Rear Differential Unit (RDU) Replacement

[V8 Yankee]

Good morning all, after one year of progressively louder shuddering I am getting my RDU replaced. It's covered under the 5/60 Powertrain Warranty. For those who are noticing a low speed (1st or 2nd gear) shuddering when turning sharply I suggest you get your BS in for a inspection before the powertrain warranty expires. The shuddering is not noticeable while driving in a straight line. With the Ford Tech in the passenger seat you can duplicate the shuddering so the tech can hear and feel the shuddering. It never fails that if you do not accompany the tech he or she will not be able to duplucate it which will just prolong the problem, maybe past warranty expiration. RDU replacement is not cheap. Mine is scheduled for replacement on 11 March, I'll update once I get my BS back with the final cost which is fortunately 100% covered. Ford has a upgraded RDU Vent Hose which will also be installed. Make sure that is part of the RDU replacement. There might be a charge for the part only, less than $20. More to follow after I get the work done.

Sponsored

 

[V8 Yankee]

Received my Bronco back this week after 16 days in the shop. On top of the RDU being replaced the tech replaced a rear axle as well. With all the extra nuts, bolts, clamps, hangers, oil, etc, etc the total was nearly $4000. One hundred percent covered by the Power Train Warranty. That includes the rental, a Ford Edge for 16 days. I had to press for rental coverage so if you need a rental and the dealer says its not covered keep squeezing them. I called Ford directly and got confirmation from them a rental is covered. I never spoke with the mechanic to get his take on the RDU failure. He did mention that the oil looked good at the initial inspection so its a mystery why it failed. If I had known what I know now I would have changed the RDU oil at 10K and every 30K after that. Same with the PTU oil. I am doing a transmission drain and refill at my next 40K oil change. No need for a flush in my opinion as that might create a another set of problems. At least now I can enjoy my ride again. Compared to the Edge I think the BS is a lot better ride, especially the Outer Banks version that I have. Good luck all.

 

[johnardsg]

Good morning all, after one year of progressively louder shuddering I am getting my RDU replaced. It's covered under the 5/60 Powertrain Warranty. For those who are noticing a low speed (1st or 2nd gear) shuddering when turning sharply I suggest you get your BS in for a inspection before the powertrain warranty expires. The shuddering is not noticeable while driving in a straight line. With the Ford Tech in the passenger seat you can duplicate the shuddering so the tech can hear and feel the shuddering. It never fails that if you do not accompany the tech he or she will not be able to duplucate it which will just prolong the problem, maybe past warranty expiration. RDU replacement is not cheap. Mine is scheduled for replacement on 11 March, I'll update once I get my BS back with the final cost which is fortunately 100% covered. Ford has a upgraded RDU Vent Hose which will also be installed. Make sure that is part of the RDU replacement. There might be a charge for the part only, less than $20. More to follow after I get the work done.

Interesting...I had shuddering when turning at low speed (especially from parked position then turning) but what was replaced for mine was the 4WD module (electronic part). I'm over the 36k warranty limit so had to pay ~900$ for it. And the shuddering went away immediately with this new part replacement.

 

[V8 Yankee]

Interesting, seems it should have been covered under the 5/60 Powertrain Warranty. In my case everything was covered 100%, even the rental.

 

[Texasjlh]

Interesting, seems it should have been covered under the 5/60 Powertrain Warranty. In my case everything was covered 100%, even the rental.

Wondering how your bronco is doing after the repair? Mine is at the repair shop right now.

 

[V8 Yankee]

So far good, no issue's. I will replace the oil in the RDU at my next oil change to maximize the life of it. The filler and drain plugs are very accessable so really no reason not to service it regulary. Good luck on yours.

 

[nicmck1055]

Interesting...I had shuddering when turning at low speed (especially from parked position then turning) but what was replaced for mine was the 4WD module (electronic part). I'm over the 36k warranty limit so had to pay ~900$ for it. And the shuddering went away immediately with this new part replacement.

When you say shuddering is it a noticeable shuddering like you can feel it in the steering wheel? Or like a slight noise when you turn from the park position? Mine has a slight noise in the rear and I can kind of feel when I leave from it being parked for a long time and only when I turn right.

 

[johnardsg]

When you say shuddering is it a noticeable shuddering like you can feel it in the steering wheel? Or like a slight noise when you turn from the park position? Mine has a slight noise in the rear and I can kind of feel when I leave from it being parked for a long time and only when I turn right.

So mine is broken again and I'm getting it checked next week. I can replicate it on any sharp turn like going out from a parking lot or getting in to a carwash. Then it feels like when you suddenly released the clutch on a manual car from neutral to first gear and then it gasps for air. You can hear the gears engaging disengaging sounds.

I'm having them check the transmission, rdu etc since I'm almost 60k miles. Don't want to pay for some faulty part.

 

[nicmck1055]

So mine is broken again and I'm getting it checked next week. I can replicate it on any sharp turn like going out from a parking lot or getting in to a carwash. Then it feels like when you suddenly released the clutch on a manual car from neutral to first gear and then it gasps for air. You can hear the gears engaging disengaging sounds.

I'm having them check the transmission, rdu etc since I'm almost 60k miles. Don't want to pay for some faulty part.

Ohh ok it’s so frustrating having a newer car and having problems with it

 

[johnardsg]

Just got my bronco back and RDU is now replaced. I don't hear any noise anymore and all were under warranty

 

[ejgreco44]

Just had my RDU Vent replaced, they tried to tell me it wasn't covered on my warranty which I contacted the General Manager and got it fixed for free. Also had my front half shaft replaced on top of it...2022 Bronco Sport 65k Miles

 

[Dude]

Just had my RDU Vent replaced, they tried to tell me it wasn't covered on my warranty which I contacted the General Manager and got it fixed for free. Also had my front half shaft replaced on top of it...2022 Bronco Sport 65k Miles

Which warranty was used? Is it the Ford ESP? Or some other warranty?

 

[ejgreco44]

AAGI

 

[Dude]

AAGI

Thanks, is good to know American Auto Guardian, Inc. (AAGI) covers the RDU Vent host and the front half shaft.

 

[Slingy]

Just had my RDU Vent replaced, they tried to tell me it wasn't covered on my warranty which I contacted the General Manager and got it fixed for free. Also had my front half shaft replaced on top of it...2022 Bronco Sport 65k Miles

I'm currently getting the same thing done on my 2021 BSBL. Let us know how it goes for you. They're doing the vent hose and said if that doesn't fix it then it'll be a new RDU. Luckily I'm at 35k so the DTW should cover it unless they pull a fast one on me.

Sponsored