Rear Axle Whine at 65-97 Km/h (40-60 MPH) – 2017 Ford E-350

	STRIPPED CHASSIS – 6.8L – 401 CM (158-INCH) WHEELBASE – 4.56 REAR AXLE RATIO – REAR AXLE WHINE AT 65-97 KM/H (40-60 MPH) – BUILT ON OR BEFORE 24-AUG-2016
Publication Date: October 13, 2016

 

FORD:

2017 E-350

 

ISSUE:

Some 2017 E-350 Stripped Chassis vehicles equipped with a 6.8L engine, 401 cm (158 inch) wheelbase, 4.56 rear axle ratio and built on or before 24-Aug-2016 may exhibit a rear axle whine at 65-97 Km/h (40-60 MPH).

 

ACTION:

Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

1. Raise the vehicle with the transmission shift lever in N (neutral). Refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 100-02.

1. Index-mark the driveshaft to the rear axle pinion flange.

1. Cut and discard the small slip yoke boot clamp.

1. Remove and discard the 4 driveshaft-to-pinion flange bolts and disconnect the rear driveshaft section from the pinion flange.

1. Remove the rear driveshaft.

1. Replace the rear driveshaft front universal joint and slip yoke with revised slip yoke part which includes a damper. Refer to WSM, Section 205-01.

1. Install a new yoke boot and small clamp onto the stub shaft of the front drive shaft.
   1. Push the slip yoke boot toward the front driveshaft. Lubricate the stub shaft splines with approximately 10 g (0.24 oz) of Motorcraft Premium Long-Life Grease or equivalent. Make sure the grease is evenly distributed along all the stub shaft splines.

1. Position the new large slip yoke boot clamp on the boot and install the slip yoke of the rear driveshaft onto the stub shaft of the front driveshaft. The blind spline must be aligned for installation.

1. Remove any excess grease from the slip yoke boot and driveshaft slip yoke surfaces. Position the large end of the boot onto the slip yoke boot groove. (Figure 1A)

Figure 1

 

1. Compress the slip yoke and set the dimension from the center of the center bearing to the U-joint centerline to 260 mm (10.25 inch). (Figure 1B)

1. Bleed the air from the slip yoke boot. (Figure 1C)

1. Using boot clamp pliers, crimp both slip yoke boot clamps.

1. Inspect the bolt area and the face of the driveshaft rear flange and axle pinion flange for damage.
   1. Remove any grease and debris from the face of the driveshaft rear flange and axle pinion flange.
   1. Remove any burrs, rust or debris from the driveshaft rear flange which could cause the bolts to not seat correctly.

1. Position the driveshaft rear flange on the pinion flange with the index marks aligned. Install 4 new driveshaft to pinion flange bolts.
   1. Tighten the 4 new bolts in the sequence shown to 112 Nm (83 lb-ft). (Figure 2)
      
      Figure 2

PART NUMBER	PART NAME
BC2Z-4841-A	Slip Yoke
N811880-S100	Bolt – Flange (1 package of 4)
BC3Z-4635-B	Universal Joint
F81Z-4421-CA	Slip Joint Boot And Clamps
XG-1-E1	Motorcraft Premium Long-Life Grease

 

OPERATION	DESCRIPTION	TIME
160145A	2017 Econoline Stripped Chassis: Replace The Slip Yoke, Slip Yoke Boot And Universal Joint Following The Service Procedure (Do Not Use With Any Other Labor Operations)	0.8 Hr.

 

WARRANTY STATUS

Eligible Under Provisions Of New Vehicle Limited Warranty Coverage.
Warranty/ESP coverage limits/policies/prior approvals are not altered by a TSB. Warranty/ESP coverage limits are determined by the identified causal part and verified using the OASIS part coverage tool.

 

DEALER CODING

BASIC PART NO.	CONDITION CODE
4209	42