Symptom Chart - Driveline System

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2009 Mercury Grand Marquis and 2009 Ford Crown Victoria. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Condition	Possible Sources	Action
Traction-Lok® does not work in snow, mud or on ice	Differential	CARRY OUT the Traction-Lok® Differential Operation Check under Component Tests . REPAIR as necessary. REFER to REAR DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL - FORD 8.8-INCH RING GEAR article.
Lubricant leaking from the pinion seal or axle shaft oil seals	Vent	CLEAN the axle housing vent.
	Damage in the seal contact area or dust slinger on the pinion flange dust shield	INSTALL a new pinion flange and the pinion seal if damage is found. REFER to REAR DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL - FORD 8.8-INCH RING GEAR article.
	Rear wheel bearing or axle shaft seal wear	INSTALL a new rear wheel bearing or axle shaft seal. REFER to REAR DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL - FORD 8.8-INCH RING GEAR article.
	Axle shaft wear	INSPECT the axle shaft for wear and runout. REPLACE as necessary. REFER to REAR DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL - FORD 8.8-INCH RING GEAR article.
Differential side gears/pinion gears are scored	Insufficient lubrication	INSTALL new gears. REFER to REAR DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL - FORD 8.8-INCH RING GEAR article. FILL the axle to specification.
	Incorrect or contaminated lubricant type	INSTALL new gears. REFER to REAR DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL - FORD 8.8-INCH RING GEAR 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 preload adjusted too tight	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 - FORD 8.8-INCH RING GEAR article.
Axle shaft broken	Overloading the vehicle	INSTALL a new axle shaft. REFER to REAR DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL - FORD 8.8-INCH RING GEAR article.
	Misaligned axle shaft tube	INSPECT the axle for damage. CHECK axle shaft tube alignment. INSTALL a new axle shaft. REFER to REAR DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL - FORD 8.8-INCH RING GEAR article.