Notices
Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator 1991-1994, 1995-2001, 2002-2005, 2006-2010 Ford Explorer

rear end problems

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 6, 2009 | 03:33 PM
  #1  
muddingmcdude's Avatar
muddingmcdude
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 352
Likes: 0
From: dryden,michigan
rear end problems

i just bought a 03 ford explorer fully loaded v6 tho .. i have this low pitch deep growl at 60 its not that noticible unless everything is off and if you let off the gas it goes away i also get a pinion sound noise at all speeds if i let off it goes away?? are these trucks common rear end problems? it has 126,000 miles if any one has any advise let me know thanks it all the wheel bearings seem to be good i just put a new on on before i bought it a rear one the other 1 seems to be good
 
Reply
Old May 6, 2009 | 06:46 PM
  #2  
rrgone's Avatar
rrgone
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 288
Likes: 1
From: SW Florida
Unfortunately that is all too common on the Gen 3 Explorer rear ends. Do a google search for 'explorer rear end whine' and you'll see what I mean. I believe this was the last Ford TSB issued on the subject:
http://www.fcsdchemicalsandlubricant.../tsb/05126.pdf

I don't know if it will help for sure but I have my '02 on a 30k service interval for the rear end and the tranny. So far so good...
 
Reply
Old May 6, 2009 | 09:45 PM
  #3  
steve(ill)'s Avatar
steve(ill)
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,931
Likes: 180
i had the noise at 60 MPH. goes away with foot off the throttle. i changed out the rear axle oil to full synthetic 75 w 140 and put a 7 oz bottle of friction modifier in it. That seems to help about 80% noise reduction. It is gear whine and only at 60 MPH. If you change the oil viscosity or charactoristics, the oil clings to the gears better and can change the noise volumn.
 
Reply
Old May 7, 2009 | 03:04 PM
  #4  
whimsey's Avatar
whimsey
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 303
Likes: 0
From: "Garden State"
My wife's 2005 4.6 Explorer is at the dealer for the diff whine repair as I write. She has 65,000+ original miles on it, bought new in July 2005, built in Oct 2004. She changed the original diff fluid at Ford at about 50,000 miles. No noise at that point. Just started hearing the whine about 4 weeks ago. Luckily she has the Ford ESP plan that covers this. It will cost her the $100 deductible. Otherwise the charge @ the dealer is approximately $1,500.00+/- to repair the rear diff.

Whimsey
 
Reply
Old May 7, 2009 | 04:48 PM
  #5  
85e150's Avatar
85e150
Super Moderator
20 Year Member
Community Builder
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,503
Likes: 2,820
Club FTE Gold Member
Ford used a 4th world bearing supplier.....My '98 whined at 60k. Covered by the ESP. I sure miss that warranty...
 
Reply
Old May 14, 2009 | 10:53 PM
  #6  
whimsey's Avatar
whimsey
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 303
Likes: 0
From: "Garden State"
Wife recently had the rear diff "repaired" in her 2005 4.6 EB Explorer according to TBS 05-12-6. The noise went from a slight whine to a loud howl at 60 mph after the "repair". Dealer said lots of problems with these diffs. No problem, Ford will replace with whole new diff. WRONG! Ford said rebuild it again, after 50 miles. She now has the original whine, only louder, again that she brought it for repair in the first place. Ford says this is an "acceptable" noise from their diff's I guess this is the same as Ford stopping replacing engines with engine slap and saying it's "normal" .

Ford needs to at least retain their existing customer base to survive. But by pi**ing them off that wouldn't work . These are tough times and providing customer service to fix YOUR problems is what is needed to retain customers.

Whimsey
 
Reply
Old May 14, 2009 | 11:24 PM
  #7  
85e150's Avatar
85e150
Super Moderator
20 Year Member
Community Builder
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,503
Likes: 2,820
Club FTE Gold Member
When mine was fixed, it was bearings, and it has been ok since--not that many miles, maybe 30K, but fine and no noise. Ford has much to lose not fixing these and making customers mad.
 
Reply
Old May 16, 2009 | 09:30 PM
  #8  
steve(ill)'s Avatar
steve(ill)
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,931
Likes: 180
does it make the noise at 60 MPH when you back off the throttle? if so, its not the bearing, its gear mesh. they might have adjusted the gear pattern different and increased the noise. if it always noisy, then you have a bearing problem. mine only had a problme under power at 60-65 MPH. no noise a 50 or 75 MPH.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old May 16, 2009 | 10:15 PM
  #9  
backwoodsgoop's Avatar
backwoodsgoop
Junior User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
its a Shame Henry Ford is rolling over in his grave
how could it be that a differentail fails so soon no wonder they need govt bail outs they are putting vehicles together now days to only last a short while so you have to get a new one every ten years or so I like the old stuff no bells or whistles just good ol rigs .
 
Reply
Old May 17, 2009 | 09:32 AM
  #10  
steve(ill)'s Avatar
steve(ill)
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,931
Likes: 180
Ford has accepted no govt bail out.
New truck generally last longer than older trucks. some now go 300k miles.
Old trucks rotted out in about 7 years. New trucks show very little rust in 10 years.
Its the expectation that has changed. People now expect no upkeep cost in the first
100k miles
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
DonVito
6.4L Power Stroke Diesel
27
Jan 27, 2018 06:10 AM
00_6Speed
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
1
Oct 7, 2014 08:11 PM
Superduty ROCKS
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
5
Feb 27, 2014 02:38 PM
muddingmcdude
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
17
May 10, 2010 04:10 PM
006f350diesel
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
0
Aug 26, 2006 04:08 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:25 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE