99fan

Today we were driving in 4 hi due to all the snow we now have, and we heard a loud bang...sounded like it was in the front, but not sure. We continued on thinking it was a chunk of ice on the road, and then it banged again and it was like I jammed the brakes on. It slid off the road. I tried to move it but it would not move, just a clicking noise like the transmission was out. I tried putting it in 2 hi and it would not move. I put it back in 4 hi and it clunked and finally it moved. I got off the road and tried back to 2 hi and it would not move. I put it in 4 hi and it would move, but the front wheels are only driving. I limped it home. I checked the rear drive shaft is turning but still only have front wheels driving. It is a 2004 f150 xlt 4.6L auto with electronic shift 4wd. Any help is greatly appreciated.

seniorFORDtech

you say the drivshaft turns, does it turn with the wheels on the ground, Does it turn with the truck in park if it does you may have a rear diff issue that rear end should be a locker and should be difficult to turn
I would lift the truck of all fours and put the truck in gear and check out the driveline and if the noise is present you should be able to tell were it's coming from.the you will need to tear it down..

Neggy

SAFETY WARNING

IF you suspect the rear driveshaft is spinning, but not turning the rear wheels DO NOT LEAVE THE TRUCK PARKED ON A HILL AND USE CHOCK BLOCKS AND YOUR EMERGENCY BRAKE WHEN YOU PARK IT

The front driveshaft MAY hold the truck, it may not, so until you figure out what it is, be safe, chock and Ebrake it

99fan

Well, it is at the garage now. But before I took it up, my wife watched underneath and when I moved it the rear drive shaft turned. Luckily I have a good friend with a auto repair shop that has alot of openings due to the weather.

99fan

Ok, got news that it is the rear end. It grenaded inside. Probably looking for a complete new rear end assembly. Seeing this are expensive anyway, I want to put the best one in I can. What are my options?

THanks

thump

My opinion = Yukon gears, timken bearings and a truetrac.

If you're ever thinking about lifting to the point you might want to change your gear ratio then now would be the time to change out both diffs.

Also.. make sure the guy redoing your rear end is experienced with this. Setting up the ring & pinion tolerances so you have a good lash pattern takes some practice and love.

GATORB8

You could probably pick up a low milage junkyard unit and save a few bucks.

99fan

I'm going to get a new (rebuilt)Jasper rear end assembly. It is $1500 plus labor. They should have it built and sent out to the garage by Friday. It has a 3 year 100,000 mile parts and labor warranty. Junk yards want anywhere from $950 to $1200 for a use one with most having around 75,000 miles on them. I think it's a smarter move to spend a little extra and know what I have.

ford4wd08

jasper is a good company, anything you buy from them is sure to last for years

GATORB8

How much did the shop quote you to rebuild your existing?

I'd save your old assembly, I'm sure you could get a few hundred out of it.