'02 F150 noisy rear end?

[Little Red]

I'm thinking about buying this truck. The ad in the paper says noisy rear end. Is that a common problem for this model and year? I don't have any more details yet. I have to go see the truck.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

8.8 or 9.75" rear diff?

Could be a case of needing new bearings, or the gearset could be hosed.

 

[Little Red]

Made a mistake. It's a '99 if that matters. Don't know any more about it. Will advise. I hope it's just a bearing.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

A bad bearing can hose the gearset too.

Keep in mind that there isn't much cheap about working on an axle, it may be cheaper to find another axle than to fix this one. They are not overly notorious for axle problems, considering what people put them thru they are pretty good.

99-03 would have disk brakes. 4.6's have the 8.8, 5.4's have the heavier 9.75 rear axle. If I was switching axles I would would look for a 9.75 reguardless...

 

[BeaterMan]

if you google f150 axle noise, you'll find that there is a tsb from ford about some axles getting bad bearings. Ford states that the whole axle assembly needs replaced, bearings, ring and pinion ect. I had the same problem with my 97. It got to the point where it sounded like a space shuttle going down the road and sounded like it had no oil but was full with fresh gear oil. I ended up buying a larger 9.75 from a 2002 with low miles. The tsb still states this new axle could have the same problems but untill that time comes, Ill be running this one. Good luck with what ever you do.

 

[Explorin94]

I have 137,XXX on my 02 and haven't had a problem yet. It has the 9.75. I tow with it all the time with anything from a trailer full of 3 wheelers to my Ranger.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

if you google f150 axle noise, you'll find that there is a tsb from ford about some axles getting bad bearings. Ford states that the whole axle assembly needs replaced, bearings, ring and pinion ect. I had the same problem with my 97. It got to the point where it sounded like a space shuttle going down the road and sounded like it had no oil but was full with fresh gear oil. I ended up buying a larger 9.75 from a 2002 with low miles. The tsb still states this new axle could have the same problems but untill that time comes, Ill be running this one. Good luck with what ever you do.

I have 80k on my '02 9.75, can't tell it is back there.

 

[BeaterMan]

I believe the tsb more applies to the 8.8 vs 9.75. The replacement one I got had about 95k and its as smooth as new. My old 8.8 that was in the truck sounded like tumbling rocks when I spun it by hand. I do a fair amount of towing and heavy loads in the bed myself and the larger axle adds some comfort.

 

[Little Red]

So it's safe to assume (don't like to do that) that the bigger axle is a bolt in swap? I done a few swaps before and I agree it's easier than a rebuild in the vehicle. Do they come with the same ratio's as the 8.8? It's a 4x4 truck.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

So it's safe to assume (don't like to do that) that the bigger axle is a bolt in swap? I done a few swaps before and I agree it's easier than a rebuild in the vehicle. Do they come with the same ratio's as the 8.8? It's a 4x4 truck.

Should be the same ratios... but if you want to change ratios you can drop out the front diff and switcheroo.

 

[Little Red]

Not a snowballs chance in that happening. I'm not the fanatical wrench turner I was when I was younger.The junkyard should know if the same ratio's are available. Thanks All

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Just sayin, Ford gets stupid with their ratios sometime. You are halfway there.

Aside from keeping skateboard tires on their trucks I can't think of a single reason to put 3.31's in a truck... which is what mine is graced with. Smaller engines came with even higher ratios.

 

[Little Red]

I'm gonna stop after work tomorrow and see what sup.I hope it don't have wimpy gears. The ad says small v8,auto trans. I need something peppy for the hills here in Pa. but under 4.10's. So, I'm sayin' 3 1/2's or 3.73's. Had a '73 Chevy that had 3.08's and a 350,what a dog! And NO mileage. My Ranger had 3.27's w/4.0 and it was a dog too. Low 3's are good for Kansas etc. IMO

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Just got back from Kansas, FYI northern Kansas (hwy 36) is surprisingly hilly.

Steep loooong hills too. With smaller tires and od locked out I pulled my trailer with a treasure just fine though. With the 32's it wouldn't have been nearly as gracefull but it still would have done it.

 

[Little Red]

Thanks for the Geography lesson. I went through Kansas once or twice 15 yrs ago.Nice State. Nothing stood out as a hill to me compared to our "hills" LOL. The truck I was looking at was rode hard and put away wet too many times in my opinion. It has towed what seems from it's birth and I think it should be put down. BUT, it had the 3.55LS with the 5.4 engine but I passed on it. I learned something here and it will help me in the futuer. Thanks folks for all your help.