New Rear Axle Assembly/ Rear Differential -- [SSM 49571 : Chatter/Shudder During Low Speed Turning Events]

[Dude]

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[Juan Rodriguez]

Hey, Paul. I would like to look into this concern you're experiencing with your Bronco. Please send over a private message with your VIN and the name/location of your local Ford dealer.

Having the same issue with a ‘21 Outer Banks 43k kms.

 

[joekoz]

I was experiencing that chatter/ shudder during sharp turns from a stop, especially to the right. I thought it sounded like the rear diff due to it coming from the rear and only really happening on very sharp turns where one wheel spins but the other doesn't. Brought it to the dealer and basically said I believe it is related to this TSB:

SSM 49571 - 2019-2021 Edge/Nautilus, 2020-2021 Escape/Corsair, 2021 Bronco Sport - AWD - Chatter/Shudder During Low Speed Turning Events Some 2019-2021 Edge/Nautilus, 2020-2021 Escape/Corsair, 2021 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with all wheel drive (AWD) may exhibit chatter/shudder during low speed turning events due to fluid contamination. Drain and refill the rear drive unit (RDU), refer to Workshop Manual Section (WSM) 205-02. Drive for 8 km (5 miles) in stop and go conditions with right and left turns and re-evaluate. If the issue is still present, continue with WSM diagnostics. For claiming, use base (4000) causal part.

Was able to take a technician on a ride and he acknowledged the sound and said it sounded like it was coming from the rear. They changed the fluid which did not fix the problem and ordered a new rear axle assembly which includes a new rear differential. Was able to take the car home that day and took it back a week later for the replacement rear. It appears that this fixed the issue as I don't hear the shudder anymore.. for now.. I figured I would post my experience as this seems to be a common issue I have been seeing with mixed diagnosis and solutions.

Hi
2021 FE, 2.0l.
Same prob, except mine was turning left. Initial repair under TSB 24-2185. No Joy, so they replaced rear end. 51k, so under warranty 2 wks.

 

[wiyeti]

Those who've had this issue, what does the sound sound like? I have a real deep whomp sound lately when slow turning right. I hate trying to describe sounds, lol. To me it sounds like when you go over a bump high speed and the rear cargo space cover flips up and down, but I know it's not that during slow turns. Thanks all, interesting reading.

 

[Cursed Bronco]

Hey, Paul. I would like to look into this concern you're experiencing with your Bronco. Please send over a private message with your VIN and the name/location of your local Ford dealer.

To be honest, you guys should be more focused on sending the parts to your dealers. I have read dozens of posts of people who are waiting on parts to fix the differential chatter. How are you going to help at all if no dealerships can actually get the necessary parts?

I have been waiting over 2 months because the updated drain hose in on back order. My specific dealer told me they have 3 others with the same issue. The facebook group is full of complaints about the RDU as well. Instead of stocking up on a drain hose that costs you likely less than $5 each, you will now be paying upwards of $4,000 for each RDU to be replaced because we have to continue driving it until Ford decides to get their head out of their a**. This is millions and millions of dollars in increased warranty costs on the part of Ford.

 

[Cursed Bronco]

Those who've had this issue, what does the sound sound like? I have a real deep whomp sound lately when slow turning right. I hate trying to describe sounds, lol. To me it sounds like when you go over a bump high speed and the rear cargo space cover flips up and down, but I know it's not that during slow turns. Thanks all, interesting reading.

Yes its a low pitch slow vibration type sound. Its rhythmic with the tire like a "wub wub wub" sound

 

[wiyeti]

"wub wub wub"

Thanks! That is better and like what I hear. You are good at this game!

 

[HUSBANDOFBS]

Also, you should feel some "crab walking" like a straight axle 4x4 with rear locker engaged, once the RDU is really shot.

 

[Dude]

To be honest, you guys should be more focused on sending the parts to your dealers. I have read dozens of posts of people who are waiting on parts to fix the differential chatter. How are you going to help at all if no dealerships can actually get the necessary parts?

I have been waiting over 2 months because the updated drain hose in on back order. My specific dealer told me they have 3 others with the same issue. The facebook group is full of complaints about the RDU as well. Instead of stocking up on a drain hose that costs you likely less than $5 each, you will now be paying upwards of $4,000 for each RDU to be replaced because we have to continue driving it until Ford decides to get their head out of their a**. This is millions and millions of dollars in increased warranty costs on the part of Ford.

@Ford Motor Company .. see above

 

[redbucky2022]

I made a write up about this a few weeks ago. I had mine serviced at 20k. started chattering at 37k miles. Dealer was on a 4 to 6 week wait so I walked into the parts department, bought the proper RDU fluid and a bottle of Motorcraft XL3 friction modifier. Mixed the friction modifier into the quart of RDU fluid and drained and filled my unit. Mine chattered and the fluid was crystal clear with no contamination. Added the new fluid concoction and the chatter went away immediately. AWD engagement is fantastic, and smooth as can be.

I'm covered until 75k miles but I got sick of driving over an hour away to get into a dealer with a piss poor attitude and wasn't going to make a payment on something collecting dust in the service department lot. $65.00 bucks and 20 mins of my time to save weeks worth of headaches was worth it to me.

 

[Gnomad]

To be honest, you guys should be more focused on sending the parts to your dealers. I have read dozens of posts of people who are waiting on parts to fix the differential chatter. How are you going to help at all if no dealerships can actually get the necessary parts?

I have been waiting over 2 months because the updated drain hose in on back order. My specific dealer told me they have 3 others with the same issue. The facebook group is full of complaints about the RDU as well. Instead of stocking up on a drain hose that costs you likely less than $5 each, you will now be paying upwards of $4,000 for each RDU to be replaced because we have to continue driving it until Ford decides to get their head out of their a**. This is millions and millions of dollars in increased warranty costs on the part of Ford.

If you have ever taken your BS off road or live on a dirt road, you should be changing out that RDU oil now, and then maybe even with every oil change until Ford bothers to get the parts to the dealer.
Seriously should be a recall item.
Ford isn't the first company to do this kind of screwup but if you aren't tuned in to this forum you won't know until it's too late. Get that contaminated oil out, do the friction additive and if you catch it before it grinds the bearings and gears you might be OK.
It's not a death sentence but you will have to take action on this yourself as Ford is absolutely not.

 

[redbucky2022]

If you have ever taken your BS off road or live on a dirt road, you should be changing out that RDU oil now, and then maybe even with every oil change until Ford bothers to get the parts to the dealer.
Seriously should be a recall item.
Ford isn't the first company to do this kind of screwup but if you aren't tuned in to this forum you won't know until it's too late. Get that contaminated oil out, do the friction additive and if you catch it before it grinds the bearings and gears you might be OK.
It's not a death sentence but you will have to take action on this yourself as Ford is absolutely not.

Im curious to to see what the upgrade is when they do these replacements. If it’s the same RDU and the same fluid it’s going to be a repeat problem. I change the fluids in everything I own from bumper to bumper every 20k unless there is som extenuating circumstance that calls for it prior. The dealer thought I was batshit crazy when I asked for everything to be drained and filled at 20k.

 

[Gnomad]

Im curious to to see what the upgrade is when they do these replacements. If it’s the same RDU and the same fluid it’s going to be a repeat problem. I change the fluids in everything I own from bumper to bumper every 20k unless there is som extenuating circumstance that calls for it prior. The dealer thought I was batshit crazy when I asked for everything to be drained and filled at 20k.

It's not so much the RDU and fluid as the vent letting gunk in. By proactively changing your RDU and other fliuds you've very likely saved your RDU and even after you get the updated vent tube that regimen should keep it happy.

 

[redbucky2022]

It's not so much the RDU and fluid as the vent letting gunk in. By proactively changing your RDU and other fliuds you've very likely saved your RDU and even after you get the updated vent tube that regimen should keep it happy.

Is that all the upgraded vent is? I was considering extending mine to a higher location when I was in TN crossing creeks. Only thing that leads me to believe the fluid is an issue was my situation. Had it changed at the dealer in an attempt to be proactive and eliminate any break in material that may be floating around. Got it back and within 3 days it was groaning around corners. Sent it back and was told "something was wrong with the fluid. we changed it and now its good". When I changed it again at 38k and added the friction modifier, the fluid coming out was spotless and there wasn't an ounce of contamination.

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