It’s my understanding that there was a TSB on the newer 8.8 differentials, such as mine from an '01 (or '02, I can’t quite recall,) Explorer. 3.73’s, 31 spline, IRS unit.
The diff whines pretty good, and I’m told Ford tends to replace these if customers bring them in because they’re howling. However, my diff isn’t on an Explorer any more 
Can anyone still help me out with this if I bring it in? Or I am SOL?
The serial number/barcode sticker is still on it, by the way.
I do
shit outta luck if it ain’t in a ford tho lol
I’ll look it up right now
TSB
05-23-3 REAR AXLE NOISE REPAIR
Publication Date: November 4, 2005
FORD: 1997-2005 Expedition, F-150
2002-2005 Explorer
LINCOLN: 1998-2005 Navigator
2003-2005 Aviator
MERCURY: 2002-2005 Mountaineer
This article supersedes TSB 05-12-6 to update the Service Kit and Service Procedure information.
ISSUE:
Some vehicles may exhibit an axle whine or hum during acceleration, deceleration and/or cruise.
ACTION:
An axle repair kit has been developed which incorporates most parts required for a comprehensive axle repair. The kit should be used instead of installing a complete axle assembly to repair an axle whine/hum. Replace Ring and Pinion with Axle Kit and Components.
NOTE: REFER TO THE “DIFFERENTIAL RING AND PINION” IN-VEHICLE REPAIR PROCEDURE IN THE ONLINE WORKSHOP MANUAL SECTION 205-00, FOR THE LATEST AXLE DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR PROCEDURES.
NOTE: FOR 1999 AND PRIOR MODEL YEAR VEHICLES, USE THE 2000 MODEL YEAR WORKSHOP MANUAL.
NOTE: WHEN SERVICING THE REAR AXLE ON ANY 2002-2004 F-150, EXPEDITION, NAVIGATOR, EXPLORER OR MOUNTAINEER BUILT BEFORE 3/30/2004, IF FLUID REPLACEMENT IS REQUIRED, REPLACE THE ORIGINAL FUEL EFFICIENT HIGH PERFORMANCE (FEHP) SAE 75W-90 REAR AXLE LUBRICANT WITH SAE 75W-140 HIGH PERFORMANCE SYNTHETIC REAR AXLE LUBRICANT. WHEN THE FLUID TYPE IS CHANGED, REPLACE THE CURRENT “FEHP” METAL TAG WITH A NEW “75W-140” TAG (F3TZ-4121-AA). IN ADDITION, REMOVE OR BLOCK-OUT THE FEHP REFERENCE ON THE MULTI-COLORED LABEL LOCATED ON THE RIGHT SIDE AXLE TUBE. IF THE AXLE IS A LIMITED-SLIP MODEL, USE XL3 ADDITIVE FRICTION MODIFIER IN THE QUANTITY RECOMMENDED BY THE WORKSHOP MANUAL.
KIT ORDERING: REFER TO THE VEHICLE AXLE TAG FOR AXLE RATIO IDENTIFICATION
5L3Z-4209-A = (8.8-Inch Ring Gear/3.31 ratio) (1997-2005 F-150)
5L3Z-4209-B = (8.8-Inch Ring Gear/3.55 ratio) (1997-2005 F-150, 2002-2005 Explorer/Mountaineer/Aviator)
5L3Z-4209-C = (8.8-Inch Ring Gear/3.73 ratio) (1997-2005 F-150, 2002-2005 Explorer/Mountaineer/Aviator, 2003-2004 Expedition/Navigator)
5L3Z-4209-D = (9.75-Inch Ring Gear/3.31 ratio) (1997-2005 F-150, 2005 Expedition/Navigator, 1997-2002 Expedition/Navigator)
5L3Z-4209-E = (9.75-Inch Ring Gear/3.55 ratio) (1997-2005 F-150, 1997-2002 Expedition/Navigator)
5L3Z-4209-F = (9.75-Inch Ring Gear/3.73 ratio) (1997-2005 F-150, 1997-2005 Expedition/Navigator)
NOTE: 9.75 REAR AXLE HOUSINGS WERE REDESIGNED IN MID-1999, INCREASING FRONT PINION BEARING SIZE. REPLACING RING & PINIONS IN AN OLD-STYLE AXLE ASSEMBLY WILL REQUIRE INSTALLATION OF SPACER P/N YL3Z-4662-CA. SPACER IS TO BE INSTALLED BETWEEN INNER PINION BEARING AND COLLAPSIBLE SPACER.
THE AXLE SERVICE KITS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING COMPONENTS:
4630 - Head Bearing
4628 - Head Bearing Cup
4676 - Pinion Seal
386989-S2 - Washer (Slinger)
4621 - Tail Bearing
4616 - Tail Bearing Cup
4222 - Differential Bearing Cups
4221 - Differential Bearings
4209 - Gear Set (includes pinion shims, pinion nut and crush spacer)
4209 - Instruction Sheet
NOTE: THE KIT DOES NOT INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING ITEMS. SOME OR ALL OF THESE ITEMS WILL BE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE AXLE SERVICE, DEPENDING ON AXLE APPLICATION/STYLE.
ORDER AS NEEDED:
NOTE: REUSE OF RING GEAR BOLTS, CARRIER BEARING CAP BOLTS AND DIFFERENTIAL SLAVE PIN RETAINING BOLT REQUIRES CLEANING OF THREADS AND INSTALLATION OF TA-27 STUD AND BEARING MOUNT RETAINING COMPOUND & SEALANT.
YL3Z-4662-CA - Pinion Bearing Spacer for 1997-1998 9.75 axles
XG-14 - Gear Marking Compound
4067 - Differential Shims 0.241" to 0.307"
SAE XY-75W140-QL - High Performance Synthetic Rear Axle Lubricant
XL-3 - Additive Friction Modifier (Limited Slip Axles Only)
205-506 - Seal Protectors (Rotunda Tool)
W710084-S439 - Wheel End Nuts
390266-S100 - Differential Slave Pin Bolt (9.75" axles)
387426-S100 - Differential Slave Pin Bolt (8.8" axles)
4B422 - Axle Circlips
ZC-21 - Metal Surface Cleaner
TA-29 - Ultra Silicone Sealant
TA-27 - Stud and Bearing Mount Retaining Compound and Sealer
F3TZ-4121-AA - Fluid Tag (REQUIRED IF FLUID TYPE IS CHANGED FROM FEHP DURING REPAIR)
WARRANTY STATUS:
Eligible Under Provisions Of New Vehicle Limited Warranty Coverage
OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME
052303A 1997-2002 Expedition, 1998-2002 Navigator, 1997-2004 F-150 Heritage, 2004-2005 F-150: Rear Axle Noise Repair (Includes Time For Road Test To Verify Concern (Beam Axle)) (Do Not Use With 4205A Or 4205A4) 4.7 Hrs.
052303A 2003-2005 Expedition: Rear Axle Noise Repair (Includes Time For Road Test To Verify Concern (Irs Axle)) (Do Not Use With 4010D Or 4010D4) 5.8 Hrs.
052303A 2003-2005 Expedition/Navigator With Air Suspension: Rear Axle Noise Repair (Includes Time For Road Test To Verify Concern (Irs Axle)) (Do Not Use With 4010D Or 4010D4) 5.9 Hrs.
052303A 2002-2005 Explorer/Mountaineer, 2003-2005 Aviator: Rear Axle Noise Repair (Includes Time For Road Test To Verify Concern (Irs Axle)) (Do Not Use With 4010D Or 4010D4) 6.6 Hrs.
Can’t put in the good word for me? :bigthumb:
Yea, if anyone has the ability to do this, please let me know. It’s awfully annoying.
Jesse
you might be better off finding someone with and explorer and swapin… if that would even work since the vin wont match up to the rearend.