Just purchased an 89 ranger extcab 4x4 2.9 liter 5 speed for a project vehicle for my son and myself to spend some time on together. We have a couple of weekends rebuilding the rear brakes and tune up. Next weekend ball joints and front brakes.

I have a couple of questions about the rear end. I have a hard vibration on an easy acceleration from 25 to 30 mph no matter what gear I am in. Under hard acceleration and on deceleration I do not seem to notice it. While replacing the emergency brake cables I grabbed the drive shaft to check the u joints and it turned alot. I mean the pinion moved alot before I noticed ring gear resistance......1/8th turn? Anyone know of a spec? Just seems like a lot to me.

The ujoints looked new, not rusted yet and they looked well lubricated. When I pulled on them they did not look loose. We/he will probably replace the ujoints for the experience. They are not that expensive and he seems to really want to do some things on his own.

I am leaning to replacing the ring and pinion after the ujoints if that doesnt clear it up. Is there any other crazy things you guys have heard of before I do a ring and pinion?

Thanks

 

I had an '88 Ranger for 200K miles, with a 2.9 and 5 spd.
It needed new U joints every 90K miles.

It would start vibrating like bad tire balance, around 55-65 MPH.

Tires checked, OK.

Front end shop said U joints, $90 bucks installed (back then).

Cured it both times.
Not the same symptoms as your vibration though.

I got 200K out of that Ranger, mostly on the highway.
Never did anything to the rear end but change the fluid once.

Change the Trans gear oil also, if you don't know when it was done last.
That trans was sensitive to gear oil weight. Use what they recommend, or it will be stiff shifting when oil is cold.

 

Well I pulled the the drive shaft today and took it to a clutch and joint place to have it evaluated. yep, two u joints and carrier bearing. I am having all three and the carrier bearing replaced and maybe the slide joint too. Once they get it on the machine to balance he said he would let me know for sure. right now to do everything except the slide joint looks like 150 total.

I guess when I checked it earlier there must have been some tension on the drive line. Checked it this morning and it was pretty obvious. The previous owner gave me I replaced all the ujoints in the spring......ya right there wasnt a drop of grease any where to be found. I will let you know.