Symptom Chart

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2007 Ford Pickup, 2007 Ford F550 Super Duty, 2007 Ford F450 Super Duty, and 2007 Ford Cab & Chassis. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Symptom Chart

Condition	Possible Sources	Action
Traction-Lok® rear axle has a high-pitched chattering noise while turning	Lubricant	ROAD TEST the vehicle. DRIVE in tight circles, 5 clockwise and 5 counterclockwise. If the chatter is still evident, FLUSH and REFILL with the specified rear axle lubricant and additive friction modifier. REFER to Specifications in this article.
	Differential	REFER to DIFFERENTIAL CHECK - TRACTION-LOK® Road Test (Ford) in this article. REPAIR as necessary.
Trac-Lok® rear axle has a chatter noise while turning	Lubricant Differential	REFER to DIFFERENTIAL CHECK - TRAC-LOK® Road Test (Dana) in this article.
Traction-Lok® does not work in snow, mud or on ice	Differential	CARRY OUT the Differential Check - Ford Traction-Lok® Road Test in this article. REPAIR as necessary.
Lubricant leaking from the pinion seal, axle shaft oil seals	Vent	CLEAN the differential housing vent and the vent hose.
	Damage in the seal contact area	INSTALL a new seal and mating surface if damage is found.
Front axle will not engage	Switches Wiring GEM Shift motor Vacuum application	REFER to FOUR WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) SYSTEMS article.
Front axle will not disengage	Switches Wiring GEM Shift motor Vacuum application	REFER to FOUR WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) SYSTEMS article.
Differential side gears/pinion gears are scored	Insufficient lubrication	INSTALL new gears. REFER to REAR DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL - DANA 80 article, REAR DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL - DANA S110 AND S130 article, REAR DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL - FORD 10.50-INCH RING GEAR article or FRONT DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL article. FILL the axle to specification.
	Incorrect or contaminated lubricant type	INSTALL new gears. REFER to REAR DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL - DANA 80 article, REAR DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL - DANA S110 AND S130 article, REAR DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL - FORD 10.50-INCH RING GEAR article or FRONT DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL article. CLEAN and REFILL the axle to specification.
Axle overheating	Lubricant level too low	CHECK the lubricant level. FILL the axle to specification.
	Incorrect or contaminated lubricant type	INSPECT the axle for damage. REPAIR as necessary. CLEAN and REFILL the axle to specification.
	Bearing preloads too high	CHECK the ring and pinion for damage. INSPECT the ring and pinion wear pattern. ADJUST the preload as necessary.
	Excessive gear wear	INSPECT all the axle gears for wear or damage. INSTALL new components as necessary.
	Incorrect ring gear backlash	INSPECT the ring gear for scoring. INSPECT the ring and pinion wear pattern. ADJUST the ring gear backlash as necessary.
Broken gear teeth on the ring gear or pinion	Overloading the vehicle	INSTALL a new ring and pinion. REFER to REAR DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL - DANA 80 article, REAR DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL - DANA S110 AND S130 article, REAR DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL - FORD 10.50-INCH RING GEAR article or FRONT DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL article.
Axle shaft broken	Overload the vehicle	INSTALL a new axle shaft. REFER to WHEEL HUBS AND BEARINGS - FULL FLOATING AXLE - DANA article, REAR DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL - FORD 10.50-INCH RING GEAR article, WHEEL HUBS AND BEARINGS - FULL FLOATING AXLE - FORD article or FRONT DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL article.
	Misaligned axle shaft tube	INSPECT the axle for damage. CHECK axle shaft tube alignment. INSTALL a new axle shaft. REFER to WHEEL HUBS AND BEARINGS - FULL FLOATING AXLE - DANA article, REAR DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL - FORD 10.50-INCH RING GEAR article, WHEEL HUBS AND BEARINGS - FULL FLOATING AXLE - FORD article or FRONT DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL article.