I went looking at a 2003 Lightning this week and was seriously considering buying it, but I had one question. When I test drove it, I heard a weird noise. From a dead stop when I shifted into either park or reverse and left off the brake I heard a grinding noise from the rear. I asked the salesman and he said that it was normal and just the torque differential. Is this true? I never head that before so I'm not sure. I took another Lightning for a test drive and heard the same noise, so I'm thinking he was right. If someone could answer me quickly I would really appreciate because I am still thinking about buying it before it's gone. Thanks for any help.

-Marc

 

hmmm just a thought but sometimes after extended sitting the rotors take awhile to clean off the rust and can sound like that.

 

what's a torque differential?

I guess it depends on what your definition of "grinding noise" is.

but I agree, it's probably just rusty rotors. rotors are bare metal and will develop surface rust overnight or even in a few minutes in some cases if they get wet.

imagine the amount of rust on the rotors after the vehicle has been sitting on the lot for over a year!


did the noise go away or change after you drove for a while.

I still don't know what a "torque differential" is though.

later,
chris

 

Yes it's normal, mine does the same thing.

 

Torque differential....yup, that sounds like a typical Ford salesman. It sounds like the brakes...It's normal...They sound nothing like a regular F-150.

 

I think it’s just a matter of sitting. I don’t usually drive mine much during the week so when I take it out on the weekend I get that noise when I first put it into gear and barely let off the brake. Many times my rotors are nice and shinny so no rust on them. I believe it is just the brakes themselves and thus nothing to worry about.

I think as Superfords stated it depends on your definition of “grinding noise” I would call mine a somewhat load moan, kind of like “get me out of the garage and open me up”

 

Thanks for the replies guys. I wasn't sure what a torque differential was either, thats why I thought I asked here. The brakes did look kind of rusty now that I remember, so it's very possible that it was just the brakes. The grinding noise was low and went away as I drove it. This truck seems like a great deal. Its a DSG 2003 with only 995 miles. They want $28,000 for it, which I don't think is too bad. Now that I have an idea what the noise was I'm gonna have to seriously consider it. Thanks again.

-Marc

 

Mine did the same thing after the rain storm the other night... definitaly brakes....