Notices
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel  

Rattle, mid-truck

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 16, 2018 | 05:38 PM
  #1  
Pyroneer's Avatar
Pyroneer
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 235
Likes: 18
From: South Texas
Rattle, mid-truck

97 F-Superduty started to have a rattle out of nowhere. Rattle doesn't start until I've passed about 40MPH, and it will continue until I have stopped. It is speed related, not RPM. Sound is consistent in neutral, with brakes applied, and parking brake pressed. Rear diff fluid is full and clean. My next assumption was the driveshaft carrier bearing. Any thoughts?

ZF5, 4x2 dually, Cab and Chassis frame
 
Reply
Old Dec 16, 2018 | 06:15 PM
  #2  
farmert's Avatar
farmert
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 5,105
Likes: 1,523
From: western SD
Another possibility is the U-joints starting to go bad. Park the truck on a level surface and chock the wheels. Place the tr4anny in neutral, and get under the truck and try to wiggle the drive shaft, and inspect the u-joints for signs of rust coming out of the cups.
 
Reply
Old Dec 16, 2018 | 08:11 PM
  #3  
Pyroneer's Avatar
Pyroneer
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 235
Likes: 18
From: South Texas
Tried it on the front and back halves, solid as a rock. U-joints don't show signs of rust, and they are sealed, so no grease points.
 
Reply
Old Dec 17, 2018 | 09:39 AM
  #4  
knottyrope's Avatar
knottyrope
Lead Driver
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Shutterbug
Loved
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,205
Likes: 1,340
From: Bahstun
last ujoint that failed on me felt tight and wasn't until I took the drive shaft off to feel it binding in motion
 
Reply
Old Dec 17, 2018 | 12:03 PM
  #5  
fordman67's Avatar
fordman67
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 14,376
Likes: 605
From: evansville in
The bearing that's inside the external parking brake has failed you I believe.
 
Reply
Old Dec 17, 2018 | 01:27 PM
  #6  
Pyroneer's Avatar
Pyroneer
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 235
Likes: 18
From: South Texas
Talking about the drive-line drum brake?
 
Reply
Old Dec 17, 2018 | 06:25 PM
  #7  
fordman67's Avatar
fordman67
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 14,376
Likes: 605
From: evansville in
Originally Posted by Pyroneer
Talking about the drive-line drum brake?
Yes. There is a bearing in there. I have seen them fail
 
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2018 | 04:02 PM
  #8  
Pyroneer's Avatar
Pyroneer
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 235
Likes: 18
From: South Texas
Well the noise has died down to mostly nothing. How crucial is it to the drive-train? I've been daily driving it, but it's going on a 400 mile adventure next month.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-2

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

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

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

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

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-7

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Dec 21, 2018 | 07:47 PM
  #9  
fordman67's Avatar
fordman67
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 14,376
Likes: 605
From: evansville in
If it in fact is your issue it is very important. If it falls you will be walking...
 
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2018 | 10:03 PM
  #10  
AK gman's Avatar
AK gman
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
I would put a floor jack on the rear diff and get it up in the air to take the load off things. Then see if drive line moves or the pinion seal is leaking or any movement there or the carrier bearing and housing. Also look for any damp spots around the brake drum housing areas. Damp spots will be seals taken out from bearings gone out.
 
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2018 | 08:47 AM
  #11  
Pyroneer's Avatar
Pyroneer
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 235
Likes: 18
From: South Texas
Well heck. There is some type of fluid on the parking brake. Guess I will have to start pulling. Anyone know where I can get parts for it? Would it be the same as an F350 rear drum?
 
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2018 | 11:23 PM
  #12  
fordman67's Avatar
fordman67
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 14,376
Likes: 605
From: evansville in
Originally Posted by Pyroneer
Well heck. There is some type of fluid on the parking brake. Guess I will have to start pulling. Anyone know where I can get parts for it? Would it be the same as an F350 rear drum?
That brake is SD only. Pickups didn't have it because of parking brake at wheels.
I'm not sure if you will get parts aftermarket. I would disconnect driveshaft from it and spin and listen. I am not there to hear it in person like you are to gauge where it exactly is coming from
 
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2018 | 11:56 PM
  #13  
AK gman's Avatar
AK gman
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
Take a picture of the oily spot and post it. Its worth a thousand words. It could be a number of things. Does the oil smell like brake fluid or gear lube? Even oil on a drum brake back there can cause vibration once it heats up.[then seizes up] . yehaaaaa
 
Reply
Old Dec 27, 2018 | 12:58 PM
  #14  
Pyroneer's Avatar
Pyroneer
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 235
Likes: 18
From: South Texas
Just parked her, I will grab a picture tomorrow. The last bump I hit before the driveway shook the hell out of my front end, which is new. I picking up the Torx bit tomorrow to take the driveshaft off and play with stuff. It's a Torx 45, for the shaft, correct?
 
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2018 | 04:19 PM
  #15  
Pyroneer's Avatar
Pyroneer
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 235
Likes: 18
From: South Texas
Eureka! Found my little rattle problem.


That little ring is just flopping around. Guessing it had something to do with holding the pinion gasket in place, since it's starting to leak.
As for the parking brake, it's been dripping little by little since I got it. Fluid looks like DOT3 and smells likes gear oil.




How-to's and part numbers are welcome.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:44 PM.

story-0
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-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

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


VIEW MORE
story-6
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-7
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-8
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE