2003 F-150 rear end troubles

[dscowell]

One of my friends is having rear end trouble with her F-150 as the title says. It's a 2003 model and what is wrong is that when you accelerate when stopped the passengers side will shake slightly but enough that it is noticeable. But once driven for a couple minutes it goes away or atleast did when I was driving. She told me that it will also shake when slowing down and it will also make a low pitch grinding noise when speeding up and the noise also speeds up as the truck does. The axle seems to have a grease leak.

She brought it to a shop today and they told her that it could be a wheel bearing or a seal but are unsure of what. They also said the axle could have been over filled at the last time the diff fluid was changed and that could have cause one of the seals to wear out quickly.

I want to know if anyone has any experience or input in what it could be so that she doesn't have to resort to replacing the whole axle.

[Hypoid]

The axle seems to have a grease leak.If it is leaking gear oil out the end, it needs a new seal at the least. Since it is the same labor cost to get to the seal, replace the wheel bearing at the same time. If it leaked gear oil on the brake rotors and pads, replace those as well. Some people would try to clean them off, a good shop will replace them. The next "maybe" item would be a bent axle shaft.

The only way the truck will need a new axle is if she neglects the leak and runs it dry. A worst case scenario would be contaminated brake linings: the vehicle pulls to the "good" side under hard braking. In this case, if she stomped on the brakes at high speed, she could end up in the oncoming traffic lane.

In any case, Git-R-Done!

[Robert B]

okie dokie the shop is kinda iffy since it seems they didnt do much but maybe take the tire off ......after looking the truck up im assuming its a disc brake live rear end ......since i think a disc brake that would cause that issue would have pretty obvious marks and or very awkwardly worn pads then i would say the wheel bearing is toast which would also take the seal out most times.... .has anyone taken the axle shaft out yet ?? generally worst case in this is new wheel bearing new seal new axle shaft if bearing surface is damaged and new oil for diff to clean out any metal flakes from the bad bearing ...... and as mike said depending on where it leaked the pads are junk if wet with oil and the rotors are iffy ..... generally not too expensive to replace ... also check to see if the E brake pads got wet with oil and replace if needed .... possible side note could also be the E brakes causing the grinding has anyone checked those ?? and either way if it is grinding it needs to be fixed soon other wise the damage (if bad bearing) could scrap the whole housing

[Robert B]

also unless the newer live axles work differently a little over full wont affect the seals too much and when i overfilled my rear axle by accident it literally pumped all the excess oil out the breather tube so it leveled itself out ....so unless it was drastically overfilled (is possible) then i dont see that being an issue really

[Robert B]

-- redundant post by me >< --

[dscowell]

Thanks fellas! I was thinking around the same lines although getting oil on the brakes never crossed my mind.

[Jim]

Jack up & remove each rear wheel (one at a time should be fine) and rotate the axle. Does it seems free and smooth or rough? Any slop?

[carpenle]

Is it a limited slip rear end? If so I wonder if they put the additive in the oil?

[dscowell]

Jack up & remove each rear wheel (one at a time should be fine) and rotate the axle. Does it seems free and smooth or rough? Any slop?

Can't do this in the parking lot but I'll let her know she can do it at home.



Is it a limited slip rear end? If so I wonder if they put the additive in the oil?

Not sure can always check. That never crossed my mind so thank you.