Front axles
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Joined: Oct 2023
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Front axles
Hello to all!!
I hope I'm in the right section for my questions.
I recently purchased a 2013 F150 stx 4x4, 4doir extended cab. First ford purchase. I haven't put 50 miles on it since I bought it. Started hearing weird clunking noises. I took it to a shop to have it looked at on a hoist. Found out both front axles are bad, boots torn on both sides. Front diff is starting to leak and fluid is a blueish gray color. GEARS GRINDING, ouch. My question is how can I tell what gears are in the front diff.? What axles are recommended? Not planning any hard core off road. Maybe just country fields when hunting. Any suggestions are deeply appreciated, thanks
I hope I'm in the right section for my questions.
I recently purchased a 2013 F150 stx 4x4, 4doir extended cab. First ford purchase. I haven't put 50 miles on it since I bought it. Started hearing weird clunking noises. I took it to a shop to have it looked at on a hoist. Found out both front axles are bad, boots torn on both sides. Front diff is starting to leak and fluid is a blueish gray color. GEARS GRINDING, ouch. My question is how can I tell what gears are in the front diff.? What axles are recommended? Not planning any hard core off road. Maybe just country fields when hunting. Any suggestions are deeply appreciated, thanks
Beeps and Boops
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 2,667
Likes: 1,786
From: Iowa
I had a bad experience putting non-Motorcraft axles on my Ford Edge. The thing vibrated for 20,000 miles until I finally relented and put Motorcraft axles on and it was instantly better.
Assuming your gear ratios are stock, you can read the code off of your door tag:
https://www.blueovaltrucks.com/tech-...-door-sticker/
Front diff fluid is commonly milky, likely due to heat cycles introducing condensation into the case. A good diff can have milky fluid, but it sounds like your isn't good.
Front diff is a difficult service as the steering rack is in the way. Consider adding a drain plug when you go through all of this work to make future fluid changes easier.
Assuming your gear ratios are stock, you can read the code off of your door tag:
https://www.blueovaltrucks.com/tech-...-door-sticker/
Front diff fluid is commonly milky, likely due to heat cycles introducing condensation into the case. A good diff can have milky fluid, but it sounds like your isn't good.
Front diff is a difficult service as the steering rack is in the way. Consider adding a drain plug when you go through all of this work to make future fluid changes easier.
