mysterious noise
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Joined: Nov 2004
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mysterious noise
I've got a good one for you all. I have a 1998 Ford Ranger 4x4 3.0 L $-6, 5 Speed Manual. Lately (over the last 2-3 months) there is a noise coming from what sounds like directly beneath the stick shift. The only way I can describe it is that it sounds like the sound that would be made if you had a spinning shaft, and let something rest on it and scrape against it while it was spinning. The noise only occurs in 2nd and 4th gears, and dissappears when the stick shift is in the forward position (1st, 3rd and 5th gears). Also, if the truck comes to a stop, the noise stops. There is no performance loss, and nothing seems to be acting up, it's just kind of worrying me a little. The mechanic I had it at was baffled.
You all have never failed me before, and any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks.
You all have never failed me before, and any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,940
Likes: 2
From: Eastern WA
How is the fluid level in the tranny?
I'm speculating, but I'm thinking maybe a bearing in the tranny is failing. Try driving the truck, then pulling the fill plug for the tranny. Put your finger in there, get it good ad oily, remove it and look for metal. You may also elect to drain the fluid and examine it for metal.
Does the sound change at all when the truck is under load as opposed to steady cruise or coasting?
I'm speculating, but I'm thinking maybe a bearing in the tranny is failing. Try driving the truck, then pulling the fill plug for the tranny. Put your finger in there, get it good ad oily, remove it and look for metal. You may also elect to drain the fluid and examine it for metal.
Does the sound change at all when the truck is under load as opposed to steady cruise or coasting?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,436
Likes: 117
From: Virginia
Like CowboyBilly9Mile said, check the level first to see if it is low or if there are signs of a leak. Otherwise, when was the last time you changed the fluid/oil in the trans. I don't know if your trans is anything like the 2 that came in the 80's Rangers, but those are very prone to leak and then burn a bearing.
As mentioned though, I would be thinking about first changing the fluid and give it a chance to work in. If that doesn't work, it will get worse as time goes on. I just did some research on where to get a rebuilt unit from while I let the old one chew it'self apart. When it finally gave out I had nothing but 4th gear to work with. On the plus side, my MPG when up quite a bit after the new trans.
As mentioned though, I would be thinking about first changing the fluid and give it a chance to work in. If that doesn't work, it will get worse as time goes on. I just did some research on where to get a rebuilt unit from while I let the old one chew it'self apart. When it finally gave out I had nothing but 4th gear to work with. On the plus side, my MPG when up quite a bit after the new trans.
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I'll change out the transmission fluid this weekend and see what happens. Thanks for the advice, and i'll post the results here. I really don't want to put in a new tranny, but i guess that's the joys of owning a vehicle. If that's the need, any advice where to get a good rebuilt one?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,436
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From: Virginia
Mine was like $700+shipping for a Mazda unit from a company selling on eBay. I would have to go back and look but I think it was like Man-Trans....
Before you change the fluid make sure you check which trans you have. In the 80's Rangers like I have there were 2 different trans put in. Most 4x2s had a Mazda trans which used MTF for fluid, then most of the 4x4s got the Mitsubishi trans which used gear oil for fluid. I don't know about your year Ranger, but being a 4x4, I would think it takes gear oil. Anyway, just make sure you check first what it needs.
Before you change the fluid make sure you check which trans you have. In the 80's Rangers like I have there were 2 different trans put in. Most 4x2s had a Mazda trans which used MTF for fluid, then most of the 4x4s got the Mitsubishi trans which used gear oil for fluid. I don't know about your year Ranger, but being a 4x4, I would think it takes gear oil. Anyway, just make sure you check first what it needs.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2003
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just to put your mind at ease, it is a common problem to get the "whirrr" sound in certain gears on these mazda trannies. mine has done it for several years with no problems. I believe it started when my dad put gear oil it it when it required ATF. it does it in gears 3 and 5. i swapped in some Royal Purple syncromax which helped the shifting a bit but not the noise. i have never seen a definative answer to what causes it though.
