Rear diffs the same?

[Billy VK]

Ok so I am tired of the vibration in the car and I have narrowed it down to the rear diff or the driveshaft. When I search LKQ Parts for the rear diff, they say the Explorer and SHO rear diff are interchangeable. So does anyone know for certain if the same rear was used in both? Thanks in advance.

 

[SHOCALL]

Ok so I am tired of the vibration in the car and I have narrowed it down to the rear diff or the driveshaft. When I search LKQ Parts for the rear diff, they say the Explorer and SHO rear diff are interchangeable. So does anyone know for certain if the same rear was used in both? Thanks in advance.

May I please ask what kind of vibration are you experiencing? I am noticing something like a vibration at around 70mph.

 

[Billy VK]

May I please ask what kind of vibration are you experiencing? I am noticing something like a vibration at around 70mph.

Yup. Starts around 68 and is bad enough that after cruising for a while, I have actually pulled over to check for loose wheels. So, no vibration in the steering wheel or pedals. I feel it in the seat. You can see it in a bottle of water sitting in the cup holder. Drives me nuts.

 

[SHOCALL]

Yup. Starts around 68 and is bad enough that after cruising for a while, I have actually pulled over to check for loose wheels. So, no vibration in the steering wheel or pedals. I feel it in the seat. You can see it in a bottle of water sitting in the cup holder. Drives me nuts.

Interesting. I can hear the change rattle in my console at around 70. My Continentals have around 32k miles. My first thought is that the vibration may be caused my tires. I have rotated the tires every 5k.

 

[Billy VK]

Interesting. I can hear the change rattle in my console at around 70. My Continentals have around 32k miles. My first thought is that the vibration may be caused my tires. I have rotated the tires every 5k.

New tires on mine and even road force balanced. Issue has been there since I bought the car two years ago. Fresh alignment as well. Still there.

 

[krewat]

Have you made sure the PTU is in good condition?

 

[Billy VK]

Have you made sure the PTU is in good condition?

Yeah, PTU is all good. Another member posted about having no rear wheel drive in the snow. He pulled his apart and showed a pic of the inside of it. Great was missing some teeth. Coincidentally, I tried launching across the snow filled lot at work and had the same issue. He said he then replaced the rear diff and not only was his awd issue fixed, but the shake was gone in his too.

 

[luigisho]

Have you done a fluid change on this unit? Here's some funky rdu fluid change. If you are still under some type of warranty then pass it to the dealer. If you have to foot the bill for a replacement unit I would look at fluid change first.
https://www.ecoboostperformanceforum.com/index.php?topic=1708.0

 

[Kevin81]

Vibration in the wheel at speed is front alignment and balance, in the butt is rear alignment and balance.

Typically.

 

[Billy VK]

Have you done a fluid change on this unit? Here's some funky rdu fluid change. If you are still under some type of warranty then pass it to the dealer. If you have to foot the bill for a replacement unit I would look at fluid change first.
https://www.ecoboostperformanceforum.com/index.php?topic=1708.0

yeah, fluid has been changed. A replacement unit is only 95 bucks or so through LKQ.

 

[Billy VK]

Vibration in the wheel at speed is front alignment and balance, in the butt is rear alignment and balance.

Typically.

unfortunately this situation is atypical. Full alignment done multiple times to search for issues and the car always comes back in spec.