Hey.. I have a 2004 with what I THINK is a differential problem. I just got new tires put on and can now hear a whining noise coming from the rear. After bringing the car back into the tire shop, we put it up on the lift and spun the tires by hand. The tires are fine, as are the wheel bearings. However, the differential has a ticking sound. When I drive down the road, it sounds like a P51 Mustang plane is following.... increasing and decreasing with speed. Is the whole differential assembly bad?... the bushings? Should I get a loan ready in order to fix it? Any help is appreciated.

 

Did this sound just start?
Have you checked the fluid yet? Are your new tires quieter than the old ones?

 

Thanks for the quick reply.

This is the 1st time I heard the noise, but my guess is that it was there before I changed the tires too. I had a lot of edge wear and they were REALLY loud. It was loud enough to cover up this noise if it was there. The new tires sound much quieter and the ride is nice.

I'll try to check the fluid tonight...

 

Didn't have a chance to check the fluid, but I had a friend who's a Ford mechanic ride with me. We didn't hear any change in type of tone/sound when accelerating or braking, just an increase in the "speed" of the sound (think of a prop plane increasing and decreasing speed). He said he noticed a slight change when rocking the car right and left.... leaving him to believe it's the wheel bearings.

He said that if I can tolerate the sound, he wouldn't do anything. The reason being is that there is no loss of control when accelerating and there is no notice of any drive changes other than the sound. I'm just not sure I can deal with the sound... it will drive me crazy.

I've heard the parts are $140 each side plus 3.4 hours labor.

Any thoughts on the whole thing?

 

the wheel bearing will go before the diff. I agree with your friend. more then likely wheel bearings, but you can also change the diff fluid and see if it makes a difference. Its a easy diy and something you need to do anyways with a car that old.

 

"Ford mechanic said that if I can tolerate the sound, he wouldn't do anything. The reason being is that there is no loss of control when accelerating and there is no notice of any drive changes other than the sound".

Good guidline to run by. Glad I don't own a Ford anymore, ESP with "mechanics" like him.

Obviously it didnt come from the factory sounding like that so there is something wrong. I would pursue the sound and find the cause and fix it.



Quote failed me