Banging from rear when turning.
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Junior User
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Banging from rear when turning.
Hello All, Thanks in advance for any ideas you may have to my strange situation. I have a 98 Ranger XLT 3.0. It has about 193k on it. What I'm getting is a banging noise coming from the rear of the truck when I turn either left or right. It seems worse when I turn left. It doesn't seem to matter whether I am on the accelerator or not. I did the rear brakes a few weeks ago but they seem to be working fine. I don't know if that could have anything to do with it.
I spent some time searching the posts and couldn't find anything that resembled my problem. Any ideas? Anyone have this problem with their truck?
Thanks for taking the time to read this post and thanks again in advance for any thoughts.
I spent some time searching the posts and couldn't find anything that resembled my problem. Any ideas? Anyone have this problem with their truck?
Thanks for taking the time to read this post and thanks again in advance for any thoughts.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 934
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From: The 'Loops
Change out the rear end oil lately? If so check your door tag under "axle" for the code having a number and a letter, and if so you may have a limited slip rear that did not get the additive put in with the new gear oil.
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Junior User
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I have never changed the rear end oil. I was thinking about that but I didn't think that that would be the problem because it only seems to do it when turning. That's an easy enough thing to do so I'll put it on my list. I'll check the door tag to find out what rear it is. Can you get that additive at most local parts stores? Thanks for your quick reply. Any other thoughts? Anyone? Bueller, Bueller?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,338
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From: UPSTATE NY
what i would be doing is looking into identifying that rear end. then reading, and researching exactly what it is, and how it works. furthermore and finally do some troubleshooting procedures to verify you differential is working 100%
some goes for the suspension. need to read. need to learn and diy in order to save money and spend it responsibly.
some goes for the suspension. need to read. need to learn and diy in order to save money and spend it responsibly.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Boston, MA
the axle code is on the "Safety standard Certification Label" that is posted on the driverside door post. this link will help you identfy it,
Ford Ranger Axles - The Ranger Station
I also would check your rear leafspring hangers and shackles they are at the age that they are probably rusted ( unless you are in the south)
Ford Ranger Axles - The Ranger Station
I also would check your rear leafspring hangers and shackles they are at the age that they are probably rusted ( unless you are in the south)
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Thanks to everyone for your replies. Here's an update: I pulled the rear diff cover last night. I think the fluid level was definitely low because it didn't seem like more than a quart or 2 drained out. Surprisingly the gears all look good, not a lot of wear and none that looked broken or missing. There were some metal shavings at the bottom and stuck to the VSS that I removed and replaced with a new one. I cleaned it all out and replaced the cover after applying a nice coat of Permatex black to it. I didn't add the fluid yet, I figured I would let the Permatex dry overnight then fill it. I'm going to fill it when I get home tonight and take it for a test drive. I will keep you posted. Thanks again for everyone's help. I took a couple of pics of the inside of the diff. I'll try to post them soon.
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Yeah I checked the suspension, leafs, hangers, etc. All looked good there. The shocks aren't that old, I had those put on when I put tires on the truck last. Not too much rust under there considering I live on Long Island, NY.
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I'll try that, thanks Powersmoked. I filled the diff tonight, put the additive in it as well. Still acting the same. I did notice that it is making the same noise when going straight as well just not nearly as bad. Can this be drive shaft related? I checked to see if there was any play in it and it seemed tight. It sounds very similar to the bang or clunk what you would get when you would need to replace the u-joints on the drive shaft only it does it while its moving not just when you put it in gear. There doesn't seem to be any rhythm to the bang/clunk, very random just more pronounced when turning. My drive shaft has 2 sets of u-joints, one by the rear and one before it goes into the transmission. This doesn't have a slip yoke that needs to be lubed or anything does it? I don't see a boot or anything on it.
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
Last edited by nd925; May 13, 2010 at 07:22 AM. Reason: Add more info
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Boston, MA
I'll try that, thanks Powersmoked. I filled the diff tonight, put the additive in it as well. Still acting the same. I did notice that it is making the same noise when going straight as well just not nearly as bad. Can this be drive shaft related? I checked to see if there was any play in it and it seemed tight. It sounds very similar to the bang or clunk what you would get when you would need to replace the u-joints on the drive shaft only it does it while its moving not just when you put it in gear. There doesn't seem to be any rhythm to the bang/clunk, very random just more pronounced when turning. My drive shaft has 2 sets of u-joints, one by the rear and one before it goes into the transmission. This doesn't have a slip yoke that needs to be lubed or anything does it? I don't see a boot or anything on it.
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
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Ok here's the latest. It's the rear. I drove the truck a short distance to my friends house so he can have a look at it and when I got to his house the rear went. The drive shaft was spinning away while the truck was in gear and my foot on the brake. He's going to pull it apart to check it out. Here's the question, do I rebuild this rear or get a used one from a junkie?