I have a '04 F150 Lariat that we special ordered and took possession of Dec 21, 2003. We've just now turned 20k miles and really like the truck a lot. It is everything we expected - EXCEPT - -

We noticed a whine in the rear end - differential. Was loudest at about 40-50mph. When you take your foot off the gas it goes away - lightly feather the gas pedal you can make it sing.

I took it back to the dealer. He told me Ford had issued a service bulletin about the whine in some of the 150's. He said they could fix it up by replacing parts in the differential.

Sure do it. So they replaced bands and cones and most everything in the rear box and for about a thousand miles or so all was well - - - - now the whine is back - - loud as ever.

Went back to the dealer - he gave me a copy of the service bulletin and informed me that other F150's were having similar problems - in fact if you owned a 4x4 you were having vibrations as well as the whine. ((mine is 2x4)).

He did not want to re-do the repairs to the differential and hesitated to replace the entire rear end for fear that the whine would still be around.

According to the service bulletin Ford has an engineering group working to solve the problem....

I know that the whine is more annoying than actually mechanically malfunctioning ((in other words, the differntial isn't gonna fall apart on me)) - - but we paid a lot for the advertised quietest truck in town and - at this point, we're not happy.

Anyone else having this situation with their truck?
Thoughts, ideas are welcome....

don

 

Call Ford.
Dealers will tell you anything. When I first bought my truck (many years ago) the front end squeaked. I took it to the dealer and was told "front end squeaks were normal on Ford trucks"?????
I called Ford, they overnighted a new set of lower control arms and had them replaced at the dealer. It has never squeaked since.
Don't let the dealer stop you from the resolve you deserve.

 

This is a common problem on 01 to present trucks.....

I have yet to see ford announce a fix for it...I have it on my 02 screw....

Some ppl have had their drive shaft replaced only to have it come back...some their rearend replaced, etc.

I heard it was a design flaw in the housing itself.....not a harm.....

 

I had The Whine in the differential on my '01 Screw. Thankfully I met a very cooperative service advisor at a local dealer. They rebuilt my diff twice under warranty to try to eliminate The Whine, all to no avail. He then took it up with the regional rep and Ford engineering. They all finally agreed that there was probably a casting flaw in the rear axle housing such that the gears could never be set up properly. They installed an entire new assembly; housing, gears, bearings, everything. That was at 35,800 miles
There has been no whining (from me or the truck) ever since, and it just turned over 90,000.

I was never concerned that my diff would blow up on me, but I was concerned about wearing out prematurely, say at 60k, 80k, 120k, instead of lasting to 250k+ like they should.

Try requesting that they consider an entire new assembly due to potential casting flaws.



SM

 

Was at my Dealer for an oil change today. I asked about a fix yet to the rear end whine issue. They told me a fix was going to be announced on 03/22/05. He even showed me the notice on his PC. I hope this is a real fix. Will let you know.

 

Dealer says they have a fix for the rear end whine, parts have been ordered, will let you know how it goes.

 

Part of the whine problem is a design and user issue. My girl friend has a 97 F-150 that developed this problem. The problem is the size of the diff carrier bearings, way to small for the application, and not in the way you'd think.

My G/F has a bad habbit of cutting her right turns a little too tight, banging the sidewall of the R/R tire against curb. This energy is transfered dirrectly to the bearing on the L/Side of the diff, burnelling it. Now as the rollers roll through the series of dents in the inner and outer races of the bearings you have a whine. She has duplicated this fault several times now, the diff now has a zipper on it...

Ford chose to use a smaller bearing in this application for what reason?? GM and Chrysler use a much larger bearing in axles of simular or same constrution, in the light truck application. Larger bearng = larger surface area = handles more presure. This makes the bearing less likely to burnell when the R/R smacks the curb...

 

Truck went in today for a fix on the rear end whine. They mentioned a new parts kit was going to be used. Will let you know how it works. Also mentioned a squeaking belt to them. They are replacing for free also.

 

mine went in on Monday. they have the rebuild kit ordered. waiting for them to arrive so i can get it rebuilt.

 

Does anyone have the rebuild kit part number?

 

Let us know if it fixes it for the time being and if it returns later on. Thanks.

 

What exactly is the fix on the rear end whine?
I called three dealers and they did NOT have a clue what the fix on the rear end whine.
Please post the part number for the fix.

 

Got the truck back today, for the 15 mile ride home there was no rear end whine evident. They report on the invoice as having changed out

1- 5L3Z*4209*B Gear and pinion asy
3- XY*75W140*QL oil
1- TA*31*Sealant - Silicone
4205A4 Rear Axle Ring Gear and Pinion Set - Replace (4209)

I will be listening and let people know if it comes back. Hope this works for the long haul.

 

Thanks Smithy for your reply.
Keep us informed.

 

I had the same 4209E gear and pinion change out they even drop in a oil frictiion additive. This is the 4 th time I complain about this problem and it will the third time they try to fix it. My howl starts at 70 mph and goes away at 80 mph. It only happens when I accelerate. I still think it's a drive line harmonic. Which probably can't be fixed.