Tire Skip Noises after PTU/RDU Fluid Change

[Old Young Man]

It does sound similar to what you hear and feel when a friction modifier is not used in a posi traction axle.

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[CaliMav68]

Whatever it ends up being, it does not sound good. With your Mav being essentially barely broken in, the dirty oil, and that repeatable sound, I'd take action immediately. Sorry I couldn't give you any insight. The only thing I would try is to have someone drive your Mav while you're outside giving a listen.

One of my daughters thought she heard "loose change" when going over bumps in her Santa Fe. I listened outside and it came from the right rear wheel area. Turned out to be a very loose shock absorber bolt with washers. Not the same thing here, but it reminded that perspective matters.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

Hi all, owner of a '25 Hybrid Lariat (AWD). I decided to change the PTU, RDU, and oil this weekend after reading so many stories of the PTU being underfilled. As many others have reported, the PTU/RDU fluid were very dirty, had lots of metallic sheen in them, and plugs had a lot of gunk on them.

Since changing these, I've started to hear my rear tires sort of skip when backing into my garage or turning at very low speeds. The sound is like a low dull creak or someone spiking an over inflated ball (hence my assumption it’s the tire). It seems like just a noise of one rear tire spinning at a different rate than the other.

I have only had the truck for about 2000 miles, so I’m unsure if this is a new noise or if all of the AWD models do it. In the attached video you can hear it at the very beginning and then again around 30ish seconds.

It's New
It's under warranty
Take to the dealer. That's what the service department is there for. That's their job.

 

[Bliskerfmt24]

Hi all, owner of a '25 Hybrid Lariat (AWD). I decided to change the PTU, RDU, and oil this weekend after reading so many stories of the PTU being underfilled. As many others have reported, the PTU/RDU fluid were very dirty, had lots of metallic sheen in them, and plugs had a lot of gunk on them.

Since changing these, I've started to hear my rear tires sort of skip when backing into my garage or turning at very low speeds. The sound is like a low dull creak or someone spiking an over inflated ball (hence my assumption it’s the tire). It seems like just a noise of one rear tire spinning at a different rate than the other.

I have only had the truck for about 2000 miles, so I’m unsure if this is a new noise or if all of the AWD models do it. In the attached video you can hear it at the very beginning and then again around 30ish seconds.

Any updates on what it is? This also happened to me today, changed the RDU fluid and after a quick drive it started doing it :/ used the fluid that ford says to use and yea its impossible to overfill or underfill so im unsure, im 7k away from my powertrain warranty to expire.

 

[ppagan2012]

Hi all, owner of a '25 Hybrid Lariat (AWD). I decided to change the PTU, RDU, and oil this weekend after reading so many stories of the PTU being underfilled. As many others have reported, the PTU/RDU fluid were very dirty, had lots of metallic sheen in them, and plugs had a lot of gunk on them.

Since changing these, I've started to hear my rear tires sort of skip when backing into my garage or turning at very low speeds. The sound is like a low dull creak or someone spiking an over inflated ball (hence my assumption it’s the tire). It seems like just a noise of one rear tire spinning at a different rate than the other.

I have only had the truck for about 2000 miles, so I’m unsure if this is a new noise or if all of the AWD models do it. In the attached video you can hear it at the very beginning and then again around 30ish seconds.

My MAV22 AWD Lariat has 23,000 miles and started making that same noise. This is the second RDU—the first one was replaced at 15,000 miles—and it also had noise issues when turning.

 

[FHFR3Maverick]

Have you retorqued the lug bolts? The spec is rather high at 148 LbFt. I have heard this sound on other vehicles with under torqued lug bolts. It was the wheel slightly moving on the hub.

 

[KenE]

I don't know if this is your norm, but please stop treating me like an idiot. No, I don't think they're maliciously under filling units. But I also know that people and manufacturers are not perfect and it is absolutely possible for these problems to exist. If I don't get any helpful responses here, obviously I will take it to the dealer. In the meantime, I'm looking to hear from people who might have some insight or experience on this specific issue.

I have exact same Mav, 25 Lariet Hybrid, so we're comparing apples to apples. I changed my RDU & PTU fluids last Oct @ 4100 miles. Reason, same as you, multiple posts of one or both underfilled. My experience was neither was noticeably underfilled, PTU not much metallic particles, RDU a bit more. Fluid really didn't need changing, but I felt better knowing both were full & clean. I used Motorcraft recommended fluids. Lastly I never heard that noise you recorded before or after fluid change. If you can replicate w/o using brakes you'll eliminate brake sound. Also try having an observer on each side of rear wheels to observe & listen close up. Try to identify, somethings not right, use your warranty. Hope this helps.

I don't know if this is your norm, but please stop treating me like an idiot. No, I don't think they're maliciously under filling units. But I also know that people and manufacturers are not perfect and it is absolutely possible for these problems to exist. If I don't get any helpful responses here, obviously I will take it to the dealer. In the meantime, I'm looking to hear from people who might have some insight or experience on this specific issue.

I have same Mav, 25 Lariet Hybrid, so we're comparing apples-to-apples. I changed both PTU & RDU fluids at 4,100 miles, same reason, many posts of underfilling & lots of metallic material. My experience: neither RDU or PTU was underfilled much, and neither fluid contained significant metallic material, but I felt better knowing both were clean & properly filled with recommended Motorcraft fluid. Most importantly, I've never heard your recorded sound prior to or post fluid change while backing slowly. Currently have 12k on ODO. I'd try to replicate w/o brake application if possible. An observer on each side of rear wheels would also be great to help diagnose. Bottom line: You likely did nothing wrong, something is apparently wrong, utilize your warranty. Hope this helps.

 

[Bliskerfmt24]

I have exact same Mav, 25 Lariet Hybrid, so we're comparing apples to apples. I changed my RDU & PTU fluids last Oct @ 4100 miles. Reason, same as you, multiple posts of one or both underfilled. My experience was neither was noticeably underfilled, PTU not much metallic particles, RDU a bit more. Fluid really didn't need changing, but I felt better knowing both were full & clean. I used Motorcraft recommended fluids. Lastly I never heard that noise you recorded before or after fluid change. If you can replicate w/o using brakes you'll eliminate brake sound. Also try having an observer on each side of rear wheels to observe & listen close up. Try to identify, somethings not right, use your warranty. Hope this helps.

I have same Mav, 25 Lariet Hybrid, so we're comparing apples-to-apples. I changed both PTU & RDU fluids at 4,100 miles, same reason, many posts of underfilling & lots of metallic material. My experience: neither RDU or PTU was underfilled much, and neither fluid contained significant metallic material, but I felt better knowing both were clean & properly filled with recommended Motorcraft fluid. Most importantly, I've never heard your recorded sound prior to or post fluid change while backing slowly. Currently have 12k on ODO. I'd try to replicate w/o brake application if possible. An observer on each side of rear wheels would also be great to help diagnose. Bottom line: You likely did nothing wrong, something is apparently wrong, utilize your warranty. Hope this helps.

Just got my maverick yesterday after I took it 3 weeks ago to check this issue, they replaced the whole differential and both axles, oil level was good on it, a lot of metal swirls tho

 

[Bliskerfmt24]

Just got my maverick yesterday after I took it 3 weeks ago to check this issue, they replaced the whole differential and both axles, oil level was good on it, a lot of metal swirls tho

Forgot to mention, Warranty did cover the whole repair which came out to 3.7k

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

Yes, foot is on the brake. This is basically only happening when at ultra-low speed when doing things like pulling into/out of parking spots, the garage, or driveway. But it's definitely coming from the rear, so brake noise seems unlikely. It definitely sounds more like when the tires hit a bump.

Feels unlikely that I swapped the two fluids, but I'm not going to say it's impossible. No idea how to double check that at this point aside from redoing it with the correct stuff. Thanks for the ideas.

Any updates??

 

[Bliskerfmt24]

Any updates??

not gonna lie, I've also been wondering if he got his issue fixed or what ended up happening LOL

 

[Finnster]

Forgot to mention, Warranty did cover the whole repair which came out to 3.7k

How many miles are on the vehicle?
Thanks,

 

[Bliskerfmt24]

How many miles are on the vehicle?
Thanks,

it has 53k miles!

 

[mwelby]

Yes, foot is on the brake. This is basically only happening when at ultra-low speed when doing things like pulling into/out of parking spots, the garage, or driveway. But it's definitely coming from the rear, so brake noise seems unlikely. It definitely sounds more like when the tires hit a bump.

Feels unlikely that I swapped the two fluids, but I'm not going to say it's impossible. No idea how to double check that at this point aside from redoing it with the correct stuff. Thanks for the ideas.

Yes, that was my first thought too is maybe the fluids got reversed. For some reason they’re different.

 

[mwelby]

Have you retorqued the lug bolts? The spec is rather high at 148 LbFt. I have heard this sound on other vehicles with under torqued lug bolts. It was the wheel slightly moving on the hub.

Good point and funny you mentioned that as I just retorqued all of mine and they were all slightly under spec.

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