The Ford Barn

Ricosan · 02-25-2022, 10:40 AM

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

solidaxle · 02-25-2022, 10:49 AM

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

solidaxle · 02-25-2022, 10:53 AM

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.

Bob C · 02-25-2022, 10:58 AM

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

solidaxle · 02-25-2022, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob C

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

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.

Ford46 · 02-25-2022, 11:13 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

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.

Ken/Alabama · 02-25-2022, 12:00 PM

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

Terry,OH · 02-25-2022, 12:14 PM

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

Ricosan · 02-25-2022, 01:09 PM

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

solidaxle · 02-25-2022, 02:48 PM

Could be worst. You could be this guy.

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

1931 flamingo · 02-25-2022, 03:05 PM

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

deuce_roadster · 02-25-2022, 04:55 PM

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.

jimTN · 02-26-2022, 04:30 PM

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.

glennpm · 02-26-2022, 05:34 PM

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.

02-25-2022, 10:40 AM	#1
Ricosan Senior Member Join Date: May 2018 Location: Tallahassee Posts: 375	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

02-25-2022, 10:49 AM	#2
solidaxle Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: upstate NY Posts: 517	Re: Columbia question. It must be Columbia day. Is there oil in the rear?

02-25-2022, 10:53 AM	#3
solidaxle Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: upstate NY Posts: 517	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.

02-25-2022, 11:13 AM	#6
Ford46 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southeastern, MA Posts: 441	Re: Columbia question. Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) 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.

02-25-2022, 12:00 PM	#7
Ken/Alabama Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 3,395	Re: Columbia question. My bet is the U-Joint. Either bad or one of the junk reproductions.

02-25-2022, 12:14 PM	#8
Terry,OH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 5,187	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

02-25-2022, 01:09 PM	#9
Ricosan Senior Member Join Date: May 2018 Location: Tallahassee Posts: 375	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

02-25-2022, 02:48 PM	#10
solidaxle Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: upstate NY Posts: 517	Re: Columbia question. Could be worst. You could be this guy. https://youtu.be/_fLviLo5vA8?t=1

02-25-2022, 03:05 PM	#11
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,428	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

02-25-2022, 04:55 PM	#12
deuce_roadster Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Shelton, WA Posts: 3,971	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.

02-26-2022, 04:30 PM	#13
jimTN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Powell, TN Posts: 2,617	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.

02-26-2022, 05:34 PM	#14
glennpm Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Mid-Coast Maine Posts: 2,815	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.