I’m having a shudder noise/vibration at slow speed take off while turning

Tiny
JAYYSN
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 FORD F-150
  • 5.4L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 270,000 MILES
I have the 9.75 rear end with the open clutch style differential. I’m having a shudder noise/vibration at slow speed take off while turning. Looking at several ways/options to go about this solution. Trying to rule this out but I haven’t messed with the brakes yet on the vehicle since I owned it. But the parking brake light stays on. I know the rear and front pads need to be changed but haven’t looked at close enough to see if any of the rear disc brake components are defective and seeing if this could cause the issue. If it is the rear end solely I would like to know what you think about these 3 solutions and if a better one (if the brakes do not fix):
1. Change rear differential fluid and add friction modifier. Cheapest but do this just to see if this fixes?
2. Replace clutches and re-seal, new bearings if damaged? Probably the next cheapest solution but seems complex and labor intensive getting clutches and components lined up and assuming the ring and pinion gear along with any other rear end components are good to go another x amount of miles.
3. Replace differential with an Eaton Truetrac. While at it probably replace ring and pinion, all bearings/seals? Most expensive by far. And would it be worth replacing ring and pinion if going this route?
Tuesday, May 25th, 2021 AT 7:29 AM

10 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,643 POSTS
I think a differential service could help the problem plus you can inspect the fluid to see if there is a lot of metal in it. This video shows the job being done on a similar car but the process is the same:

https://youtu.be/ygti8zvpg4M

Can you please shoot a quick video with your phone so we can hear the noise? that would be great. You can upload it here with your response.
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Wednesday, May 26th, 2021 AT 10:22 AM
Tiny
JAYYSN
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  • 10 POSTS
This is the best one I could get. Not very loud shudder but you can see the shaking. Also, from a complete stop there is slight hesitation not sure if worn clutches causes that as well? Seems like something isn’t spinning as free as it should. Again, not sure if that is braking needs changing or worn rear end clutches.
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Wednesday, May 26th, 2021 AT 7:31 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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  • 47,643 POSTS
Does the shake and noise seem to be more prevalent at low speeds? Lets jack up the front and then the rear and spin the tires, we are looks for defects in the tires (cord separation). these guides can help:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/jack-up-and-lift-your-car-safely

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-car-tires-work

We can go from there. Please run down these guides and report back.

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Friday, May 28th, 2021 AT 11:25 AM
Tiny
JAYYSN
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
No abnormal tire wear on the rear tires.
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Saturday, May 29th, 2021 AT 7:37 AM
Tiny
JAYYSN
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
So far I am changing the fluids and here’s what a I did or videoed while the temperature cover was off.
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Saturday, May 29th, 2021 AT 7:39 AM
Tiny
JAYYSN
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  • 10 POSTS
Videos with temperature cover off.
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Saturday, May 29th, 2021 AT 7:44 AM
Tiny
JAYYSN
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  • 10 POSTS
Right now the gasket maker is still curing so waiting on it’s final 24 hours to cure. When finished I will add the correct friction modifier and fill the rest with Amsoil rear temperature fluid. If this doesn’t fix will look into maybe changing the temperature clutches.
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Saturday, May 29th, 2021 AT 7:47 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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  • 47,643 POSTS
Thanks for the videos. to remove the drive shaft you are on the right track, you must shock the driveshaft yoke to break it loose, it will not come off the transmission end. The play is normal in the gears for the mileage (little loose) can you tell if there is metal in the fluid? take a sample from the bottom off the diff housing. The tires look aggressive so they can be making noise even though nothing sticks out. Can you grab the rear wheels and see if one moves excessively up and down? It could be a axle bearing causing the issues. This video shows the job being done on a similar car but the process is the same:

https://youtu.be/zarxKsspr3s

Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.
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Sunday, May 30th, 2021 AT 11:57 AM
Tiny
JAYYSN
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Rewinding a week earlier. Also, the person who had the vehicle before me said they “replaced the rear end seals”. Prior to do doing the drain and refill job I noticed the diff was a quart low on fluid. Added the 1 quart 75w-140 it calls for (Valvoline Synthetic) until poured out fill hole. After there was no change in shuddering and rolling resistance. This weekend after I drained everything out and resealed the gasket I added 4 oz bottle of friction modifier and almost 3 quarts of Amsoil Synthetic 75w-140. I did notice as I was pouring in over a quart some of the fluid shot back out a couple times and I had to be careful until I noticed it was a steady stream pouring out down the side of differential to let me know it was full. So I assume the person who had the vehicle before me didn’t use friction modifier and didn’t add the correct amount of fluid. So far still has a light shudder but not as noticeable and rolling resistance at takeoff seems to be lessened. If it stays like this and doesn’t get any worse then I’ll leave it alone but if not then I’ll replace the clutch plates.
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Monday, May 31st, 2021 AT 10:02 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Hi,

I'm glad to hear you found the issue. Also, thank you for the follow-up. I'm sure it will help others.

Please feel free to come back anytime in the future if you have questions.

Take care,

Joe
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Wednesday, June 2nd, 2021 AT 4:34 PM

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