2003 Ford Explorer rear end noise when deceleration

2003 FORD EXPLORER
135,000 MILES • 6 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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POCOLACHRISTIAN
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Hi, I noticed when i hit about 40mph and let off gas and coast do a stop i hear rear end noise like a howling/grinding. I can even feel it in steering wheel sometimes. I heard something about pinion bearing preload set has loosened. I had it replaced about one month ago. I was making howling noise around 60-70mph. Now thats gone and doing this. any ideas. Please help.
Apr 24, 2010 at 5:31 PM
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MERLIN2021
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There is a tech bulletin about this and also rear hub bearings This is the rear end bulletin:
REAR AXLE NOISE REPAIR TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN Reference Number(s): 05-23-3, Date of Issue:  November 28, 2005 Superceded Bulletin(s): 05-12-6, Date of Issue:  June 27, 2005 Related Ref Number(s): 05-12-6, 05-23-3, 05-6-18 ARTICLE BEGINNING DESCRIPTION REAR AXLE NOISE REPAIR ISSUE Some vehicles may exhibit an axle whine or hum during acceleration, deceleration and/or cruise. ACTION An axle repair kit has been developed which incorporates most parts required for a comprehensive axle repair. The kit should be used instead of installing a complete axle assembly to repair an axle whine/hum. Replace Ring and Pinion with Axle Kit and Components. FORD: 1997-2005 Expedition, F-150; 2002-2005 Explorer LINCOLN: 1998-2005 Navigator; 2003-2005 Aviator MERCURY: 2002-2005 Mountaineer NOTE: This article supersedes TSB 05-12-6 to update the Service Kit and Service Procedure information. NOTE: REFER TO THE "DIFFERENTIAL RING AND PINION" IN-VEHICLE REPAIR PROCEDURE IN THE ONLINE WORKSHOP MANUAL SECTION 205-00, FOR THE LATEST AXLE DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR PROCEDURES. NOTE: FOR 1999 AND PRIOR MODEL YEAR VEHICLES, USE THE 2000 MODEL YEAR WORKSHOP MANUAL. NOTE: WHEN SERVICING THE REAR AXLE ON ANY 2002-2004 F-150, EXPEDITION, NAVIGATOR, EXPLORER OR MOUNTAINEER BUILT BEFORE 3/30/2004, IF FLUID REPLACEMENT IS REQUIRED, REPLACE THE ORIGINAL FUEL EFFICIENT HIGH PERFORMANCE (FEHP) SAE 75W-90 REAR AXLE LUBRICANT WITH SAE 75W-140 HIGH PERFORMANCE SYNTHETIC REAR AXLE LUBRICANT. WHEN THE FLUID TYPE IS CHANGED, REPLACE THE CURRENT "FEHP" METAL TAG WITH A NEW "75W-140" TAG (F3TZ-4121-AA). IN ADDITION, REMOVE OR BLOCK-OUT THE FEHP REFERENCE ON THE MULTI- Page 1 of 3
KIT ORDERING: REFER TO THE VEHICLE AXLE TAG FOR AXLE RATIO IDENTIFICATION  5L3Z-4209-A = (8.8-Inch Ring Gear/3.31 ratio) (1997-2005 F-150)  5L3Z-4209-B = (8.8-Inch Ring Gear/3.55 ratio) (1997-2005 F-150, 2002-2005 Explorer/Mountaineer/Aviator)  5L3Z-4209-C = (8.8-Inch Ring Gear/3.73 ratio) (1997-2005 F-150, 2002-2005 Explorer/Mountaineer/Aviator, 2003-2004 Expedition/Navigator)  5L3Z-4209-D = (9.75-Inch Ring Gear/3.31 ratio) (1997-2005 F-150, 2005 Expedition/Navigator, 1997-2002 Expedition/Navigator)  5L3Z-4209-E = (9.75-Inch Ring Gear/3.55 ratio) (1997-2005 F-150, 1997-2002 Expedition/Navigator)  5L3Z-4209-F = (9.75-Inch Ring Gear/3.73 ratio) (1997-2005 F-150, 1997-2005 Expedition/Navigator) THE AXLE SERVICE KITS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING COMPONENTS:  4630 - Head Bearing  4628 - Head Bearing Cup  4676 - Pinion Seal  386989-S2 - Washer (Slinger)  4621 - Tail Bearing  4616 - Tail Bearing Cup  4222 - Differential Bearing Cups  4221 - Differential Bearings  4209 - Gear Set (includes pinion shims, pinion nut and crush spacer)  4209 - Instruction Sheet ORDER AS NEEDED: COLORED LABEL LOCATED ON THE RIGHT SIDE AXLE TUBE. IF THE AXLE IS A LIMITED-SLIP MODEL, USE XL3 ADDITIVE FRICTION MODIFIER IN THE QUANTITY RECOMMENDED BY THE WORKSHOP MANUAL. NOTE: 9.75 REAR AXLE HOUSINGS WERE REDESIGNED IN MID-1999, INCREASING FRONT PINION BEARING SIZE. REPLACING RING & PINIONS IN AN OLD-STYLE AXLE ASSEMBLY WILL REQUIRE INSTALLATION OF SPACER P/N YL3Z-4662-CA. SPACER IS TO BE INSTALLED BETWEEN INNER PINION BEARING AND COLLAPSIBLE SPACER. NOTE: THE KIT DOES NOT INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING ITEMS. SOME OR ALL OF THESE ITEMS WILL BE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE AXLE SERVICE, DEPENDING ON AXLE APPLICATION/STYLE.  YL3Z-4662-CA - Pinion Bearing Spacer for 1997-1998 9.75 axles  XG-14 - Gear Marking Compound  4067 - Differential Shims 0.241" to 0.307"  SAE XY-75W140-QL - High Performance Synthetic Rear Axle Lubricant  XL-3 - Additive Friction Modifier (Limited Slip Axles Only)  205-506 - Seal Protectors (Rotunda Tool)  W710084-S439 - Wheel End Nuts  390266-S100 - Differential Slave Pin Bolt (9.75" axles)  387426-S100 - Differential Slave Pin Bolt (8.8" axles)  4B422 - Axle Circlips  ZC-21 - Metal Surface Cleaner  TA-29 - Ultra Silicone Sealant  TA-27 - Stud and Bearing Mount Retaining Compound and Sealer  F3TZ-4121-AA - Fluid Tag (REQUIRED IF FLUID TYPE IS CHANGED FROM FEHP DURING REPAIR) WARRANTY INFORMATION WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under Provisions Of New Vehicle Limited Warranty Coverage. NOTE: REUSE OF RING GEAR BOLTS, CARRIER BEARING CAP BOLTS AND DIFFERENTIAL SLAVE PIN RETAINING BOLT REQUIRES CLEANING OF THREADS AND INSTALLATION OF TA-27 STUD AND BEARING MOUNT RETAINING COMPOUND & SEALANT.
4/24/2010 http://www.ondemand5.com/mric/common/asp/Article.aspx?MOD=TSBART&YEAR=20 ...
Growling noises can also be from the rear wheel hub bearings.
Apr 24, 2010 at 5:44 PM
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POCOLACHRISTIAN
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So would you say it would be a wheel bearing since i just got new pinion put in. The noise didn't start until after pinion repair. Also would wrong diff oil cause that noise
Apr 24, 2010 at 8:34 PM
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MERLIN2021
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the wrong oil? Meaning not gear oil 85-90 wt.
If you mean they used engine oil then yes it could contribute to early part failure. I would say to put it on a lift, spin the rear wheels, any roughness in the hub bearing could be felt.
Apr 25, 2010 at 7:53 AM
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POCOLACHRISTIAN
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I meant wrong weight of gear oil. Anyway I crawled under explorer and with it in park and grabbed where the driveshaft flange fits on pinion flange. I could move that back and forth about a half inch each way. I don't know if that is supposed to have play in it or your not supposed to be able to turn that at all. Thank You.
Apr 25, 2010 at 5:55 PM
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MERLIN2021
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Should not have that much play. were new parts used?
Crush spacer isn't working.
Apr 26, 2010 at 2:33 AM