Symptom Chart - NVH
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2019 Ford F-550 Super Duty, 2019 Ford F-450 Super Duty, 2019 Ford F-350 Super Duty, and 2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
Diagnostics in this service information assume a certain skill level and knowledge of Ford-specific diagnostic practices. REFER to: Diagnostic Methods .
Symptom Chart - NVH
| Condition | Possible Sources | Actions |
|---|---|---|
| Axle howling or whine | Axle lubricant low | CHECK the lubricant level. FILL the axle to specification. REFER to: Differential Fluid Level Check . |
| Axle housing damage | INSPECT the axle housing for damage. REPAIR or INSTALL a new axle as necessary. REFER to: Axle Assembly . | |
| Damaged or worn wheel hub bearings | CHECK for abnormal wheel hub bearing play or roughness. REFER to: Front Wheel Bearing and Wheel Hub . | |
| Damaged or worn differential ring and pinion | INSPECT and INSTALL a new differential ring and pinion as necessary. REFER to: Differential Ring Gear and Pinion . | |
| Damaged or worn differential side or pinion bearings | INSPECT and INSTALL new differential side or pinion bearings as necessary. REFER to: Differential Bearings . | |
| Driveline clunk - loud clunk when shifting from REVERSE to DRIVE | Incorrect axle lubricant level | CHECK the lubricant level. FILL the axle to specification. REFER to: Differential Fluid Level Check . |
| Excessive backlash in the axle | CHECK for excessive axle backlash. ADJUST backlash as necessary. REFER to: Differential Ring Gear and Pinion . | |
| Damaged or worn pinion bearings | REPAIR or INSTALL new pinion bearings as necessary. REFER to: Differential Bearings . | |
| Loose or missing fasteners | CHECK all driveline fasteners for proper torque. | |
| Driveline clunk -- occurs as the vehicle starts to move forward following a stop | Loose axle mount | CHECK the axle for loose bolts. TIGHTEN to proper torque. REFER to: Axle Assembly . |
| Loose or missing fasteners | CHECK all driveline fasteners for proper torque. | |
| Driveline clunk -- occurs during acceleration or from cruise to coast/deceleration | Loose or missing fasteners | CHECK all driveline fasteners for proper torque. |
| High pitched chattering -- noise from the axle when the vehicle is turning | Incorrect or contaminated lubricant | CHECK the vehicle by driving in tight circles (5 clockwise, 5 counterclockwise). CLEAN and REFILL the axle to specification. REFER to: Differential Fluid Level Check . |
| Damaged or worn differential (differential side gears and pinion gears) | REPAIR or INSTALL new differential side gears or pinion gears as necessary. REFER to: Differential Carrier . | |
| Uneven tire sizes or high performance tires with soft compound | ROTATE the wheel and tire assemblies or INSTALL new wheel and tire assemblies as necessary. REFER to: Wheel and Tire - Vehicles With: Dual Rear Wheels . REFER to: Wheel and Tire - Vehicles With: Single Rear Wheels . | |
| Grunting -- normally associated with a shudder experienced during acceleration from a complete stop | Loose axle mount bolts or suspension fasteners | INSPECT the rear suspension and axle. TIGHTEN the fasteners to specification. REFER to: Axle Assembly . |
| Howl -- can occur at various speeds and driving conditions. Affected by acceleration and deceleration | Incorrect ring and pinion contact, incorrect bearing preload or gear damage | INSPECT and REPAIR as necessary. REFER to: Differential Ring Gear and Pinion . |
| Chuckle -- heard at coast/deceleration. Also described as a knock | Incorrect ring and pinion contact or damaged teeth on the coast side of the ring and pinion | INSPECT and REPAIR as necessary. Refer to Contact Pattern Location in this procedure. |
| Knock -- noise occurs at various speeds. Not affected by acceleration or deceleration | Gear tooth damage to the drive side of the ring and pinion | INSTALL a new ring and pinion. REFER to: Differential Ring Gear and Pinion . |
| Scraping noise -- a continuous low pitched noise starting at low speeds | Worn or damaged pinion bearings | INSPECT and REPAIR or INSTALL new pinion bearings. REFER to: Differential Ring Gear and Pinion . |
| Driveline shudder - occurs during acceleration from a slow speed or stop | Drive axle assembly mispositioned | CHECK the axle mounts and the rear suspension for damage or wear. REPAIR as necessary. REFER to: Axle Assembly . |
| Loose axle bolts | CHECK the axle for loose bolts. TIGHTEN the bolts to specification. REFER to: Axle Assembly . | |
| Loose or missing fasteners | CHECK all driveline fasteners for proper torque. |