Need help diagnosing drivetrain noise

[PNBLWZD]

Only happens at low speed (10-20 mph) after 20-30 miles of freeway driving, quiet when cold. Chirping noise that changes with ground speed, but too fast to be tire speed. I’m thinking driveshaft speed related. U joint, driveshaft, input or output bearing on diff or transfer case? Dealer replaced transmission around 3500 miles and noise came back 800 miles later. Truck now has 5k miles, 2024 V6 automatic. Figured out how to duplicate and dealer heard it today. See video. Thoughts?

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[F-Spot]

There are several posts with people having similar noises. I believe in most, it ended up being related to the front or rear diff. In my case, it was my rear diff...I needed a complete rebuild. However, my noise wasn't really apparent until hitting 40mph. The pitch of the sound seemed to go up and down with rotational speed.

 

[PNBLWZD]

Thanks for the reply. I’ve heard bad diff noises, this is more of a chirp/squeak. Pitch remains the same even when speed frequency changes.

Sounds like the Jetsons hover car going down the road, I’m waiting for the theme song to Que up saying meet George Jetson lol

 

[F-Spot]

Thanks for the reply. I’ve heard bad diff noises, this is more of a chirp/squeak. Pitch remains the same even when speed frequency changes.

Sounds like the Jetsons hover car going down the road, I’m waiting for the theme song to Que up saying meet George Jetson lol

I hear the whirring sound that mine made. Check your tire wear...if it looks uneven, then it's more likely wheel bearings or one of the diffs.

 

[JL8jeff]

That sounds like the front driveshaft boot issue. I only get it after it warms up from longer drives. There was a TSB I think and dealers would replace the front shaft and many times the new shaft would do the same thing pretty quickly. I think it's related to the grease they use getting into the pleats of the boot. You can try to squeeze the boot back and forth to move the grease around and it helped mine for a while. Search on driveshaft boot noise and you'll find some of the other threads.

 

[camocustom]

Hello Bronco Brothers!

I come from Ranger6g forums with a 2025 Ranger XLT 4x4 2.3L. (6k miles) I had my truck in the shop for the same issue as described here, and so far, even though i pointed the dealer to the same place, it sits without a resolution. They ordered a new exhaust and explained it was the flex pipe causing the chirping. At least a few other Rangers are experiencing the same, mainly the newer 2024-25's. My dealer sucks, so I canceled the appointment to install an exhaust (because who wants their brand new truck torn apart for no reason) and have an appointment with a different dealer that was aware of the sounds and issues (even on the Broncos).

Now our issue is similar, however our front CV boot isnt anywhere near the exhaust (i read the heat shield fabs were helping)

 

[PNBLWZD]

Wanted to update and share the outcome on this noise in case anyone else gets it

I found an old thread on here from 2021-22 about drivetrain noise which matched mine exact, and concluded it’s the front driveshaft CV joint at the transfer case. Exhaust crossover pipe just below joint heats up the grease causing liquify, or possible dry joint. There is a TSB from this era and issue

Dealer had already ordered a transfer case and also replaced both driveshafts after I shared this info. Also installed a non ford heat shield per the old thread to prevent it from happening again, so far all quiet after testing the last couple days.

 

[camocustom]

Wanted to update and share the outcome on this noise in case anyone else gets it

I found an old thread on here from 2021-22 about drivetrain noise which matched mine exact, and concluded it’s the front driveshaft CV joint at the transfer case. Exhaust crossover pipe just below joint heats up the grease causing liquify, or possible dry joint. There is a TSB from this era and issue

Dealer had already ordered a transfer case and also replaced both driveshafts after I shared this info. Also installed a non ford heat shield per the old thread to prevent it from happening again, so far all quiet after testing the last couple days.

Thats great to hear, in my Ranger however, our exhaust is completely away from the CV joint. I am taking mine to a new dealer this week, I think its flat out under greased from factory, since not every Ranger has this issue.

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