EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THIS VAN THE REAR AXLE MAKES A GRINDING NOISE WHEN I ACCELERATE FROM A STOP. AFTER OWNING 9 VANS I GET USED TO THE POWERTRAIN NOISE INTRUSION IN A UNINSULATED VAN. SHORTLY AFTER I BOUGHT THE VAN I NOTICED A SLIGHT LEAK IN THE DIFFERENTIAL COVER AND WHEN I TOOK THE VAN TO THE DEALER THE FIRST TIME THEY REPLACED THE COVER GASKET. THE NOISE HAS ALWAYS BEEN THERE UNTIL THIS PAST COUPLE WEEKS. I NOTICED AN OIL SMELL COMING FROM THE REAR WHEELS AFTER I HAD THE BRAKES REPLACED IN MARCH. I FIGURED MECHANIC PUT TOO MUCH GREASE REASSEMBLING THE AXLE. WELLL ABOUT A WEEK AGO THE NOISE HAD BECOME PROGRESSIVELY LOUDER. NOW A SHUDDER COMES WITH VIBRATION FROM THE REAR END AND MY FUEL MILEAGE HAS DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY. I STOPPED AT A FRIENDS TRANSMISSION SHOP AND HE FOUND THE LEFT HUB COVERED WITH OIL, HE CHECKED THE DIFF AND THE FLUID WAS FULL BUT HAD GROUND UP METAL SLUDGE IN AND BITS OF GEAR IN IT. THIS AXLE DESIGN SUCKS ,FORD COULDN'T PUT A DANA 60 IN THIS VAN SAVE US A LOT OF GRIEF. NEW AXLE SOON.