Columbia question.
 

Hey Guys,

I took my car to the shop (tow truck) because it has a distressing noise coming from the driveline. The noise increases in tempo and volume as I increase speed.
It’s behind the transmission as I can put it in neutral, let out the clutch and coast. The noise then reduces in volume and intensity as the car slows. The sound is a “bonk, bonk, bonk…….” .

I just took delivery of this car and it’s my first Columbia. The car is just off a full restoration and the Columbia was rebuilt at that time. I’ve driven the car less than 5 miles since I got it and never engaged the lever on the dash because of the noise. The engagement lever looks like it is not completely pointing to the left. So I was wondering if it’s possible that this situation (overdrive only partially engaged) could result in the noise I’ve described above.

Richard Duvall

Re: Columbia question.
 

It must be Columbia day.
Is there oil in the rear?

Re: Columbia question.
 

After checking the oil .I would "safely" jack it up off the ground and try it. Operating without a load would do less damage if there's something wrong.

Re: Columbia question.
 

Some of the newer replacement u-joints have a different shape than the originals and can contact the inner u-joint housing.

Re: Columbia question.
 

Good point, could be the bolt and washer is missing too. It is a fresh resto so there could be many things to go wrong.

Re: Columbia question.
 

Solidaxle brings up a excellent point. A fresh resto with minimum miles hasn't been sorted out yet and you may find many small issues as times goes on. Not that the resto wasn't properly done. I went through the same thing.

Look up in the Columbia Operating Manual how to check proper operation of the Columbia Axle. It provides a step by step testing guide of the axle and the speedochanger.

Re: Columbia question.
 

My bet is the U-Joint. Either bad or one of the junk reproductions.

Re: Columbia question.
 

Get the rear jacked up and look at the suggestions above and also the coupling for the drive shaft to the rear pinion. The coupling has pins to hold it in place and one may be working out and hitting the torque tube. You can drain the Columbia and look for metal pieces, I don't think you will find any. Make sure the differential is filled before putting the car on the ground, using the proper filler plug and run it in high for 5 Min. after first refill and check level again use 140W. EP

Re: Columbia question.
 

Solidaxle no I haven’t checked the oil. My mechanic is taking out the torque tube /rear end so that he can take the transmission out. I’ll have them double check the oil in the Columbia.
Bob, that’s what my mechanic thinks too. Universal.
Ford46, thanks, I’ll look for one online. Yea, it has a bit to sort out.
Ken, I hope it is the universal. That would be the least dollars!
Terry, if it turns out not to be the universal joints, the Columbia and rear end will be the next target.
Richard

Re: Columbia question.
 

Could be worst. You could be this guy.


https://youtu.be/_fLviLo5vA8?t=1

Re: Columbia question.
 

If he "drops" the rear end, the U-joint is acessable WITHOUT removing the transmission. Lot less work IMO.
Paul in CT

Re: Columbia question.
 

There are VERY SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS on how to fill the Columbia with oil. I know of at least 2 that had been rebuilt and the filling instructions were not followed, and the units burned up after not a whole lot of miles. Make sure you have a copy of the Columbia instructions and make sure if you are not filling the unit, the person working on it for you folooows them. As stated above it involves running it a specific period of time in a specific gear. (I personally do this on level jack stands so I can quickly get under the rear and add to the oil after the initial fill). This fills the cavity inside of the Columbia where the spider gears and sun gear are and it drains back into the banjo after sitting a few minutes. Note that the Columbia has its own fill plug and you use this not the Ford fill plug. Good luck finding the noise, I hope it is simple.

Re: Columbia question.
 

Does not sound like the rear end is bad, more driveline. Yes lots of things will have to be tweaked such as proper lube for everything. Also could be a missing drive shaft bearing in the torque tube letting the drive shaft flop.

Re: Columbia question.
 

LUBRICATION INSTRUCTIONS – IMPORTANT


With rear wheels off of floor fill rear axle through filler hole in Two-Speed Axle housing with 4½ Pints of standard Ford rear axle lubricant. (DO NOT USE CUP GREASE ) Start motor, shift transmission into high, and Two-Speed Axle control valve in high, depress clutch pedal to floor board, which completes shift in rear axle. Allow clutch pedal to return and run five minutes in this position. This is for the purpose of circulating oil through the entire Two-Speed Axle Unit. Next remove jack and with wheels on floor, BE SURE to refill axle to new oil level plug.