I need some help with my truck and I heard this was where I should go. I have a 2003 Ford Ranger XLT 2.3L Manual with 82,000 miles on it. When I start going I hear a repetative squeaking sound regardless of what gear I am in. The squeaking will speed up in relation to my speed. The sound will go away at around 28MPH and I sometimes here clicking randomly after that. At around 65-70MPH my whole truck is vibrating.
I put my rear end on jacks this weekend. I put the tranny in neutral and turned the driveshaft and hear the squeaking echoing inside of it. I did not have time to further evaulate the problem though.
Has one of my U-Joints gone bad? What are your thoughts?
To be sure remove DS. To do it, use 14 mm 12point wrench to unscrew 4 bolts, DS is held with to flange and pull it out of tranny. Close tranny with cloth to get no tranny fluid puddle and do not let dust come into tranny and when DS is on bench try to move UJs. Usually rear UJ fails with bad lubrication sindrome. Now there is no reason to put greeze in becouse it is rusty and worn inside.
__________________
_____________________________________
And makes us rather bear those ills we have
Than fly to others that we know not of?
Just remove lock rings and press UJ out, if you have no press tool, do it with hammer, but be carefull, becouse DS is made of alloy and may easily be damaged. Sometimes WD40 helps, but there are fluids for aluminium corrosion. they work better.
__________________
_____________________________________
And makes us rather bear those ills we have
Than fly to others that we know not of?
Try grabbing the drive shaft near each U-joint and giving it a vigorous shake. If you detect any play at all in the joint, then it's definitely bad. They can break if they get too bad, so don't delay repairing it for too long.
Thanks for the advice Pable/reddog. Hopefully I can get under there this weekend. I went ahead and ordered a pair of U-joints. Figured I would change them out regardless that way I have more new parts on the truck and have u-joints that I can grease. I got the precision branded ones. If you have any additional advice on changing them out guys, let me know.
Thanks and I'll let you know the verdict in a few days.
-AJ
not sure if you have done the job yet. it is a good idea to mark the driveshaft with a sharpy or some whiteout so that you put it back exactly where you took it off. also the easiest way to take the ujoint off is with a vise and a socket that is a little smaller that the u joint . google it and ou will find some pictures of what i am talking about. once you have doen one itis a pretty easy job.
Rangers and U joints..................They just seem to go together, or rather BAD U joints.
I once had to limp home from a hunting trip in 4wd on the front end from bad U joints in my old Ranger. Seems U joints need to be inspected often on Rangers.
__________________
FORCE IT!,IF IT BREAKS IT NEEDED REPLACED ANYWAY!
IF IT CANT BE FIXED WITH A HAMMER, ITS A ELECTRICAL PROBLEM!
Still bitterly clinging to guns and religion.
Dave
Oregon Assistant Chapter Leader: To join the Oregon Chapter, click HERE
This forum is owned and operated by Internet Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation. It is not authorized or endorsed by the Ford Motor Company and is not affiliated with the Ford Motor Company or its related companies in any way. FordŽ is a registered trademark of the Ford Motor Company.
Universial Joints gone bad?
