Has anyone installed the kit suggested for this TSB? If so, what price range did you see? Also, is it too painful for the shadetree method?
What what I can tell from the TSB, it does not suggest a problem, just a way to fix the whining sound in the rear end of quite a few vehicles.

 

What vehicles does this apply to?

 

This TSB applies to all of the following (I've got a '98 F-150):
Ford 1997-2005 Expedition, F-150, 2002-2005 Explorer
Lincoln 1998-2005 Navigator, 2003-2005 Aviator
Mercury 2002-2005 Mountaineer

 

I've done quite a few. You'll need a few special tools to set a ring and pinion up properly. This really isn't a job for someone who's "always wanted to do one," since best case if it's not done right, you'll get some gear whine, and worst case, the bearings and/or gears will heat up and weld themselves together, ruining your day in a hurry.

 

Is this TSB a fix to a real problem, or is it just to get rid of the noise? I did drain the lube from the rear end and saw no signs of bad wear at all.

 

It's supposed to be a fix. I say "supposed to be" because there's a lot of junk new gearsets floating around out there that Ford swears up and down are normal. I've gone through two or three gearsets on a few vehicles before I finally got one that stayed quiet, and to get it to stay quiet, I had to use a few tricks during setup that Ford doesn't mention (or really endorse).

 

I'm getting the truck ready to sell. If the fix is just to get rid of noise (and from the sound of it it doesn't necessarily work that great), do you think I'd be better off just sealing her up, putting in some new lube and calling it good? I don't want to spend $1500 for something that doesn't necessarily accomplish anything. I definitely wouldn't make that money back on the sell.

 

so what does this tsb say and what kit do i need and where can i get one?? is this something the dealer covers or am i on my own...my 03 is doing this and i had all new bearings and seals put in the rear end and it is still doing the whineing noise....what causes this??

 

*Bump*

I also have a noisy rear on my newly purchased 04. My 98 and 03 F150's where very sound so I know it's not normal. Will Ford fix this on a truck with an expired factory warranty? If so, what's the TSB number/or web link for more info. If not, what's the kit number and how much to have it installed?

My whine comes in at around 40mph and starts fading out at around 45. Letting off the gas at the speed it's whining (actually sounds more like a loud humming like dump truck tires rolling on concrete surface) the sound goes away and as soon as you apply throttle it comes back.