Help--02 E.B Expy-Low speed Vibration/Grinding at takeoff

[JMExpy02]

Hello all,

I am trying to diagnose a problem that seems to be getting worse on my 2002 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4.6 V8. The problem is a vibration/grinding noise (really it's more of a "feel") at very low speeds such as when first taking off from a stop. It also gets worse if the vehicle is being turned while taking off. My gut instinct tells me it is something in the rear differential, but I would like to see if any others have had this problem. My Expy just turned over 68,000 miles on the odometer. Can anyone help???

Thanks in advance,
Jonathan

 

[rrgone]

Hi Jonathan, welcome aboard. You don't say whether or not you have ever serviced the rear differential. If not, that's what I would try first. There is a TSB that states to replace the 75W-90 gear oil with 75W-140 synthetic. If you have the limited slip rear end you should also add a friction modifier. If that doesn't help you may be looking at replacing the gear set and bearings in the rear end. Here's a link to the TSB: http://www.fcsdchemicalsandlubricants.com/supplier/tsb/05126.pdf

Good luck, let us know how it goes.

 

[JMExpy02]

rrgone, Thanks for the welcome & info. I had a rear differential fluid leak that was coming from the rear differential cover and was fixed by the dealer about 10,000 miles ago. I will replace the rear differential fluid with the 75W-140 & the friction modifier and see if that remedies my problem. If not looks like I will have to perform the TSB that you supplied the link for.

Thanks again for the help!