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1983 - 2012 Ranger & B-Series All Ford Ranger and Mazda B-Series models

differential shot?

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Old Oct 8, 2015 | 08:24 PM
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69issofine
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From: pine city washington
differential shot?

i have been hauling a lot of garbage with my 96 ranger this last week. the differential has been making a little more than usual noise like growling,but it has always been smooth,now all of a sudden it shakes like a tire out of balance up to about 55 then it is like a switch is thrown and everything quiets down and the shaking goes away,until i get around 55. i haven't climbed under the truck yet just checked the tires and grabbed the drive line they are all ok,i don't see any leaks so it is a head scratcher. hopefully it will be something easy ,but it hardly ever is. wish me luck see you on the flip side.
 
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Old Oct 8, 2015 | 09:42 PM
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Check your the ends of the axles. I bet one is hot, the other warm.

You need to start taking things apart. An external visual inspection won't always show a u-joint that is frozen up.

Also do the spin (low speed) test for true on your tires, wheels and drive shaft.
 
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Old Oct 10, 2015 | 11:05 AM
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i noticed when i did a brake job one side was tighter than the other,it was harder to get the brake drum on. i wonder if that would have an effect on the diffential
 
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Old Oct 10, 2015 | 04:26 PM
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i jacked the truck up in the air and found out there is about 1/2 inch slop in the differential i know the gears are made of pressed metal,how much slop is suppose to be in the differential. the u joints are fine tires are brand new. if i go to the wrecking yard what differential should i get?
 
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Old Oct 11, 2015 | 12:00 AM
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Difficulty getting a brake drum on would simply be a brake adjustment issue.

There is going to be some "slop" in a used differential. When you turn a wheel, you are dealing with the spiders as well as ring and pinion. If the axle rotates 1/2", that would not be something to worry about.

Have you done a "heat test" on the wheel bearings?

Replacing a wheel bearing is a fairly easy job.

Check the pinion area after running also. If that is hot after a short run, perhaps a complete rear axle swap would be the answer.

You need to get the tag off your axle, and find a used axle from the same series and get the same ratio.
 
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Old Oct 11, 2015 | 12:04 PM
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that is what i figured. i will hit up the wrecking yard payday with the tag. do i have to get the same year?
 
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Old Oct 11, 2015 | 12:15 PM
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No, but if you have a 7.5 you need a 7.5, 8.8 must be an 8.8. The axles are the same for several years, some stringing along longer than others.

See the chart here:

Ford Rear Axle Assembly Identification - Page 12 - FORDification.com
 
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Old Oct 12, 2015 | 01:16 PM
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i took the tires off and the brake drums and started the truck and everything was fine so i let it run for a bit in gear and found the noise it is the center carrier bearing which you can't buy from ford anymore but i got the part no.s if anyone needs them. i hate to go aftermarket because they only have a 1 yr warrenty,not a great confidence builder. thinking about going one piece not sure what that entails (years,modifacations,etc ) but its a thought. p.s. my axle is an 86 what ever that means.
 
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