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gypsy8 · 11-28-2016, 02:21 PM

2008 Thor Motorhome 14K miles Ford F10 we heard a howling noise only to find the rear end was shot! Ford doesn't care and I can't find a reason for this to happen. Anyone else?

vsheetz · 11-28-2016, 02:32 PM

Fluid leaked out?

twinboat · 11-28-2016, 02:45 PM

Did you buy it used from a area that floods.

wa8yxm · 11-28-2016, 05:15 PM

One of the causes is lack of lubrication, this can be caused by axle seals leaking, happened to me, but........ I took it in for service before disaster struck so it was basically an hour's labor and 10 bucks in parts. .. Beats the gears out of a new rear end.

Pirate · 11-28-2016, 05:24 PM

2008 with only 14K miles? Lots of strange here.

GrampaDennis · 11-28-2016, 06:11 PM

Makes you wonder if the rear end was never filled with lube when new.

If you have evidence that it had never been lubed when new, you might get in touch with the Ford Motor Company District Service Manager (Not sure of exact title). We had an experience once where we got some help on a problem on a Chrysler vehicle that was not initially covered by warranty, but there was a known design issue. Our local service manager recommend we appeal to the District Manager. We did, and we got part of the expense covered.

twinboat · 11-28-2016, 06:22 PM

If the rear end was never filled, you probably wouldn't get 140 miles on it.

vsheetz · 11-28-2016, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinboat

If the rear end was never filled, you probably wouldn't get 140 miles on it.

Agree. Would not have lasted 14k Mike's if no lube ever.

chuckftboy · 11-28-2016, 06:53 PM

Who is telling you it is totally shot? Maybe its time for a second opinion? If memory serves me, that's a Dana rear end so parts are readily available. That's a good thing.

mhbell · 11-28-2016, 08:20 PM

X2 Chuckftboy
It is probably a dana 80 series and if it is it has a removable cover on the back and easy to get at to replace parts or to see what is going on.
Mel

twinboat · 11-28-2016, 09:04 PM

If it's howling, it's shot.

Its not as simple as opening the cover and changing parts.

The ring and pinion go bad, causing the howl, and send fine metal filings thru the carrier bearings, spider gears and out to the wheel bearings.

If it has a rear cover, the axles need to come out, to pull the ring gear carrier. The hubs need to come off to check and most likely replace the wheel bearings.

The drive shaft will need to come out so they can pull the pinion out the front of the housing.

Otherwise the front loaded diff comes out, after pulling the driveshaft and axles and rebuilt on a bench, then with the rear hubs still need to be pulled for inspecton.

Did they show you the drain plug full of metal ?

**JohnRR** · 11-28-2016, 09:24 PM

Not filled when new? Has it never had an oil change service? Checking all fluid levels is part of a competent oil change.

I don't see any mention of wether or not it had gear lube in it, nor any indication of why it's shot other than the howl, kind of hard to hazard any reasonable type of guess what's wrong with it from the information posted about it.

mhbell · 11-28-2016, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinboat

If it's howling, it's shot.

Its not as simple as opening the cover and changing parts.

The ring and pinion go bad, causing the howl, and send fine metal filings thru the carrier bearings, spider gears and out to the wheel bearings.

If it has a rear cover, the axles need to come out, to pull the ring gear carrier. The hubs need to come off to check and most likely replace the wheel bearings.

The drive shaft will need to come out so they can pull the pinion out the front of the housing.

Otherwise the front loaded diff comes out, after pulling the driveshaft and axles and rebuilt on a bench, then with the rear hubs still need to be pulled for inspecton.

Did they show you the drain plug full of metal ?

Very true about it not being that simple. On the other hand you won't know the extent of the damage until the cover is removed and the ring and pinion are inspected. Bearings can cause slop in the ring and pinion and if caught in time there may not be damage other than to replace the bearings and adjust the ring and pinion to spec's. I have overhauled a few in my day. It could also be something else causing the howl. He needs to Get a good mechanic to check it out if he hasn't done so already.
Mel

slemnah · 11-28-2016, 10:45 PM

A lot depends on when you get the "howl" as to what the problem is. If the howl is on acceleration or deceleration it could be the pinion bearings or the gears. If the howl is all the time when the vehicle is moving regardless of turns then it could be the side diff bearings. If the noise changes when going around turns then it could be wheel bearings. Unfortunately parts can go bad and I doubt that Ford would even consider warranty on something this old. I would have it checked by a competent technician that has the tools and knowledge to set up the rear.
Steve