Additives To Quieten Rear End Whine

[MikeTEC]

Anyone have any luck using an additive to help quieten the third generation's rear end whine to some degree? If so, which did you use?

Any particular type of replacement fluids helpful? Thanks in advance.

 

[leftlane36]

I changed the dif fluid over to Lucas products and have not had any dif noise since. That was my experience in this department.

 

[MikeTEC]

Leftlane: Do you remember if you changed the fluid to Lucas 75/145 fluid and a Lucas limited slip additive, if not I would appreciate knowing which Lucas fluids you used. I appreciate the help. Thanks in advance.

Mike

 

[MikeTEC]

Any more recommendations?

 

[03explorerL]

I changed the dif fluid over to Lucas products and have not had any dif noise since. That was my experience in this department.

I'm curious what you used as well. We have the hum/whine and I would like to quiet it.

 

[JoshMcMadMac]

Standard oil change with the Ford friction modifier should take care of it.

 

[05explorer1974]

I would change the diff fluid to XY-75w140-QL synthetic and add XL-3 friction modifier. Check the tag on the diff if it says 80w90 get a new tag F3TZ-4121-AA, I think that is the number which says 75w140 on it. Originally from the factory they came with 80w90 non synthetic fluid. When they came out with the rear end kits, it came with a new tag that said use 75w140 synthetic fluid and throw the old one out. I am not sure if you can add frition modifier to a non synthetic fluid.

 

[pet575]

I just did this two weeks ago. Went to the Lucas 75w140. Didn't make a bit of difference on the whine.

 

[turborich]

Nothing is really going to get rid of the whine once you have it.

A friction modifier will help and is required if you have a Limited slip differential. The modifier will help to eliminate the chattering but not so much the whine.

If you have a conventional differential and you are experiencing whine about the best you're going to do is 75-140 synthetic along with the friction modifier. It will help to quiet the whine but not totally get rid of it. It's a mechanical condition plain & simple.

Best thing to do either way is to pump in new fluid, use a friction modifier & drive the vehicle.

 

[Fastest Caskets]

I DO NOT reccomend this, but I know an old buck in his 80's who swears by stuffing an entire banana or two in the diff, bolting on the cover and re-filling it.
It's funny some of the guys and I were just talking about this, usually by the time it gets that whine loud enough to notice, the damage is done. As long as it's not extensive enough to effeci performance, I would just drive it.

 

[joachimf]

@MikeTech,

I had a wine at the rear on our ’02. But it turned out it was a running out wheel bearing, not something in the 3rd member. As far as you cannot rule out a wheel bearing it makes no sense changing the fluid.

And if a differential is becoming loud, say developing a whine while accelerating there won’t be any fluid or additive to repair gear surfaces.

So if I was you I’d find out whether the wine is coming from a wheel bearing or from the diff itself.


http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=334104

 

[MikeTEC]

Funny you mention about stuffing bananas in the differential to quieten it down.

I had an old uncle, who passed away many years ago, who was a used car salesman all his life. I remember him talking about the same "banana additive" trick.

Of course, we are talking about cars/trucks manufactured during the forties and fifties, after WWII and the Korean war. Seems they had the same problems with rear end whine back then, even on Caddies and Lincolns.

Nowadays, will all of our technology advancements, the problems still exists.

I have just put on new Michelins, thinking the worn tires that came on the car might be the problem.

However, the patient is still sick and still has the whine.

So my next step is replacing rear wheel bearings. If that does not stop it, guess I will move forward to the differential for major surgery. Thanks, everyone!

 

[03explorerL]

The noise has been on ours since around 40,x.. miles or so. Just never did anything about it. I do remember though that Ford bumped up the viscosity of the rear end oil to a thicker oil to quiet it down. Anybody remember what the viscosity was? I think something like 90w-150 or something...

 

[MikeTEC]

Did Ford have this problem worked out by the 2005 model year?

 

[swshawaii]

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=157872

 

[05explorer1974]

Yes and no they still had some problems but not nearly as many as 02-04. 04 was less but the TSB didn't come out till 04 or 05. I have not had any issues with my 05.