This is my first post and I feel bad for asking for help right off the bat, but Im kind of in a bind. I drive a 2004 F-150 4x2 Heritage (older body) with 73k miles. The truck has been running great until this morning when I got in and tried to back out of my driveway. I noticed a very loud grinding noise in the rear end and it sounded like the whole rear end was gonna drop out. I parked it for a min then drove it down the street for a bit and heard a " thump, thump , thump, thump" as I was in drive. Im not mechanically inclined what so ever ( motorcycles are a different story) but I got under to check the driveshaft and the u-joints seemed to be fine. They had a little play in them but nothing major from what I could see. I talked to my buddy and he said that Ford makes a certain grease that goes back there somewhere that might fix the problem. Was just wondering if anyone had this problem or could give me any advice so I dont get bent over at the shop. I know its hard diagnosing the problem without seeing it in person but I figured Id give it a shot. Also if anyone in the Jacksonville, FL area works on Ford and would like to do some moonlighting, I have cash. Or if someone could recommend a good honest mechanic in the area that would be cool too. Thanks for the help in advance.

Justin

 

First of all WELCOME TO FTE! 2nd most of us came here looking for help on our first visit. Now as for yoour question I'm thinking that you may have a problem with the parking brake. Take a hour and pull the rear wheels and then the rotors as the parking brake is inside the drum of the rotor.

 

Now that you mention it when I was going in reverse it kinda had that feeling as if the parking brake was stuck on. But would that explain the thumping sound in drive?

And thanks for the welcome man

 

Somewhere on here there was a TSB listed on how to service the e-brake hang-ups. Its almost as simple as taking the assembly apart and lubricating a few guides.