1997 Ford E-350 Rear End Howl

1935 FORD F-350
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CLW
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With only 33,000 miles the rear end of my 1997 E350 super duty RV howls whenever it's under load, either steady speed or accelerating. Much quieter when you back off. If you start from a stop you can hear a faint whirring noise from the rear that once you are over 50mph become a howl.

Googling around a lot of answers suggest the ring and pinion are worn out. Can that happen in 33,000 miles?
Apr 3, 2006 at 5:16 AM
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LOSONE
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That is a common Fored problem. The vehicle is good for 3 yearsr 36K miles. The problem is the pinion bearing and the pinion race were not matched correctly. I had one replaceed on my E-350 super duty at no cost.

The noise will only get worse but will not come apart for many miles. Let me know
Apr 3, 2006 at 6:27 AM
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CLW
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How can I tell what rear is in my E350? 9, 10.25, dana??
How difficult is it to change out the pinion bearing?
Apr 3, 2006 at 1:11 PM
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LOSONE
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 1,616 POSTS
The tag is on the very top of the housing. The problem is that the ring and pinion are also misaligned by the pinion being being out of tolerance. You need to talk to a Ford person that really knows those rear ends.

If it was me, I would change the pinion bearing and align the ring and pinion. Make sure you buy a new crush washer for the pinion. You may end up with a little noise but nothing like you have. Good luck
Apr 3, 2006 at 2:05 PM
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Suggested Repair

Identify the axle from the tag on top of the housing. Have a Ford technician familiar with these rear ends replace the mismatched pinion bearing, realign the ring and pinion, and install a new crush washer. Some residual noise may remain.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 1997 Ford E-350 Super Duty RV with 33,000 miles reports a rear-end howl under load that is quieter when coasting, plus a faint whir from a stop that becomes a howl above 50 mph. The expert says this is a common Ford issue caused by a mismatched pinion bearing and race, which can also leave the ring and pinion misaligned. The noise will worsen but the rear should not come apart for many miles. The advice is to identify the axle by the tag on top of the housing, replace the pinion bearing, realign the ring and pinion, and use a new crush washer, preferably with a Ford technician who knows these rear ends.

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