I have a 2003 Explorer with 55,000 miles on it and it sounds like the rearend is starting to develope a whine. Has anyone else heard of this noise problem with their Explorer. And is there maybe a synthetic oil that I can use in the rearend that will quieten down the whine in the rearend. Any information would be helpful?

 

Ford has an additive you can put in to try an hush the girl up,,,At 50,000 I would suggest you change the diff oil anyway

 

yes there is a problem with some of them where you have to change the clutch packs you should check that out

 

Ford had alot of problems with the Explorer rears. The clutch packs do not make a whine, it is ring/pinion bearing related.

 

yea they have a TBS out on them , I guess some folks are getting complete rear end's replaced , Thru FORD , check it out !!!!!! I wouldnt stall .

 

well there has been at least 6 at our shop changed and the problem was clutch packs and yes ford did have alot of problem with rear ends in explorers and there has been some changed as well

 

Were the rearends that are being changed out covered under the 36,000 mile warranty. I have 55,000 miles on my 03 Explorer and do not have an extended warranty coverage. It would be great if Ford would cover this under warranty knowing of this problem with the rearends on the Explorers.

 

had this problem on my 2000 4x4 xlt and took it in the shorts. dealer replaced bearings, then problem started again 12 months later. A good indication was the metal shavings in the read end differential fluid; dealer came back, told me pinion needed to be replaced, got them to do it after bitching and moaning, but luckily hasnt been bad since.

 

I have a 2003 Explorer, I had the same problem right after I purchased it. Mine was still under warranty at 23K and I had to have the rear differential replaced. I have not had a problem with it since then. When I purchased the vehicle the salesman told me it was just a noise the tires made on an suv. I think this is a common problem I have a friend that owns a 2003 Mountaineer and she had her rear differential replaced as well.

 

I have a 2003 explorer with 55K miles on it. At 14K mi., a shudder in the rear end was fixed with the additive. Then, at 37K, a loud whine started at speeds between 50-55 mph, also shuddering from rear started again. After a huge hassle with my dealership in Red Bluff, a differential clutch pack was installed. In less than a month the howling and whining started again. More prolonged agony with dealership as to who was responsible for payment, it now has a new ring and pinion kit, which did not fix the problem. Whining has gotten louder and now a "ringing" from rear end has started and is heard at all speeds upon acceleration. Less than 20K miles later, my explorer is back in the shop. Now they say I need shims at a cost of 650.00. I was told the previous time that I needed shims but none were installed. My car has been at the dealership now for 3 days and no word on when it will be fixed. I have refused to pay for this latest "fix" due to the fact that it is still under warranty from the previous "fix". Being a loyal Ford customer for years, I am seriously disappointed in this product. Also, rear passenger window has had a new motor installed twice in less than a year.