flywheel problems with my ranger.
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New User
Joined: Nov 2007
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flywheel problems with my ranger.
hey guys.
i have a 97 4x4 ranger xlt. i love that thing, ive been to 3 or 4 other ford sites & noone will give me an answer but since may, we've had to replace FOUR, yes FOUR flywheels & starters in it, tho i love it its gettin costly. now, to the point- my old motor had 190k miles on it so we put in a motor from a 1998 explorer with 48k in it, we've figured out that we were puttin the ranger starter on the explorer motor, but could that be the WHOLE reason the flywheel is breakin JUST around the center? we've tried everything but, i cant keep replacin flywheels & starters every few weeks, its too costly. i wouldnt ask for help but, i have no other way to get anywhere and when i get it fixed i plan on tradin it for an explorer. please give me any tips you may have. thanks i appreciate it tons!
>!EriN!<
i have a 97 4x4 ranger xlt. i love that thing, ive been to 3 or 4 other ford sites & noone will give me an answer but since may, we've had to replace FOUR, yes FOUR flywheels & starters in it, tho i love it its gettin costly. now, to the point- my old motor had 190k miles on it so we put in a motor from a 1998 explorer with 48k in it, we've figured out that we were puttin the ranger starter on the explorer motor, but could that be the WHOLE reason the flywheel is breakin JUST around the center? we've tried everything but, i cant keep replacin flywheels & starters every few weeks, its too costly. i wouldnt ask for help but, i have no other way to get anywhere and when i get it fixed i plan on tradin it for an explorer. please give me any tips you may have. thanks i appreciate it tons!
>!EriN!<
Carpenter Local 745
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,794
Likes: 11
From: on da beach
Starters are different. The flywheel looks to be the same btwn 4.0 Ranger and 4.0 Explorer. Different part number on starters. Try to use a starter for the Explorer engine. Did you say you were using a Ranger starter?
I would have just rebuild the old Ranger engine or got a new/reman longblock for the Ranger instead of using the Explorer engine. Would have saved time and money IMO.
Try a Exlporer starter on the next go around.
OH I just bought an 07 Explorer (used) and it is great. Trading your 10 Y.O. truck is not a bad idea either.
Think Sportrac.
I would have just rebuild the old Ranger engine or got a new/reman longblock for the Ranger instead of using the Explorer engine. Would have saved time and money IMO.
Try a Exlporer starter on the next go around.
OH I just bought an 07 Explorer (used) and it is great. Trading your 10 Y.O. truck is not a bad idea either.
Think Sportrac.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 403
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From: Medina TN
I had an 86 2.8l ranger back in the day that had an automatic transmission. I had the exact same problem that you are having without the whole new motor thing. I had just had my tranny rebuilt(auto, i can't remember the model #)and went through 3 flywheels in 2 months. I got real fast at replacing them, but it just sucked that I had to spend my friday nights and saturday mornings replacing them. I got to where I could do it myself in the driveway with hand tools in around 2-3 hours. Not too bad for a 17 year old kid. Long story short, when the tranny was rebuilt, the front pump was left loose for some unknown reason. The rebuilder forgot I guess. While driving, the torque converter would wobble enough to break the flywheel just as you describe, in the middle around the bolts. The front pump had 4 bolts holding it from the outside of the case behind the torque converter. I tightened them up and never had another problem with the flywheel. Hope this helps.. Good Luck...
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
When you swapped engines, did you line the transmission up to the engines two dowel pins? A misaligned engine/transmission will rip the center out of a flywheel, chew up the flywheels ring gear, and that'll cause the starter drive teeth to snap off, or wear down unevenly.
Last edited by NumberDummy; Dec 1, 2007 at 05:40 AM.
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THANKS GUYS SO MUCh!
i thank yall for the replies .. im tellin my boyfriend about these since he is the mechanic. btw sorry i didnt give enough info. its an automatic transmission & whatever else you need to know, just let me know. im 17 years old & im girl [which is no excuse] but like i said, i dont know much about it. & it is pretty cool that you got to where you [street healer] could change it so fast, it took my bf like 4 hours to change mine & hes changed it 4 times! Thnks tonsss for the replies again, cuz, every other forum wouldnt give me any and yall are very informative with your replies..
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Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 8
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THANKS GUYS SO MUCh!
i thank yall for the replies .. im tellin my boyfriend about these since he is the mechanic. btw sorry i didnt give enough info. its an automatic transmission & whatever else you need to know, just let me know. im a17 year old girl[which is no excuse] but like i said, i dont know much about it. & it is pretty cool that you got to where you [street healer] could change it so fast, it took my bf like 4 hours to change mine & hes changed it 4 times! Thnks tonsss for the replies again, cuz, every other forum wouldnt give me any and yall are very informative with your replies..
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
Likes: 22
From: The Big, Oregon
Ok, I'd be willing to be either the t/c isn't seated properly, or the combination of the t/c and flex plate isn't correct, causing the plate to be pushed forward or pulled back enough to crack and break the flex plate over time.
If the studs for the torque converter are fully engaged before the tranny is bolted up tight, then there is an interference problem.
If the studs for the torque converter are fully engaged before the tranny is bolted up tight, then there is an interference problem.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 28,609
Likes: 18
From: Lake Tahoe, Nevada
I think that Jared is onto the problem. I'm not entirely certain, but there is a part, between the crank and the flexplate, (flywheel,) like a pilot bushing that the front of the torque converter slips into. Maybe someone here knows ~ Bill perhaps? ~ if that part is different for the Ranger and the Explorer. If so, that would be a likely cause.
It is ahead of the flexplate and my just look like part of the crank if you don't know it's there.
It is ahead of the flexplate and my just look like part of the crank if you don't know it's there.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 8,462
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From: Durant, OK (SOSU)
Bill, aka NumberDummy, is our resident parts person. If it's anything relating to Ford parts, that guy's an encyclopedia.
If he doesn't reply again soon, you can private message him by putting your cursor over his name in this post and clicking contact via private message or whatever it says. I'd know...but this ridiculously stupid laptop won't do mouseovers like that.
Zach (ready for break to be over and to be back in his dorm room with a decent computer)
EDIT: sorry for echoing you Bdox, you beat me to it.
If he doesn't reply again soon, you can private message him by putting your cursor over his name in this post and clicking contact via private message or whatever it says. I'd know...but this ridiculously stupid laptop won't do mouseovers like that.
Zach (ready for break to be over and to be back in his dorm room with a decent computer)
EDIT: sorry for echoing you Bdox, you beat me to it.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
Originally Posted by fordtruckgirl08
I was wondering, could you tell me who Bill is please? id like to know if the parts you were talking about are different on a Ranger than an Explorer.. thanks a lot! >!EriN!<
From what I've read here in this thread, it's most likely an alignment problem that's causing the flexplates to self distruct.
What I suggest, is contact FTE sponsor DIRECT FORD PARTS and ask them if the flexplate/starter are indeed different between Ranger/Explorer.
Direct's link is on the forum main page-refresh till it appears.
(I can call someone locally and find the info, but I won't be able to post back till Monday at the earliest...it depends if the dealer is open on that day or not).
Last edited by NumberDummy; Dec 29, 2007 at 02:23 AM.