My rear is whining...no not that REAR!

[ProPhotog]

The wifes diff is starting to whine at highway speeds. 2002 2WD 4.0L, automatic.
around town it's barely noticeable, but on the highway it really starts screaming! I haven't had the chance to check the fluid level but will this weekend.
Am I safe to assume it's a common issue with these? If so, what's the major complaint and possible avenues of repair or just replace?

 

[nascar_intimid]

the dealer has an upgrade part and an upgrade lube for the rear end....it cost my warranty 1500, but I'm sure you can get tit done for much less...you know how they gouge the warranty ..it is a Ford warranty

 

[just2L]

The wifes diff is starting to whine at highway speeds. 2002 2WD 4.0L, automatic.
around town it's barely noticeable, but on the highway it really starts screaming! I haven't had the chance to check the fluid level but will this weekend.
Am I safe to assume it's a common issue with these? If so, what's the major complaint and possible avenues of repair or just replace?

Mine was doing the same thing and it turned out to be the RR wheel bearings. May want to consider that option before having the rear end pulled apart.

 

[carlover]

When you take your foot off the gas does it go away when your on the freeway??? If it does then its time for a new set of gears.

 

[IZwack]

When you take your foot off the gas does it go away when your on the freeway??? If it does then its time for a new set of gears.

That is usually not the case -- a misaligned ring/pinion set can be fixed w/o changing the gears themselves.

 

[nascar_intimid]

That is usually not the case -- a misaligned ring/pinion set can be fixed w/o changing the gears themselves.

true but by that time there is usually so much damage that the diff needs rebuilding after running it in that shape

 

[IZwack]

true but by that time there is usually so much damage that the diff needs rebuilding after running it in that shape

Yes agreed -- the bearings, races, and other "soft" parts need to be replaced as a worn bearing is typically the initial cause for the problem. As long as the contact pattern is good after rebuild, the ring/pinion set should be good.

 

[Fordmandan87]

from experiance working at my dealership the bearings in the diff wore out and are now probably wearing the ring and pinion abnormally

 

[ProPhotog]

another thing for my wife to not be happy about with it then, that is, if we have to drop even more money into. Just a few weeks ago we had to replace the key cylinder, even though there is a TSB/Recall on it. Total cost was almost $400. They said if it did it again we'd have to replace the column.
Nice...now the rear end noise.
I thought about changing the fluid and adding some lucas to it to see if it would help but it sounds like bearings/pinion/gears now that I read the replies

 

[03fordbuddy]

I bought my 2003 explorer with 100,000 miles on it. I noticed the whine in the rear the day I got it. It is not as bad as some of the cases i have heard of ( i'v heard ppl say it is a higher pitch than there radio can drown out). Any way i asked my dad about it, he as been a certified tech since he was 20 and has his own shop that he ran for 25 year and just recently closed the doors due to him getting a sales job and his body is worn from turning wrenches his whole life. good news is he still has the shop both lifts and hasnt sold a tool or piece of machinery the place could literally open back up tomorrow and no equipment would need to be purchased. So im set when it comes to repair time and I have him to always help me out when i get stuck on somthing. anyway he told me that ford is pretty much notorious for the rear end whine (he's a chevy guy and cant belive his kid bought a ford). He told me that the gears were most likely not set perfectly and it will probaly run forever like that as long as the noise isnt getting worse. I only get the whine when at a constant speed between 30 and 42 mph and about 57 and 65 mph the whine isnt bad and if im traveling those speeds the radio will drown it out besides if im on the highway im usually doing 75 anyway and i hear nothing. I now have 130,000 on the truck and the whine has not got any worse and it hasnt bothered me enough to find a weekend to pull her apart. It sounds like your case may be a little worse but just wondering if any of you guys have one that is minor and havnt fixed it I suppose i'll get around to doing it one day but for now probaly not. Just replaced a left front hub, fuel filter, and gave her an oil change she's going on about a 1600 mile round trip in a couple days. What do you guys think though is this somthing i should get fixed asap or because it has about 30,000 miles and not getting worse should i just let her ride?

 

[Deadaxx]

I would also like to know - 3 weeks ago I puchased an 03 XLS from a dealer through Ebay and began to notice the whine about a week into having her. Due City driving I could only hear it at night when all was quiet (too bad you can't test drive cars at 1 am)
Anyhow, I am at the dealership right now as I type - I am waiting to see what the repair will cost. It was purchased as is, but it was claimed to be "running and driving great". I'm hoping the dealeship will be able to help me out. I had one shop quote me at about $900

Luckily enough Ebays BS Vehicle Protection Program doesn't cover differentials or bearings....such BULL

 

[bkl94gt]

Follow this post to see the bearings I took out of the diff in my 02 Limited.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=202090

To date, not only have all the bearings in the diff been replaced, but now both rear wheel bearings....86K on the clock.

 

[tower]

I had the wine for about 20k miles then the rear end came apart (big hole in rear diff) about $1,200 later I had a new rear diff in the truck. I am on my 3rd set of rear wheel bearings.

Like carlover said if the sound changes when you give it gas its the rear end, if the sound changes when you turn its the wheel bearing.