I have a 99 F 150 w/ electronic transfer case, auto trans., and 3.55 gears. This truck has had a gear noise in it since day one. The odd thing is that the truck is quieter in 4wd than 2wd. I know that it should be the opposite, but it's not. The front and rear differentials have been taken apart by the local Ford dealer. The bearings were changed in the rear and the side gears were changed in the front. The problem hasn't been corrected to this date. This noise is especially noticeable from approximately 25 mph on up. I've been in other Fords and not heard this noise. My question is this; does anyone else have or hear this noise in their trucks? If so, what was done to correct it?

[This message has been edited by WWBF150 (edited 05-08-99).]

 

I see that I must be the only one with this noise in their truck. There have been no responses to this post. I would like to add that the dealer now says that " this noise is a characteristic of the Ford drivetrain". I have sent this matter to arbitration, as the noise is not normal. The dealer has never looked at, been in, or talked to me about the truck. Yet he persists with these ridiculous statements. In the 25 years that I've owned 4WD vehicles this is the absolute worst drivetrain that I've ever had the sorry experience to own, or even listen to. What do you people think? Is arbitration the answer, or...?

[This message has been edited by WWBF150 (edited 05-14-99).]

 

WWBF150. I seem to have a simular problem. I notice a gear whine? at just about every speed. very noticable when crusing. I've got about 4500 miles on it but I haven't been to the dealer yet. I believe it's the rear end. mine is a manual case/tranny with 3.55 ls.

Henry

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99 F-150 XL 4x4. RC Flareside 4.6 5spd, 3.55LS. gibson 3" cat-back, K&N Gen ll.Westin step bars. The SILVER BULLET. Rock and Roll...Baby!!!

 

Henry, I've had this noise since day one. I now have approx. 6000 miles on this truck and it's not getting any better at all. It's definately a gear whine, that's for sure. I have an XLT S/C SB. You can hear this noise all over in the cab area. Mine has been back 7 times already and no fix yet. The best part is that a Ford rep called me yesterday and said " go ahead and arbitrate it". That's quite an attitude to have isn't it? He was supposed to call and try to resolve the problem. All he did is irritate me some more. I have to get a letter and/or a presentation ready for the arbitration board, as well as the same for a lemon law return. They can give the B.S. to someone else and let them put up with this noise. I've really had my fill of this nonsense. Tom.

[This message has been edited by WWBF150 (edited 05-15-99).]

 

WWBF150: your dealer must be related to the ford servicemen here, true jerks. Something you should read is the tread on Engines-Taking it back. GRB123 also went through arbitration and won but it took him a loooong time. Prehaps that is why your serviceman said to go ahead, he thinks you will give it up before making Ford pay. Hope you get something worked out. I'm sorry your truck is not quite right, most F150 are a pleasure to drive.

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97F150 XLT SC 4x4 Flairside 4.6 V8 5sp Dk Toreador Red,skid plates
leaky sliding rear window, Hard tonneau cover, p255/70rx16 tires
(it came with sm. tires) 40s Flowmaster, 3.55 LS, Pioneer CD w/4 Polk Speakers
bed liner, side window deflectors, reese hitch K&N air filter, superchip

 

Tina, thanks for your words of encouragement. I know that Ford builds better trucks than this. I had an '88 F150 that was quieter after 6 years, than this truck is new. I've been in quite a few 97, 98, and 99 F 150s. As much as I hate to say it, mine made the most noise. The best part is that mine cost the most money. I have no intention of giving up at all. I will litigate this if necessary. The whole bunch can tell it to a judge. Tom.

[This message has been edited by WWBF150 (edited 05-15-99).]

 

WWBF150,
Have no idea if this will help, but I have heard of folks having a whine in the drivetrain and the problem ended up being that the tranny(manual), transer case, or rearend was low on the fluid/grease. It could be that any of those items were not filled to specks when assembled at the factory or maybe some has leaked out. Ofcourse I also have known when these items have whined there was also a problem with one of the drivetrain components. Lets hope not. Just a thought and my two cents worth, which is more than it's worth. lol

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99 F150 XLT SC 4x4 4.6L
Deep Wedgewood Blue w/Dark Graphite int.

 

JPF1715, thanks for your input. I too, thought that the fluids were low. I had all the fluid levels checked 3 days after I took delivery of the truck. There is no doubt that there is a problem with the driveline. The only problem is that this "nice dealer" doesn't want to recognize it. The really sad part is that I have family members that work for Ford. They cannot believe the nonsense that is going on either. I'll keep on fighting until they get it right. Tom.

 

WWBF150-
I HATE TO HEAR what you're going through. I had a 96 Grand Cherokee Limited that was also a lemon. From 12800 miles to 22000 miles, I had it in the dealership more than 20 times and over 40 nights. Everything broke from drivetrain, climate control, steering wheel components, engine components, accessories and interior (leather).

Keep in mind that all states have different conditions to be met for the lemon law. Most should cover your situation with the number of times you've had it in the dealership. Don't be surprised if you have to hire a lawyer and spend about $5K but most lawyers can get it back for you.

NOTES: KEEP GOOD RECORDS. Make sure you have all of your paperwork for each time it's been in the shop. One thing that sucks is that they will not pay back the total cost of the vehicle. They minus a usage charge which is (vehicle mileage/100,000 x cost of vehicle). So I would note the mileage when you reached your qualification for a lemon and try to make the usage charge apply from that point. You should also get back taxes, doc fees and warranty costs. Generally you can get misc. expenses you've incurred throughout this ordeal such as travel, etc.

I sincerely hope you come out GOOD on this! Ask the dealer what do their two following mission statements really mean:

QUALITY IS JOB #1.
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION DRIVEN.

A lot of times, I don't see it.

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99 F-150 Lariat 4x4, 5.4, 3.73LS, upg. 4x4 pkg., 17" wheels, leather capt., CD Changer kit - pretty much all U can get from factory!

 

I just had both rear axles, crown, pinion, cones, bearings and another page of parts replaced. Went in concerned that the gears had developed a pattern and were starting that 'ol noise that is typical of worn out gears. Wasn't sure though because the tires make some road noise that is quite similar in nature. Dealer put it up on the hoist and decided that it all should be replaced. Thank God it's still got warranty left. All that at only 49,000 kms. Saw the old axles though. One side was actually rough where the bearing had spun. The same side also had fine splines just back of the bearing mark. Strange as this area should be machined smooth during manufacture. They figured it missed part of the manufacturing process and didn't get properly hardened. Anyway I'm concerned that although it's supposed to be able to tow 7500# it's eating axles and gears. It's definitely not a Cadillac quiet ride but then it's not a Cadillac, it's a Ford with everything new from the drive shaft back. Maybe it's in the front hub design?

 

Don and Big Truck 99, thanks for your concern and your replies. I've already made sure that I complied with Michigan's Lemon Law. I've also made Ford aware of it too. I agree on good documentation too. I spoke to the Dispute Settlement Board today. I told them that Ford had one of their factory reps call me last week. I also told the DSB that the rep was not willing to do anything more and told me to go ahead and arbitrate it. The DSB said that I'd be notified a week before the hearing. The dealer here likes to use the saying "it's a characteristic of that vehicle (insert name and component). When warranty runs out, they can magically fix the problem. I was told this by a previous customer of theirs who had it done to him. The service manager went for a ride with me on Friday. He admitted that he still hears the noise too. When I returned to the dealership after letting the SM listen to the truck, the new dealer wouldn't even speak to me about the truck at all. Of course, now that he has seen the truck up close for the first time, I'm sure he can really make a proper diagnosis of the problem without further investigation. There is only one word for this type of treatment, UNBELIEVEABLE.

[This message has been edited by WWBF150 (edited 05-19-99).]

 

I have a quick update on the noise problem that I am having with my F 150. The Service Manager called me yesterday and told me that he had some news on this problem. I was informed that there is now a Special Service Message # 12678 on this problem. There are a number of parts that need to be replaced in the front differential, gears etc. I also have the part numbers if anyone wants them. If this can fix the problem I was told that a TSB will be issued to correct this in any trucks with this problem. I guess that the dealer doesn't know his behind from first base when he said that this is a normal characteristic of the Ford drivetrain. Thanks again for all your help and encouragement. I'm still allowing the arbitration to go forward. Tom.

 

Well, I know what you are all going thru. My 97' has just turned 37,000 miles, i have the manual tranny/case, and boy does this dam thing make noise. I have dropped the driveline twice already and greased the slip yoke, and it still is noisy. It is really tough to say where it is coming from. It SEEMS to me that it is coming from the t-case, because with the yoke out, Spinning the tail-shaft by hand, it has a LOT of play in it. It almost sounds like the chain in the t-case is loose. Mine usually is the noisiest, when braking over bumpy road. I sur e hope that there is a new tsb out for this. Also to all the 97 owners, have your rear axle fluid checked!!!! A lot of them came from the factory low on fluid.

 

I have a whine in my '99 which is most noticeable between 50 and 55 mph. It doesn't go away when letting off the gas, but it DOES go away when the tranny is slipped into neutral.

Any thoughts?

Truck is a '99 SC, 5.4L, Auto, 4X4, 3.55 LS.

 

Dennis,the noise in my truck can be heard up as high as 55mph also. You can also hear it as you come to a stop, and anywhere in between too. The noise sounds like it's coming from the rear end, but in reality, it's from the front end. Does the noise in your truck stop after you switch into 4WD? The noise that I've got is from the front end turning to allow the shift-on-the-fly 4WD to work. There is no mistaking it either. If you've got it, you'll sure know it. Let me know if this helps. Tom.