I bought an 89 BII 4x4 5sp a couple of months and I love it. I do have a small
problem that seems to be getting worse though, when I am driving down the road I hear a howling sound from the drivers side apparently behind the dash.
Anyone have any idea what might be causing this?

thanks
Steve.

 

If you have cruise the speedometer cable may have worked its way loose. Otherwise a bad speedo cable? There are a few plugs (including the parking brake) that could let in engine noise. If it is only at speed, check the rubber plugs on the driver's door and pad under the fender.

 

does it change with different speeds. how bout when you turn left or right???

 

It does change with speed but not with turning. worse at 15-45 and when it is cool outside.

 

Sounds like the front main bearing in the tranny. It's a common problem with the FM145 tranny{which is what you truck has}.The other thing it could be is the Throw out bearing.

 

OH Goody!! Guess it is a good thing I am planning to pull the engine and change the main and rod bearings.

 

It's a common problem with the FM145 tranny{which is what you truck has}
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the 145 stoped in 87

 

I had two 89 BII with the FM145 tranny in them.Some had FM146 tranny in them.They had the same problem. Both howled.The Ranger had a different tranny in them.



It is the front main bearing in the tranny that goes bad. Not the engine bearings.

 

i had an fm146 tranny in my 86 b2 ,the front bearing went out at around 180k i replaced it at the same time i did the clutch assy. not too bad of a job to do if you have the book on the tranny and follow all instructions

 

'83-87 2wd Rangers and Aerostars (all engines) with Manual trans will be either a 4sp
or 5sp "Toyo-Koygo" transmission. (Note: Aerostar 5sp only)

'83-84 4x4 Rangers/Bronco2's (all engines) with Manual trans will be either a 4sp
or 5sp "Toyo-Koygo" transmission.

'85-87 4x4 (any engine) can be EITHER a Toyo-Koygo 5sp (aka "T-K" or "Ranger-5")
OR it can be a Mitsubishi FM145 5sp manual (this trans is 4x4 ONLY)

T-K's are more likely to be found in 4cyl 4x4 Rangers, Bronco2's are more likely
to be Mitsubishi FM145's

'88-92 Rangers(4x4)/Bronco2(4x4 & 2wd) 2.9 engine can be
1)Mitsubishi FM146 (2.9 4x4 ONLY)
2)Mazda M5OD-R1 (4x4 version)

'88-92 Rangers 2wd equipped with the 2.9 engine there were both
1)Mazda built M5OD-R1 (2wd Version)
2)Mitsubishi FM132 (2.9 2wd ONLY)

'88-current production Rangers with 4cyl engines both 2wd and 4x4 (including the 2.0(carb),
2.3, 2.5 and (new) 2.3 DOHC will be a Mazda M5OD-R1.
this is the only manual trans factory installed behind four cylinder engines
in Rangers after the beginning of the 1988 model year.

'88-95 Aerostars with manual transmissions will have Mazda M5OD-R1 transmissions.

'91-current Rangers with the 3.0 engine:
The Mazda M5OD-R1 is the only manual trans used in Rangers with this engine.

'91-2000 Ranger/Explorer with the 4.0OHV engine:
The Mazda M5OD-R1 is the only manual trans used in Ranger/Explorer with this engine.

2001-on Ranger ('97-on in Explorers with the 4.0 SOHC engine):
the Mazda M5OD-R1HD is the only manual trans used in Rangers/Explorer with this engine

 

it sounds like a wheel bearing. jack up the right side, and spin(by hand) the tire. does it make any noise? sound rough, like sand or gravel?

if u cant hear it that way. jack up all four, on stands. put in 4x4, start it, put in 3rd, and release clutch.
walk around and listen for the sound.

 

how bout when you turn left or right(meaning wheel bearings)
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spedo cables dont howl???? and what does cruise control have tado with it??? if you think its the speedo cable, jack up one back wheel(non LS) and run it through the gears