2014 Fiesta ST Diff Bearings

[DanZac]

It's a long shot but has anyone got any knowledge or pointers for replacing the Differential bearings in a 2014 Fiesta ST?

As a bit of background it's always been noisy but now according to the Mrs its undriveable. It's noisy in every gear, worse under load, the noise stops with the clutch depressed or out of gear, which to me rules out most of the other gearbox bits, so I'm assuming it's most likely Diff related (unless anyone's got any other ideas).

I'm not over keen on pulling it apart (but at the same time I'm far to tight to cough up for someone else to do it). So before I get armpits deep into it, has anyone had a 6 speed fiesta gearbox box apart, or does anyone want to convince me to not even think about it and stop being tight and get someone else to do it?

Any pointers for confirming it is the Diff before I pull it apart, pointers, or other ideas greatfully received.

 

[bert]

Doesn't sound like it's the diff if the noise stops when you press the clutch down. If it's the diff it would whine all the time.

Sounds like a noisy clutch release bearing to me

 

[minimutly]

input shaft nose bearing, sometimes called the 1st motion shaft front bearing, changed loads, last one was my wifes MG6 - hateful job, crap mitubishi gearbox not up to the job.
defo not diff bearings...
At least Fraud will have the bearing in stock, probably £30, change the front seal too...

 

[DanZac]

Thanks for the input guys.

input shaft nose bearing, sometimes called the 1st motion shaft front bearing

I don't think it's the input shaft bearing as there's no noise when stationery with the clutch out? My understanding is that the input shaft would always be turning, thus always noisy until you dip the clutch to stop the shaft turning (I did an input bearing on my lads Civic last year and the symptoms are different to that).

Sounds like a noisy clutch release bearing to me

Wouldn't that only be noisy with the clutch depressed (including when stationary)?

I should probably have said in my original post that it's only noisy when moving (probably missed the most important point there).

 

[Neilj]

Is the noise road speed related or engine speed related? That will help pin down the likely cause

 

[DanZac]

Is the noise road speed related or engine speed related? That will help pin down the likely cause

It's present in every gear, and pretty much constant through the gear range, worse whilst the gearbox is loaded.

Doesn't sound like a wheel bearing which was my other possible thought, although I suppose it could be the drive shaft support bearing, but it sounds more whiney and gear related than I'd expect from that? Easy enough to check before I go any further though.

 

[bert]

Thanks for the input guys.


I don't think it's the input shaft bearing as there's no noise when stationery with the clutch out? My understanding is that the input shaft would always be turning, thus always noisy until you dip the clutch to stop the shaft turning (I did an input bearing on my lads Civic last year and the symptoms are different to that).


Wouldn't that only be noisy with the clutch depressed (including when stationary)?

I should probably have said in my original post that it's only noisy when moving (probably missed the most important point there).

No it goes quiet when you press the clutch pedal down as its not spinning

 

[Melvyn Best]

Personally I would replace all of the gearbox bearings, if one is worn the rest are likely to be

 

[minimutly]

Thanks for the input guys.


I don't think it's the input shaft bearing as there's no noise when stationery with the clutch out? My understanding is that the input shaft would always be turning, thus always noisy until you dip the clutch to stop the shaft turning (I did an input bearing on my lads Civic last year and the symptoms are different to that).


Wouldn't that only be noisy with the clutch depressed (including when stationary)?

I should probably have said in my original post that it's only noisy when moving (probably missed the most important point there).

Yes you caught me out. Agree it's not the input shaft bearing, or the one the other end - thing is the ford box is a three shaft box, it doesn't sound like the diff to me, so it could be on the secondary shaft. Pull the lot out and spin them all after washing, you'll find it soon enough.
Re the changing all bearings - there is something in this - on my wifes MG6 the diff bearings were showing signs of oil loaded with contaminants and should habe been changed. All the others were shielded. One downside to changing them all - cost, another - if the diffs are tapered roller you are going to spend some time adjusting the preload, not hard but you have to get it right.

 

[hillman]

http://sluggyjunx.com/auto/2014_Fiesta/Service%20Manual.htm

Have a look at this. I found it when I needed to fit an lsd into an ST gearbox.

 

[rcx132]

if the diffs are tapered roller you are going to spend some time adjusting the preload, not hard but you have to get it right.

The hard bit on my diffs was setting through pinion depth.

 

[rcx132]

Diffs are usually a specialist job. You have to worry about preload, pinion depth, tooth engagement checks, the torques require very large torque wrenches. It's doable if you're experienced.

Pinion depth used to be set by looking at tooth engagement. Nowadays it requires specialist diff specific tools.

 

[RWD3M]

It's a long shot but has anyone got any knowledge or pointers for replacing the Differential bearings in a 2014 Fiesta ST?

As a bit of background it's always been noisy but now according to the Mrs its undriveable. It's noisy in every gear, worse under load, the noise stops with the clutch depressed or out of gear, which to me rules out most of the other gearbox bits, so I'm assuming it's most likely Diff related (unless anyone's got any other ideas).

I'm not over keen on pulling it apart (but at the same time I'm far to tight to cough up for someone else to do it). So before I get armpits deep into it, has anyone had a 6 speed fiesta gearbox box apart, or does anyone want to convince me to not even think about it and stop being tight and get someone else to do it?

Any pointers for confirming it is the Diff before I pull it apart, pointers, or other ideas greatfully received.

If it is diff, or even gearbox, would it not be easier (and possibly cheaper) to just bung another gearbox in it?

I recently pulled the box on the wife's 2017 Fiesta (to replace the clutch) and despite it being a modern (ish) front wheel drive car (I hate FWD!) it was a surprisingly painless process. Not sure if it would be as straightforward on an ST though.

 

[DanZac]

Thanks for all the comments guys. Just to update. I'm just going to swap the gearbox to get it back on the road again (old ones out, I'm just waiting on delivery of the replacement).

The Gearbox came out surprisingly easily, I didn't even need to drop the subframe, which was nice.

A second hand, low mileage gearbox, is only a couple of £ more than a bearing set, and a lot less hassle.

I might pull the old one apart once I've got a bit more time and look at rebuilding it as a spare, but there's plenty of other stuff to fix first.

From what I've managed to find out, in this instance it looks like Diff bearing end float is just set via shims under the bearing seats.

There's lots of examples on the net of people pulling the diff on these to fit aftermarket LSD's without even changing the bearing seats, or adjusting any end float, so I guess they can't be that fussy (or that explains why the differential is a bit of a weak spot).

 

[RWD3M]

The Gearbox came out surprisingly easily, I didn't even need to drop the subframe, which was nice.

I take it you found the bolt hole for the lifting eye then?

Good luck with the swap, do let us know how it goes.

 

[rcx132]

There's lots of examples on the net of people pulling the diff on these to fit aftermarket LSD's without even changing the bearing seats, or adjusting any end float, so I guess they can't be that fussy (or that explains why the differential is a bit of a weak spot).

If they're just fitting an LSD then they don't need to set the pinion depth or preload as the LSD just affects the main diff. So the job is much easier.

 

[Brad93]

I once done my fiesta gearbox, swapped to racing puma one, got home from work about 6PM and drove it to work the next morning.
I think i finished bleeding clutch about 3AM.

Fairly simple job even on your own laying on the floor. A ramp would make it a breeze i suspect.

 

[DanZac]

Fairly simple job even on your own laying on the floor. A ramp would make it a breeze i suspect.

It's the old school way for me. On my back in the driveway.

Having the space to get it in the garage would be a luxury, never mind on a ramp.

 

[Brad93]

It's the old school way for me. On my back in the driveway.

Having the space to get it in the garage would be a luxury, never mind on a ramp.

Yep pretty similar here!!

 

[rcx132]

Just realised, if this is a front wheel drive car, do those have a diff pinion? Just dawned on me I've only worked on RWD diffs so my posts might not make sense.