Pinion or Axle Bearing?
07-30-2012, 08:54 PM
#1
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Pinion or Axle Bearing?
My pinion seal on a 2002 5.4L F150 (120,000 miles) had a slow leak...I was about to go on a road trip so i decided against my better judgment and brought it to ford so they could fix it due to a time constraint, rather than doing it my self like i normally would. They replaced the pinion seals and axle seals on the rear end. There was no noise coming from the rear axle before Ford worked on it. Since then the rear end has been making a rotating noise...which to me sounds like it is coming from the center of the axle. Ford's tech thought it was coming from the right wheel bearing and adjusted its position which did reduce the noise to some degree.
Is there any way to know for sure whether or not it is a pinion bearing or an axle bearing? I was told that if they over torqued the pinion it would produce noise and eventually break.
Side note: They somehow managed to put a hole in my muffler...
Thanx in advance
Is there any way to know for sure whether or not it is a pinion bearing or an axle bearing? I was told that if they over torqued the pinion it would produce noise and eventually break.
Side note: They somehow managed to put a hole in my muffler...
Thanx in advance
Last edited by Jscarpin; 07-30-2012 at 09:05 PM.
07-30-2012, 11:59 PM
#3
Sounds like the wrong preload on the pinion. But at 120k I'm suprised the axle bearings have not been replaced.
Here is a easy way to determine if its axle bearings, or differential bearings. Axle bearings will mak more noise when turning. When turning left if you hear a bearing noise it is more than likely the right rear. and vice versa for turning right. Now when traveling interstate state speeds if you hear nothing under throttle, but hear a whining while coasting it would be carrier bearings. Pinion bearing you will typically hear around 45-50 mph when under throttle.
Here is a easy way to determine if its axle bearings, or differential bearings. Axle bearings will mak more noise when turning. When turning left if you hear a bearing noise it is more than likely the right rear. and vice versa for turning right. Now when traveling interstate state speeds if you hear nothing under throttle, but hear a whining while coasting it would be carrier bearings. Pinion bearing you will typically hear around 45-50 mph when under throttle.
Last edited by Carcrazygts2; 07-31-2012 at 12:02 AM.
07-31-2012, 12:37 AM
#4
It sounds like they made the same mistake I did when I had the same problem you had. They over torqued the pinion nut. when I did it I was fairly new to DIY work on my truck. These guys are "pro's". They prolly hammered down in the nut with their air gun. Dealerships has gotten cheap by hiring UTI and Wyorech grads right out if school. They employ very few master techs anymore. So you have a bunch of 19 and 20 year olds being pushed to get the job done as fast as possible and forced to take short cuts. Take it to a shop that specializes in rear ends.
07-31-2012, 03:02 PM
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I'm pretty sure the axle bearings have already been changed. I think i did it a long time ago when i replace all of my rotors... Ill be going to ford to see if i can get these guys to do something about it.
Thanx everyone for the posts.
Thanx everyone for the posts.
08-01-2012, 09:47 AM
#6
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Axle bearings are not a common failure unless your diff oil level goes very low. Your pinion bearing preload is wrong. By now you'll likely need to replace the pinion bearings if they've been noisey. You'll also need a new collapsible sleeve. Pinion bearing preload must be set properly. The spec for tightening is : tighten nut until sleeve begins to collapse and continue tightening until 9-15 lbs/in of torque is required to turn the pinion gear.
