Some drivetrain noises, not sure if normal

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ScottyDsntKnow

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I recently picked up an 03 Eddie Bauer and I'm curious about a few sounds I hear from it. I know this is not a car and things will be louder so if these noises are normal then I can live with them just fine. Truck only has 78k miles and as far as actual running/driving it is totally fine. Motor pulls hard without any misses, trans shifts extremely smooth.

Anyway, issues are:

1 - There is a somewhat high pitched hum when I hit 25mph or so that increases with pitch until I hit 65-70 and then gets quieter. I've read the TSB about replacing the whole rear axle but I'm thinking that it might just need new fluid in the rear housing which I am going to do anyway with the updated spec from the TSB if it hasn't been done already. It does not sound like torque converter whine although factory service records only show the trans pan being drained/filled since the bill is only 6 qts. So I will also be doing a full drain/fill on the converter/transmission with Mercon V. Or it might just be a wheel bearing but from my experience that sound isn't a constant noise like this is. Tires are all brand new and they also make their own different normal road noise so I know it isn't tires.

2 - There is a very slight but noticible... I guess rumbling sound when I am going a constant 25mph through a town or wherever. Only when I tap the gas to keep it at 25, goes away when I let off. Seems to get slightly worse on corners. CV joint or power steering maybe but I don't know why the PS pump would only make that noise at 25mph... Maybe this has something to do with the same rear axle TSB as before?

Any help is appreciated and I'm really thinking it is just because these 03/04 years especially had the older 5.4L and what basically amounts to a tricked out AODE (4R70W) that there will just be drivetrain nose that I have to live with. Probably a good excuse to get full exhaust to drown out the noise lol.
 

markanthony

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Mine has a tranny whine.
I would change all the fluids. Flush the tranny and t case.

Some autos have a a whine to them. I have only seen one auto tranny that did not whine, was on an old shelby gt mustang.
 
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ScottyDsntKnow

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The whine I am not too concerned about, its the #2 issue that I am more worried about. Thinking U-joints and since they look like they've never been changed I'm going to do it regardless. Already tried the wheel bearings and no-go. Didn't think it was them anyway due to the noise being RPM dependent but I do all my own work so it isn't going to cost very much compared to what it would if someone else did it. Dealer quoted me almost $500 to do one hub assy (wheel bearing) rofl. I did it myself in an hour for $150... U joints are $8 for each from Rockauto although both drive shafts are pretty corroded... I might just get 2 new assemblies and just do the whole thing.
 
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