Rear axle/differential whine TSB

The reason you don't see any TSB's on ALLDATA is there have been none issued on this topic. The #17736 you refer to is a special service message, and it concerns rear axle noise in 2002-04 Explorer 4dr and 2003-04 Aviators with 3.73 axle. It instructs the dealer to evaluate the intensity of the whine and replace the entire rear axle assembly if the noise level is unacceptable. Effective date of this message is 4/23/04.

The downside of looking for TSBs is that these are a small part of the information available...... SSMs (special service messages), broadcast messages and FSAs (field service actions) are often missed by TSB geared lists.

Additionally, if you purchased your car from the vendor with the lowest price, you will very likely receive inferior service. This will drive you to another dealer who WILL offer inferior service because you didn't purchase your car from him/her.

There is an SSM that covers the rear axle whine... part of the procedure is a revised fluid level spec which will have KwikeeLoob draining about $20 worth of synthetic gear oil into a bucket and saying they "fixed" a "problem"

Add the '02 Mountaineer to the list. My Mountaineer (35K miles) had the whining noise coming from the rear axle. The Mercury dealer fixed it by replacing the "2 pitted rear axle bearings" ($680 job covered under factory warranty). The new parts are good for another 12Mths/12K miles ... Now my SUV runs smooth&quiet. HV-ClearLake,TX

on> this topic. The #17736 you refer to is a special service message, and it

3.73> axle. It instructs the dealer to evaluate the intensity of the whine and

This is a bunk statement. Dealers LOVE warranty work. Ford pays them based on how long the job should take according to them. 90% of the time, the dealership can perform the job in much less time and they make even more money.

For example, if Ford decides a specific repair should take 2 hours to perform, the dealership is reimbursed the hourly rate of 2 hours. If the dealership was able to perform the repair in 1 hour, they still get paid for 2. It's been this way for years - and not just with Ford.

I should clarify that dealerships love warranty work that falls under the 3/36 factory warranty. Extended warranty work is the burdon of the dealership that sold it to you.

Also add my 04 Explorer with 8K miles. The whine showed up at 4K and accorning to my dealer usually apperas at 4 to

6 K.

They have a new rear axle on order for me and say they have replaced about

12 so far. The dealer says Ford has never told them what the cause of the problem is.

This vehicle was built in Jan of 04.

issued on> this topic. The #17736 you refer to is a special service message, and it

with 3.73> axle. It instructs the dealer to evaluate the intensity of the whine and

unacceptable.

Just dropped off my Explorer at the dealership and they called to say that they are replacing the rear axle because that is what Ford instructed them to do. Hopefully I will get an explanation when I pick it up.

No - regular rear end.

I have an '04 Eddie Bauer w/3.73 Limited Slip rear end. Purchased it last April. It now has 5300 miles. Last week I started to notice a slight rear end whine. Took it into the dealer today-took a tech for a drive-he heard the sound. They immediately orderd a complete rear axle. I'll report back after it's installed and I put another 5 or

10 k on it.

At least I'm getting GOOD service!!!!!

Mine too developed that problem. Brand new 2004 Ford Explorer XLT limited slip axel that came with the class III tow package. Developed whine at

4800 miles. Dealer is replacing the differential and said to come back when the parts arrive. It sounds like slack or wear in the rear end. Sound pitch starts low at 35 and gets higher pitch until it blends in with freeway noises and normal tire noise at 75MPH. When you take the acceleration off and almost coast, the whine sounds louder, especially mid speeds between 40 and 55. I am not happy with the car because of this. Sounds like Ford knows about this problem and is hiding it. The immediate replacement under warrenty probably wont fix it for very long. Is there a permanent fix? snipped-for-privacy@yahoo.com