Drivetrain clunk
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA
Drivetrain clunk
Iam trying to DX a drive train clunk.the clunk acts like a bad ujount. I have put the truck in neutral and examined the u joints they seem fine. When the truck is in neutral I can turn the drive shaft back and forth about 1/4" as marked on the output shaft. Is that normal? When the truck is in gear with a little muscle I can twist the DS and hear a clicking in the tranny. Is that normal? Are there parts of the clutch that can cause a clunk. The truck shifts fine. I replaced the tranny mount. Any feedback would be great
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
From: st cloud, MN
To me, it sounds most likely u- joints... I need to replace mine, I can grab it and twist it a little bit and no noise. It still wouldn't hurt to replace them anyway. But back to mine, when I go to move it clunks.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 94
From: Stanton, Michigan, USA
PS,
Tell us more about your '99 Ranger:
1) How many miles on the drivetrain?
2) What service has it had and about how long ago?
3) Are they original U-joints or have they been replaced?
4) Do the U-joints have grease zerks on them - if so, have they been greased regularly?
5) For the past year or so, about what type of care & driving conditions has it been subjected to?
6) Is the 5spd trans and hydraulic clutch original or have they been replaced recently?
7) Is the trans gear lube up to the proper level - about when was the last time the trans gear lube was changed?
A few years ago I have checked the U-joints under my Ranger and although they appeared to be fairly dry, they seemed tight and good. I removed the driveshaft anyway. As I removed the rear U-joint, it fell apart as the needle bearings had turned to dust! Needless to say, I replaced the U-joint. All was well.....
BarnieTrk
Tell us more about your '99 Ranger:
1) How many miles on the drivetrain?
2) What service has it had and about how long ago?
3) Are they original U-joints or have they been replaced?
4) Do the U-joints have grease zerks on them - if so, have they been greased regularly?
5) For the past year or so, about what type of care & driving conditions has it been subjected to?
6) Is the 5spd trans and hydraulic clutch original or have they been replaced recently?
7) Is the trans gear lube up to the proper level - about when was the last time the trans gear lube was changed?
A few years ago I have checked the U-joints under my Ranger and although they appeared to be fairly dry, they seemed tight and good. I removed the driveshaft anyway. As I removed the rear U-joint, it fell apart as the needle bearings had turned to dust! Needless to say, I replaced the U-joint. All was well.....
BarnieTrk
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA
I have about 125k on it I think the ujoints are original but not sure. They do not have the zerk fitting. the tranny has been drained a few times. I run mercon V in it. Today I started to get a squeek from somewehere. The truck does not get abused
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA
The squeak is coming form the camshaft/timing belt/waterpump area. I cleaned the engine bay the other day with simple green and a garden hose. I then sprayed some armerall around. I must have aggravated something.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 94
From: Stanton, Michigan, USA
Sounds like the new squeak needs some WD-40 (I have a qt. hand spray bottle filled with diesel [(fuel oil] that I like to use instead of WD-40) squirted around the area and watch/listen to see if you can quiet the squeak and where it is coming from. I know on my 2.3L , I remove the serpentine belt twice a year and hand spin each pulley and wiggle them to check their center bearing. I had an idler pulley freeze up once and it got ugly real fast!
Regarding your drivetrain clunk again. I'd just pick up a rear U-joint and plan to change it. Then see if the clunk is still there.......
Could the clunking sound be coming from the rearend?
How long ago (years/miles) has it been since it had its gear lube level checked and last changed?
BarnieTrk
Regarding your drivetrain clunk again. I'd just pick up a rear U-joint and plan to change it. Then see if the clunk is still there.......
Could the clunking sound be coming from the rearend?
How long ago (years/miles) has it been since it had its gear lube level checked and last changed?
BarnieTrk
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA
Sounds like the new squeak needs some WD-40 (I have a qt. hand spray bottle filled with diesel [(fuel oil] that I like to use instead of WD-40) squirted around the area and watch/listen to see if you can quiet the squeak and where it is coming from. I know on my 2.3L , I remove the serpentine belt twice a year and hand spin each pulley and wiggle them to check their center bearing. I had an idler pulley freeze up once and it got ugly real fast!
Regarding your drivetrain clunk again. I'd just pick up a rear U-joint and plan to change it. Then see if the clunk is still there.......
Could the clunking sound be coming from the rearend?
How long ago (years/miles) has it been since it had its gear lube level checked and last changed?
BarnieTrk
Regarding your drivetrain clunk again. I'd just pick up a rear U-joint and plan to change it. Then see if the clunk is still there.......
Could the clunking sound be coming from the rearend?
How long ago (years/miles) has it been since it had its gear lube level checked and last changed?
BarnieTrk
Trending Topics
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 94
From: Stanton, Michigan, USA
If I'm recalling correctly, my Haynes book says with my 2.3L to replace the timing belt every 70K miles. When I do, I always change the thermostat and the water pump too, just 'cause I'm already there. Is there any mention to periodically change the timing belt on your '99 2.5L?
I think your plan to change both U-joints is a good one. You may also want to take the opportunity to simply change the differential gear lube while you've got the truck up in the air.
I try to follow the preventative maintenance schedule outlined in my Haynes manual to change the trans fluid and the differential gear lube very 30K miles or 30 months.
BarnieTrk
I think your plan to change both U-joints is a good one. You may also want to take the opportunity to simply change the differential gear lube while you've got the truck up in the air.
I try to follow the preventative maintenance schedule outlined in my Haynes manual to change the trans fluid and the differential gear lube very 30K miles or 30 months.
BarnieTrk
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 9
From: So. Cal.
in my first post i mentioned that you can turn the driveshaft back and forth a little bit with the truck in nuetral. I don't know if that is normal.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
nohushhush
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
38
Feb 17, 2015 04:05 PM
