So ive got a 97 f150 with the 3.55 non LS rear-end. since i bought it it has had this humming sound coming from the rear-end. it only does it when im on the throttle, when i take my foot off it stops. is it just carrier bearings? also i can see that i will be needing a pinion seal because it is leaking quite bad. when i check the fluid level there is microscopic sized metal shavings on the fill plug. what do you think is the problem?
Im having the same problem... 1981 model rear end and seems to "humm" time to time throughout the day while im working. Any ideas guys?
Pinion seal is very easy , put one n my scab a few months ago .... As for the hummin , does it have enuff fluid? Your suppose to fill it til it runs out the plug hole
hey man i had a hum/squeal as well. was told to spray some penetrating oil where the drive shaft goes into the transfer case. took care of my problem. might even try greasing your U-joints. some have zerks fitting on them, check both of em. one in the front of the shaft and one in the rear. could even try jacking the rear of the truck up and spin the drive shaft and wheels (dont forget to put the truck in neutral and block the front tires lol) a hum could also be a brake problem or wheel bearing problem. kinda gotta narrow down where the noise is coming from.
it could be the bearings. The extra movement from worn bearing could also cause the seal to go bad. Th noise coming only form on throttle would be because the torque from engine loads on the rearend itll cause it to move creating the extra force on the worn bearings causing noise. Just my thought if the above suggestions dont work out
I had the same issue. I had extremely low Diff fluid. I filled it up but the noise only quieted some, it didnt totally stop...... so I replaced my gears.
Pulling the rear end out for a visual inspection of the carrier bearings, and or the pinion/ring gear wear would be the sure way to find out. My wife would say something like: "It's humming because it doesn't know the words?"
I was going to open up the rear diff this week, im a little worried that its gonna be worse than i expected. anyone know how much a whole new carrier would cost with bearings, and ring and pinion?
here is my best guess ........ you prolly have some bearings going down.... it also depends on how long you have been running it low to no fluid in it ........ i have seen it in like j wals case the gears where done and on the other end ordered all the parts to rebuild one and only needed to have bearings replaced ..... so the only real way to know is taking everything apart ..... i can throw theories out there all day but getting it looked at is the best bet .... aslo a little knowledge on how a diff needs to go together is needed because everything is measured in thousanths when it comes to doing all of it ... going either way in measurements can make it be even more noisy
