Squeaky rear-end while accelerating - 98 Ranger
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Squeaky rear-end while accelerating - 98 Ranger
I need some help. I'm out of town and the rear-end of my 98 Ranger (3.0,2wd,5sp) is squeaking during acceleration. If I am just coasting, it doesn't do it. Also, if I'm backing up, it does not do it. It does it whenever I begin to accelerate from a stop or a low speed. Its a cyclic type squeaky that occurs whenever I put it in gear and begin to accelerate. I've narrowed the sound down to what sounds like the rear-end. Any ideas on this? Truck has about 109k on it. I'm out of town and need to know if this thing can get me home (120 miles with Atlanta traffic.) Anything I can check? I don't see any oil leaks or obvious visual indications of problems.
Thanks
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Washington
Well, I can't say much about a squeak back there but metallic squealing back there can come from a bad u joint or bad axle wheel bearing. Check your u joints visually and also see if they have a lot of play in them. If the axle bearing is going it takes out the oil seal with it. Pull rear wheels and drums to inspect.
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2005
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Most (if not all) factory u joints are non serviceable....many or most aftermarket u-joints have a grease zerk. I had a u-joint going out a while back and had similar symptoms. It was the rear u-joint and only one of the four crosses was bad for some reason. I was not able to feel any play by physically grabbing the driveshaft. If you don't have any u-joint experience, take it to the dealer; they can be finicky little things.
Posting Guru
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you can grease them yourself if they have grease fittings and you have a grease gun. if they are not sealed they will have one grease fitting at each end. If you have an extended cab, grease the center bearing too.
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Originally Posted by Pony Power
Well, I can't say much about a squeak back there but metallic squealing back there can come from a bad u joint or bad axle wheel bearing. Check your u joints visually and also see if they have a lot of play in them. If the axle bearing is going it takes out the oil seal with it. Pull rear wheels and drums to inspect.
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
Thanks
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From: Corydon US of A
The problem you are describing is without a doubt your U-Joint, most likely the rear one. I had the same sound from mine (along with a vibration) about a month ago. The stock U-Joints are not greaseable and chances are damage has already been done to them anyway. Your best shot would be to go get a fresh pair from NAPA with grease fittings and go drive it for another 200k!
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Thanks everybody for your help. I did go today and have a new u-joint put in the back (front too since they had the driveshaft off). 10 bucks for each u-joint too. Sounds great, no more squeaking or vibration. Once again, thanks for all the help!
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