O.T.-- Noisy rear axles on Ford Rangers

Frank (N.Mi.) · Nov 23, 2008

Ok, for the second time in about six months I find a truck that I would like to buy, and everything checks out good... Until I drive it. This truck (a Ranger 2000 4wd) howls from the back at highway speed. What the heck!! Was this a common thing with these trucks? Around a 100K miles on it. Same as the last one and it sounds just the same. How much luck does one have in fixing it? Does a repair or rebuild last? How much $$? Anybody know??

Brian Jasper co. Ia · Nov 23, 2008

When the Explorer switched to independent rear suspension, they were very troublesome. There really isn't much to a rear axle. I had a 98 2wd that made some noise at hwy speeds. It had way too much backlash between the ring and pinion. I could never get them to fix it. The biggest concern was it clunked from pulling to coasting. The truck had 180K on it when my ex took it. You could slip under it and get a fluid sample right after driving it. If there are lots of little sparkles in it, it probably has a bearing going bad. Also check the backlash. If it can be turned 1/4 turn something is loose probably the pinion set too shallow. That doesn't do damage, just makes noise due to incorrect tooth contact pattern.

RobMD · Nov 23, 2008

I have a ranger with a 7.5 Mazda axle I think. It whined at 37,000 miles, so I had new timken bearings put in it. The ring gear wasn't set up right either. So far, at 99,000 miles, no whine.

I believe the ranger 4x4s had the same ford explorer 8.8 axle. Bit heavier, but still, they eventually whine.

Timken bearings and a precise ring setup worked for me. Cost? 600. oh well.

S.Crum · Nov 23, 2008

I had the same problem with my F-150 when I bought it. It had 178,000 miles on it. I got it real reasonable because I think the Ford garage told the guy I bought it from that the rear end was going out of it. I could thunk the driveshaft up and down, so I took the drive yoke off and the splines were good so I put in a new seal and drew the nut down with loctite on it to 10 foot pounds tighter than spec. Then I put Lucas lube in the box and it has been quiet since then. Now at 212,000 miles.

Anonymous-0 · Nov 23, 2008

I have a 2000 4.0L 4x4 ext cab non-traction lok with over 112000 miles and have never had a howl, maybe I should keep my fingers crossed? I've had older Rangers that had over 200K 4x4 and never had a howl. Reckon you get more moisture in there up north because of the snow?

Harvesterguy · Nov 23, 2008

I have a "96 3.0 Ranger with 265,000 miles. The rear end started whining about 40,000 ago. I plan to run it until it goes out.

RodinNS · Nov 23, 2008

I dunno... mine has about 200 on it now and it's had a bit of a whine since quite a while. It's got some slop in it too.
Probably just run it until it blows...

Rod

Mike M · Nov 24, 2008

Dodge trucks,Jeeps,and even Chevy Trucks are all having troubles with the diff. carrier side bearings. I think they all bought a bunch of bad bearings. You might call Ford dealer parts dept. and see if Rangers have this problem too. Maybe price the bearings and see how many dealers have them in stock. If they all stock them there is your answer.

Frank (N.Mi.) · Nov 24, 2008

Thanks for the input guys. After a lot of reading on different forums I'm thinking it does sound a lot like a ring and pinion issue. Now to decide if I want to deal with it....

O.T.-- Noisy rear axles on Ford Rangers

Frank (N.Mi.)

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Brian Jasper co. Ia

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RobMD

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S.Crum

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Anonymous-0

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Harvesterguy

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RodinNS

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Mike M

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Frank (N.Mi.)

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