look-see.
Justin - One Happy FTE Member
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 74
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Differential Problem?
If there already IS posi additive in there (in the reccomended amount), will any harm be done by adding more? I'm going to take a guess and say no.
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Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: South Kitsap County, WA
Differential Problem?
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 26-Oct-02 AT 12:27 PM (EST)]If you just had the seal replaced and it's no longer leaking. The dealer may have topped the rear fluid off. If you need to add the friction modifier for the traction-loc rear you may have to suck the 4 oz. out to put in the stuff. Try a turkey baster with a length of poly tubing glued to the end. Don't forget to get a small drip pan and park it on a level surface.
It shouldn't screw up your rear if you add an additional amount if the dealer already did it. If they did, it will beg the question "what is really wrong here?" Could be axle wrap, may be a slight tire slippage (like burning out).
-Kerry
It shouldn't screw up your rear if you add an additional amount if the dealer already did it. If they did, it will beg the question "what is really wrong here?" Could be axle wrap, may be a slight tire slippage (like burning out).
-Kerry
