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'02 Explorer 3.73LS differential whine

The 3.73LS differential in my 2-wheel drive Explorer started whining at about 60 MPH before the original warranty expired, so I took it in for repair. The differential was rebuilt (ring and pinion, etc.) and the noise was gone. Unfortunately, the whine noise returned within 1000 miles. I got busy with other things and neglected to return the vehicle until 14 months passed. The 12/12 repair warranty had lapsed, so now I'm stuck with an $850.00 cost (25% discount for repeat failure). My question is, do any of you who might've experienced this problem know if the replacement parts are any better than the originals? In otherwords, is this problem likely to return again soon? And, if it does, am I out of luck after the 12/12 warranty lapses?

4.0L
Reply to
4.0L
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Sounds like the repair may not have been done correctly. If the gears are not set up properly they begin to chew themselves up right away.

If you are going to have the work done again, MAKE DAMN sure that the person doing the work is very experienced and good at setting up rear-end gears.

Reply to
351CJ

This is an inherent design problem with many Fords. I have a 2002 F-150 with the same thing. Took it to the dealer, under warranty, who inspected it and said everything was OK. But it still whines 30K later. My wife's 2004 Sport Trac has the same problem. This is one reason why Ford is loosing market share to Toyota and everyone else. They won't do what they need to do to put these kind of problems to bed. Ron

Reply to
R&B

I have had mine replaced 4 times.

Each time the whine returned quicker - the last time within 3 days and 150 miles of the repair. I have all the upgraded parts. The dealer is not allowed to rebuild mine again - and it is not only mine that is starting to have the problem reacurr withe the "new and upgraded parts " that were supposed to finally Fix it.

I have talked to Ford customer service - they are "aware of the problem" and told me to keep checking for a resolution with my dealer.

I checked back again on Friday - they said I should hear from Ford within a couple weeks.

Good Luck.

Reply to
Craig

I've had the clutch packs replaced twice in my 03. The dealer says that the

3.73 has had some problems. I had the 3.73 LS in my 92 and it was fine. My symptom is a grinding noise from the differential when going around a corner right after startup.

Dick O'Keefe

Reply to
Richard O'Keefe

Have you actually driven a Toyota lately? I test drove four new Tundras. All four made piston slap like noises when started for the first time and two of the four howled like heck from the rear. I was not sure wheter it was tires or rear axle, but it was louder than any Ford I have been around since my Father stopped using Unico mud grips on his pick-ups. Toyota inflicts some real crap on the world, yet everyone seems to set them up as some sort of world class standard. Oh what a feeling. Moving forward. Why is that Toyota is not loosing market share becasue of - defective ball joints, engine sludge, obsolete engine designs that require routine valve adjustment, Prius software glitches, Corolla suspension collaspes, smelly catalytic convertors, etc., etc., etc.......

Ford has issued new rear axle parts for the whining rear axles (see TSB

05-12-6). Supposedly this is the final for all time fix. I guess I have been lucky, I have never had the problem (multiple Ford trucks and SUVs with 3.73:1 rear axles over the last 10 years). One co-worker had the whine problem big time with an F150 Supercrew. He moved on to a Honda Pilot and is happier now. However, he never gave the dealer a chance to fix the problem with the new parts- he just bitched and moaned about it (or should I say whined).

Ed

Reply to
C. E. White

Let's see the question was, "Why won't Ford do what they need to do to put these kinds of problems to bed." This is not a one year problem, but an ongoing problem, and I have two vehicles to prove it. They have known about this problem for a long time, but would rather band-aid it than study what the problem really is. You have to look at the data, not personal opinions, about Toyota's quality. I'll bet you won't find a new one with a whining rear end. Both of my vehicles have 4-wheel drive, and 3:73 gears. They both whine. Ron

Reply to
R&B

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