Hello all. I spent about an hour on the boards here doing research on rear end noise. Some of the symptoms sounds like what I got but not too sure. I have a 2003 F 150 with 80k on it. For the most part I have had no problems. At 36,500 I did have the rear end replaced under the extended warranty. Rear end failed on the road. Towed back to Ford and replaced. Other then doing brakes and normal maintenance I have had no problems.

This past week I can hear a high pitched squeal. It comes and goes. Today the whining or metal on metal whistling sound got much worse and now it is accompanied by a slight bang and then disappears . I stopped by an oil change facility just to get a look see from underneath and they found a leak from the the rear end differential case front seal at drive shaft. A 1/2 a quart of fluid was needed to fill it to the required level. The high pitch whining noise came back a mile after leaving.

Any help or info to diagnosis this problem or owners that had something similar and the problem fixed would be greatly appreciated.

It's an 03 with 4x4, 4.6 engine, Manual transmission. Not sure on axle ratio.

Thanks in advance

 

Sounds like you have a bearing failing in the rearend [pinion?]. I would not take any long drives until you have it repaired.

 

Thanks for getting back to me. I swung the truck by a local mechanic who took a test drive with me. Not doubting him, but he seems to think it's the U joint. I have a standard, when in neutral, I still hear the high pitch squeal when coasting in neutral. No changes at brake or sliding into gear. If the truck is in neutral the drive shaft would not spin. Eliminating U joint question...???...If the noise is still present and it's not the brakes could the problem point back to bearings, gears etc in the axle case?

Believe me, I would be happy if it is the u joint but if it's not I would rather save that money and put it towards the correct repair, man times are getting tough. Much cheaper and faster to have a mechanic do the u joint or myself in the drive way but the symptoms I am getting just don't fit for a bad u joint unless there is other symptoms that I am not aware of. I crawled underneath and checked the shaft, yoke for play. Nothing loose other then the small amount of give, maybe 3/8" or so that I thought was standard in U joints.

Any further insight into this would be great so that I can have a little better understanding of whats going on. My mechanic for years retired and moved on. The jobs that I couldn't do he would take care of. Man the local mechanics with all the certifications at a fair labor rate seem to be closing their doors or retire with no one else to take over. At least in my area.

Thanks in advance

 

... eat less beans!

sorry, couldn't resist that one...

to answer your later question... I'm pretty sure if the truck is moving the drive shaft will be spinning.

You said the noise comes and goes... does it relate to highway speed? or does it relate to engine speed? only happen when driving around corners? Only happen while truck is still cold, or only once truck gets warmed up? or is it just random?

Sometimes if you can figure out why it happens, it will lead to the solution.

Good luck

 

I like your sense of humor! I set myself up on that!

The high pitch sound will increase while moving. Not revving the engine. No change in neutral, still there while coasting. Around corners it sometimes kicks in and then goes away. Nothing really set. The problem seems to get worse during a cold day and night. Today it was 44 and the noise was little to none.

High pitch squeal, that comes and goes, followed by a slight clunk and then it goes away while in gear sums up the noise patterns.

 

There should be *NO* play in a U-joint! None whatsoever. Put it in neutral, set the parking brake, and crawl under with the rear wheels both on the ground. Try to twist the driveshaft, if it turns at ALL, you need rear and/or front U-joints.

If the rear wheels are turning, so is the driveshaft.

 

yup neutral just disconnects the engine from the driveshaft, much like pushing the clutch in disconnects engine from trans.

 

Thanks for that direction! I do have play in the driveshaft when in neutral. Quite a bit. I hope this is what it is. Trucks going in for service on Tuesday. Thanks again.