Back end whining big time,not happy.

[Lambulance]

Hi all,the back end (axle/shafts) on my 2000 smiley has started whining big time,not your average whine,but one that makes you think its going to go bang any moment.the sound reverberates through the whole van.
Any ideas on the problem?,easy fix?,expensive?,any help appreciated,thanks.......Kev

[Celticbiker]

Sounds like a diff gone.
Easy fix if it is

Galaxy S6 & Tapatalk

[MinorMatt]

Or the center bearing failed...

[derv23]

Is the noise definitely coming from the diff ? Have you checked prop shaft bearing? Is the noise constantly there when accelerating?
Lastly do you have a 5 or 6 studded hub ?

[Aardvark]

Don't mention bearings!!!

[derv23]

Bearing in mind....

[ricc]

had the same on mine over the new year

5 stud axle its easy to swop diffs, jack up , wheels off , brake drums beat off with a large hammer , half shafts then slide out with the aid of hammer and large screw driver. undo propshaft and then diff unbolts ...

having done that to rescue diff from another axle i let the local garage fit it ,,, i just didnt fancy doing it on the drive in the rain.and theve got sealant and oil to hand.

they swopped the prop shaft drive flange on the diff .... new diff is whinning up to about 40mph.... doesnt sound like the bearings about to explode like the old one did... im wondering if swopping the drive flange has upset the pinion bearing preload?

when the weathers more clemment ill take the prop off and try tightening the flange nut a tad to see what happens,or maybe try one of the magic diff oil additives? but can live with the new different noise for now. just got to keep the speed up


as said above do check the propshaft support bearings and ujs first.

[Lambulance]

Pretty sure its the diff (ex R.A.C feller who knows his stuff had a drive in it)
Anyway,its a 5 stud wheel,so hopefully no trouble.
Right,my dilemma is this.......
Do i A) risk a axle/diff from the scrappy or ebay and only have the same problem in a few weeks/months?
Do i B) buy a repair kit like this....
eBay item number:291914965893

BRAND NEW
TRANSIT REAR AXLE REPAIR KIT

1997-2000

ON FOR SINGLE AND TWIN WHEELS

4.63

RATIO'S

RECONDITIONING KIT

CONTAINS ...

1 CROWN WHEEL & PINION

2 PINION BEARINGS

2 DIFF BEARINGS

1 COLLAPSABLE SPACER

1 OIL SEAL

I LOCKNUT

ALL YOU NEED TO RECONDITION YOUR BACK AXLE
What do you guys think??????

[Lambulance]

How do i find out what 'type' of axle i have?,ie type 34??

[Aardvark]

Look here. http://www.fordtransit.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=10363&start=0&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

[Lambulance]

Look here. http://www.fordtransit.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=10363&start=0&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

Wow,excellent stuff,tells me everything i need to know

[Lambulance]

Possibly sorted (apart from the fitting),type 34 axle,4.56 ratio diff,awaiting delivery