1999 Ranger Front Drive Shafts Failing
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1999 Ranger Front Drive Shafts Failing
I have a 1999 Ranger, 3.oL, Autotrans, 4x4 Electronic Shift on Demand, the problem is that when you shift from 2 wheel to 4 wheel drive the drive shaft in the front fails, the rubber boot fails and the shaft seaparates from the cv joint which allows the shaft to beat around in the cv housing. have lost 2 shafts to this problem. Fords answer to me was to bring it in and then would troubleshoot it and find the problem. Ford also stated that there were no Service Notices concerning Front Driveshaft failures. Could this be the Front hubs, the transfer case,or is it the electronic shift feature. Thanks,
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Durant, OK (SOSU)
Possibly yes. Does it run good in 2WD? Any noises we should be aware of in 2WD from the front end?
Does it do it all the time? Are you shifting from 2WD to 4WD the proper way?
Most 4x4ers on here are great proponents of manual hubs, so I'll chime in about it before someone else does. Dump those things and get manual hubs!
Does it do it all the time? Are you shifting from 2WD to 4WD the proper way?
Most 4x4ers on here are great proponents of manual hubs, so I'll chime in about it before someone else does. Dump those things and get manual hubs!
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,748
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From: Connecticut
Welcome to FTE.
Yours doesn't sound like the usual PVH failure which typically involves a lack of proper engagement/disengagement of the front hubs. Your description of things seems to indicate that there is a problem with the front differential and/or halfshafts. Could it be that there is some kind of wheel hub "runout" or something along those lines, where the halfshaft has too much play in and out...?
Just wondering, is your Ranger lifted?
Yours doesn't sound like the usual PVH failure which typically involves a lack of proper engagement/disengagement of the front hubs. Your description of things seems to indicate that there is a problem with the front differential and/or halfshafts. Could it be that there is some kind of wheel hub "runout" or something along those lines, where the halfshaft has too much play in and out...?
Just wondering, is your Ranger lifted?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,748
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From: Connecticut
Originally Posted by RangerPilot
Most 4x4ers on here are great proponents of manual hubs, so I'll chime in about it before someone else does. Dump those things and get manual hubs!
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 8,462
Likes: 4
From: Durant, OK (SOSU)
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2004
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There is no North American Dealer. I ordered mine from a company in Europe. They claimed to ship to America all the time. picked up mine for $275. Ford wanted to charge me $350 each for new knuckles after my vacuum sensors started falling apart. The dealer in Europe that i got mine from doesnt sell the hubs anymore but someone here found the new dealer.
Eagles, are you talking about the drive shaft or the axle shafts? I too have a 99' 3.0 and if this is a potential problem i cant afford it. your saying the shaft separates from the CV and just hangs in the boot and flops around? sounds like ur drive shaft is too short. as Rockledge asked, is your truck lifted?
Eagles, are you talking about the drive shaft or the axle shafts? I too have a 99' 3.0 and if this is a potential problem i cant afford it. your saying the shaft separates from the CV and just hangs in the boot and flops around? sounds like ur drive shaft is too short. as Rockledge asked, is your truck lifted?
Last edited by Brandan78; Nov 10, 2005 at 01:26 AM. Reason: Typo
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Well Folks I found the Problem with the Front Drive Shaft self destructing, Started comparing with another 1999 Ranger and found that the Transfer case cross member mount was bent, and that the motor, tranny, and transfer case was slid back .75 inches away from the front differental which was cuasing the drive shaft to overextend, and thereby break. The factory distance from the Front Differential Knuckle to the front of the Transfer case mounting flange is 30.25 inches. So the note to all Ranger owners is, if you do use your truck extensively in the Off Road enviroment (Farming for me, Fuel Truck) and you twist, torque, and wrench on the body and frame, or hit the differential cross member (Like me) then you could see this problem. my Friend who is a Ford Mechanic had never seen this problem, but will note it in the system. Thanks for the help in trying to sove the problem.
