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Rear End Failure

hbalek

hbalek

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#21
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#21
enphor said:
I'm wondering if this is some kind of alignment issue (or rather misalignment) of the drive shaft , diff mounts, etc, basically everything connected to the diff. Unless you won the worst lottery and got two terribly defective rear diffs I'm at a loss. Where the bearings screwed at all, which could/would cause such issues.

Misalignment of the driveshaft to the diff would cause vibrations, noise, premature failure, wear, etc
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I specifically asked my service department to check my driveshaft after 2 failed PTU's and RDU's. They found nothing with that but said the RDU had the wrong gear ratio. Mine is driving great now after a 4-wheel alignment and proper gear ratio differential.
 

M

musclecarman39

Member
#22
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Location
Missouri
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21 Explorer ST
#22
hbalek said:
My rear differential and transfer case/ptu were replaced back in early June at about 50,000 miles. The transfer case failed again just 3 months later. I think the differential is bad again too.
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Just had my rear diff replaced again for a howling noise at 45 mph. My 21 has 35,000 miles on it. Only had 700 miles on the 1st rear diff replacement. Picked it up from the dealership, had a very bad vibration, jerking and "bucking". Took it back and now the transfer case is being replaced...wth
 

C

cheetoduster

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#23
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17
Location
Dallas, TX
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2023 Explorer ST
#23
hbalek said:
I specifically asked my service department to check my driveshaft after 2 failed PTU's and RDU's. They found nothing with that but said the RDU had the wrong gear ratio. Mine is driving great now after a 4-wheel alignment and proper gear ratio differential.
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They put a diff from a 2.3L Explorer in your ST because they didn't know the difference. Probably a good thing the two have different gear ratios, if they were the same the service dept probably would have sent you on your way with the smaller diff.
 

enphor

enphor

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#24
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Location
Charlotte
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2024 Explorer ST
#24
musclecarman39 said:
Just had my rear diff replaced again for a howling noise at 45 mph. My 21 has 35,000 miles on it. Only had 700 miles on the 1st rear diff replacement. Picked it up from the dealership, had a very bad vibration, jerking and "bucking". Took it back and now the transfer case is being replaced...wth
Click to expand...
Maybe another case of them installing a diff type with the wrong "ratio". I can see that messing up the PTU, things not spinning at the right speeds when the vehicle mechanical and electrical systems expect them to be pushing things to the point of failure.

Mental note , if I ever need a new rear diff, give them the exact part number for the ST!
 

M

musclecarman39

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#25
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Location
Missouri
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21 Explorer ST
#25
enphor said:
Maybe another case of them installing a diff type with the wrong "ratio". I can see that messing up the PTU, things not spinning at the right speeds when the vehicle mechanical and electrical systems expect them to be pushing things to the point of failure.

Mental note , if I ever need a new rear diff, give them the exact part number for the ST!
Click to expand...
That's what I was thinking too. I'm definitely going to have them check to make sure it's the correct rear diff.
 

jwuonog

jwuonog

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#26
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Jessup, MD, USA
#26
hbalek said:
I specifically asked my service department to check my driveshaft after 2 failed PTU's and RDU's. They found nothing with that but said the RDU had the wrong gear ratio. Mine is driving great now after a 4-wheel alignment and proper gear ratio differential.
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Glad to hear you're back up and running. What dealership did you go to? Do you have any mods?
 

hbalek

hbalek

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#27
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#27
jwuonog said:
Glad to hear you're back up and running. What dealership did you go to? Do you have any mods?
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I have no mods at all and I went to Sheehy Ford in Gaithersburg, where I bought it 5 years ago.
 

msokes9

msokes9

New Member
#28
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Boston, MA
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2023 Ford Explorer ST
#28
So after my screen issue I finally had resolved back in July, it’s back at Ford right now and informed that I need 2 rear axles replaced. I noticed for a while that there was a noticeable clicking noise coming from the rear end when I was braking and accelerating from a stop. I was putting it off for a while because of my work schedule but finally took it in yesterday to get it looked at. I have 11k miles on it at the moment.
 

enphor

enphor

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#29
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Charlotte
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2024 Explorer ST
#29
All these rear diff stories, ugh.

I recently installed amsoil 75W-110 gear lube and Steeda Brace. I have the Steeda Bushings, Whoosh bolt, and JXB Bushing insert sitting on my bench ready to go when I have time. I'm hoping by securing up the rear diff will avoid future problems. It may be wishful thinking, only time will tell.
 

C

cheetoduster

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#30
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Location
Dallas, TX
Vehicle
2023 Explorer ST
#30
msokes9 said:
So after my screen issue I finally had resolved back in July, it’s back at Ford right now and informed that I need 2 rear axles replaced. I noticed for a while that there was a noticeable clicking noise coming from the rear end when I was braking and accelerating from a stop. I was putting it off for a while because of my work schedule but finally took it in yesterday to get it looked at. I have 11k miles on it at the moment.
Click to expand...
That sounds more like the widely reported issue of axle hub noise caused by the axle splines. My '23 has started making that noise any time theres an accel/decel at low speeds or put the transmission in reverse. It's the same "ting" or "ping" noise you hear in the video.

 

Last edited:
jwuonog

jwuonog

Member
#31
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Jessup, MD, USA
#31
cheetoduster said:
That sounds more like the widely reported issue of axle hub noise caused by the axle splines. My '23 has started making that noise any time theres an accel/decel at low speeds or put the transmission in reverse. It's the same "ting" or "ping" noise you hear in the video.

Click to expand...
Yup. I have this sound on mine too. I will get around to addressing it one day...
 

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