i have a 96 ranger 2wd with a 2.3l engine and a 5 spd manual. everything works except the rear diff whines a little under load. putting new bearings in doesn't look to difficult that's what i will plan on doing but first i need to take the cover off and need to know what fluid to put in?

 

The answer to your question, and more, can be found here:
http://www.fordservicecontent.com/Fo.../96ranog1e.pdf

Is this a new whine or something that has gotten worse? Almost every Ford I've owned has had a noticeable differential wine around 50 - 60 mph ('71 Maverick, '91 Ranger, '95 and '97 Aerostars). The exception is my '98 Explorer, but it's not my daily driver. I wouldn't be surprised if it had a whine but I can't remember for sure. I wouldn't go looking for problems unless this is a recent change.

 

it is getting worse,it sounds louder when i put a load on.

 

Have you set up a differential before? If you think it whines now, wait till you slap those gears back in there with a different pattern.

If you are a practiced gear man, go ahead. First timer? Have a shop do it and make sure they guarantee their work.

 

i have rebuilt a few jeep diff before and i went to school for this.

 

Before you jump for bearings, pop the differential cover off and drain/replace the old gear oil. Not hard, just messy and smelly. Replace it with new gear oil (70-90W or 80-140W I think) and maybe put some Lucas heavy gear oil in there too...that will quiet it down. If the insides of the diff don't look toasted and bad I wouldn't worry about it...just make checking/changing the oil part of your regular maintenance. I do mine on every vehicle at least once a year.

 

Watching this one..........My 93 Splash has developed the whiny diff too.

Just annoying, not affecting anything.

 

My '03 does the same thing....wine under a load.......I too have experienced this in other Fords and found the problem to be the pinion bearing, I have replaced or HAD replaced several pinion bearings, and seals, and also changed the gear oil at the same time and all was well......probably will do the same on my Ranger.....

 

i was thinking it might be the center bearing on the driveline,it goes away after it warms up. thought about putting a one piece driveline in,what would fit?

 

found out it was bad axle seals and the rear brake shoes were soaked with oil. all fixed now. next step fix the ac,then the heater core.