Metallic howling noise

[thatdarnranger]

Hey all. I've got a 21 Ranger with 44k on the clock. Recently I've started hearing what can be described as a metallic howling noise generally when decelerating. No associated vibration, no warning lights, etc. The transmission is shifting fine and I checked the fluid level (which was fine as well). U-joints are solid, and the center support bearing appears fine. We put it on a lift and put it into gear...no noise. Any ideas? I have an appointment with a shop next Wednesday but I'm waiting for the dreaded "couldn't replicate customer complaint" to come back.

edit: forgot to mention I just changed the rear diff fluid a couple thousand miles ago, it's not leaking.

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[Frenchy]

I would recommend taking it to a local shop you trust, even if it's the dealer. Without being in front of the vehicle it's hard to say what it is

 

[thatdarnranger]

I would recommend taking it to a local shop you trust, even if it's the dealer. Without being in front of the vehicle it's hard to say what it is

Yeah, totally understand. Figured I'd post in case someone else had already experienced this, who knows.

 

[bill_AUS]

I'm on the other side of the planet, but my Raptor had a whining on deceleration. The dealer diagnosed it as the rear differential and replaced it under warranty. This was at around 10,000km on the clock.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

I'm on the other side of the planet, but my Raptor had a whining on deceleration. The dealer diagnosed it as the rear differential and replaced it under warranty. This was at around 10,000km on the clock.

Happy New Year Billy - I guess it’s been Monday there for a while. ?

 

[notsolinear]

If you haven’t seen it, read through this thread. I’ve been following it because I bought a used ‘21 with 27k on it and one dealership said it needed a new carrier bearing but the dealer closer to home said it “couldn’t replicate”. My noise pretty distinctly comes from the rear and is loud enough I can hear it clearly but not quite a “growl” that would alarm passengers.

 

[9zero1790]

some ideas = possible hanging brakes (esp right rear), Center support bearing (give it sloppy shot of spray lubricant like rem oil and see if the sounds goes away or changes), wheel bearing, rear end (Id change the fluid again and see how it looks, look around inside the pumpkin).
I have a 21 also, my first guess is center support bearing as i have been through a few of them. from the description of the sound rear end giving up seems most suspect.

 

[William Oz]

I had the same noise. It sounded like a wheel bearing starting to go. It ended up being the drive shaft center bearing. I took it in for it and the dealer couldn't replicate the noise. As I was driving home from the dealership I heard it again and turned right back around. They put it on the hoist and used their stethoscope on the bearing and amazingly heard it. Said it was a non-serviceable part and had to order a new drive shaft.
Warranty covered it for me. Noise went away.

 

[thatdarnranger]

I'm on the other side of the planet, but my Raptor had a whining on deceleration. The dealer diagnosed it as the rear differential and replaced it under warranty. This was at around 10,000km on the clock.

That would literally make me sick. I put a bunch of money into my rear diff (eaton e-locker and jeep gears). Fingers crossed it's not that. I'll update the thread after my appointment.

 

[got3fords]

Perhaps this is a case where a one-piece driveshaft is warranted. Many satisfied people on here have one.

 

[thatdarnranger]

Perhaps this is a case where a one-piece driveshaft is warranted. Many satisfied people on here have one.

I tried that awhile back. No go, there was an awful resonance issue at speeds around 65mph. Not sure what was up with that. It's because I have the longbox Ranger, the shaft is longer and the shop just couldn't get it right. Worth investigating again, though...maybe the place I went to was just subpar.

 

[bill_AUS]

Happy New Year Billy - I guess it’s been Monday there for a while. ?

It had been, it was about midday when I logged on

 

[bill_AUS]

That would literally make me sick. I put a bunch of money into my rear diff (eaton e-locker and jeep gears). Fingers crossed it's not that. I'll update the thread after my appointment.

Did you touch the pinion when putting that stuff in? If not it could be the preload, if you did I would have expected it to whine straight away.

I never found out what the cause of mine was, the dealer had to send the diff centre back to Ford Australia for investigation. I believe from the noise the preload was set wrong.

 

[bill_AUS]

I tried that awhile back. No go, there was an awful resonance issue at speeds around 65mph. Not sure what was up with that. It's because I have the longbox Ranger, the shaft is longer and the shop just couldn't get it right. Worth investigating again, though...maybe the place I went to was just subpar.

Instead of a one piece, you could get a two piece made with four UJs, like in a lot of trucks. This would allow for correct phasing.
Or do what Ford did in my Raptor from factory, two UJs (one at each end) and a CV joint in the middle between the two halves, this allows the end UJs to be correctly phased. The next gen ranger has this setup across the board now.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

It had been, it was about midday when I logged on

I “missed a day” travelling to Australia from Vancouver and never got it back. Left on the weekend and arrived during the week. ?

Darned International Date Line!

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