2021 Ford Ranger FX4 TRS-3 Project Build

[Jim Oaks]

I recently rotated my tires. I've had issues with feeling like my front tires aren't balanced since last years trip to Kentucky. I had them re-balanced when I got back.

The front would get a vibration around 70-85 and smooth back out around 90. Sometimes it would seem like the ride would smooth out after I've driven it a little and the tires warmed up.

When I rotated the tires I noticed that the fronts were cupping on the inner edge. The passenger side was the worst.

Now that I rotated the tires I was feeling that the rough ride moved to the rear.

But I noticed something new today. I'm getting vibration (I think in the front) when I go over 75, and when I let off the gas and coast, the vibration intensifies. Seems like it may be in the driveline.

This has me wondering if it could be an issue with pinion angle since it has the 3.5"/1.5" lift, or a bad center bearing on the driveshaft (I actually have a spare).

And just to keep things interesting, it looks like the pinion seal is leaking on my front axle.

The Ranger has 58,700 miles on it. I'm going to try and get it on Monday while it's still under its 6 year 60 mile warranty.

 

[sgtsandman]

Alignment seems to be an issue with these trucks. Yours could be out. Of course, the lift could have thrown the alignment out as well. Though, most people complain about accelerated wear on the inside of the tread, not cupping.

I'm trying to remember the symptoms another member had when their center bearing was going bad. It was either @Blmpkn or @Robertmangrum.rm .

 

[Jim Oaks]

I called (3) dealers to try to get an appointment.

Dealer 1 can't look at it until 8/13 and said they'd probably have to have it for a couple of days. They are a small Ford, Dodge, Jeep dealer.

Dealer 2 can look at it Wednesday 8/7. They're a small ford dealer in a small town and I've wondered how they stay in business. Sounds like they can actually look at it on Wednesday and fix it IF or when they have the parts.

Dealer 3 is a little over an hour away and they said I can drop it off on Monday 8/5, but they would need 2-4 days before they could look at it. The advantage to this dealer is that they're a big dealer with a big service garage. They replaced the water pump on my F-350 diesel and rebuilt the front axle on my Expedition under warranty. This was the closest dealer that I had to choose from when I ordered my snorkel online through Ford. They may actually have the part, plus there's a car rental close by. I'll need a vehicle to drive if I leave it anywhere.

It's a gamble trying to figure out where to get it fixed and who's going to get it back to me the soonest.

Plus, I have 58,737 miles so the drivetrain warranty is almost up.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Sounds like we might get to see TRS2 overlanding!

 

[Jim Oaks]

I would hope that a dealer could fix it within 3-weeks.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I would hope that a dealer could fix it within 3-weeks.

If not for the intergalactic backorder... maybe.

 

[Jim Oaks]

According to FordParts.com, Dealer #3 has the differential pinion seal in stock for pickup at dealership.

 

[Blmpkn]

Alignment seems to be an issue with these trucks. Yours could be out. Of course, the lift could have thrown the alignment out as well. Though, most people complain about accelerated wear on the inside of the tread, not cupping.

I'm trying to remember the symptoms another member had when their center bearing was going bad. It was either @Blmpkn or @Robertmangrum.rm .

Both of us had our center bearings go out.

Only I did the right thing in search of a solution though hehe.

That being said.. mine just sounded like bad brakes. I didn't learn that it WASNT until my first drive after replacing the rear pads. At that point I crawled underneath the truck and gave my shaft a good wiggle.. obvious play from the bearing.

My front tires on the ranger always wore funny on the insides as well. I don't think cupping is the proper term though.. mabey feathering? What was happening was every other lug on the inside was wearing much quicker than the rest, with the trailing edge of the lugs having more wear than the fronts. I always had a dead-nuts alignment too

Bronco wears its tires down nice and even though

 

[Jim Oaks]

My tires are wearing like yours did. The center bearing seems nice and tight. No play. I need to check the pinion angles.

 

[Robertmangrum.rm]

Mine is constantly out of tow. I actually marked my adjustment bolts with a scribe. Now when I notice the vibration. I just adjust them myself. I thought ot was just Firestone. But seems to be just an issue I've learned to deal with. Assumed it was because I'm always offroad.

 

[Jim Oaks]

I crawled under and checked pinion angles. I wouldn't say the truck is on lever ground, but I measured the angle at the t-case and angle at the rear differential and discovered that I need a new angle finder.

One is measuring around 2.5 degrees.

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The other is around 2.5 degrees as well.

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I looked at the center bearing (carrier bearing) in the driveshaft and noticed that you can see where the bottom of the rubber bushing is making contact with the case

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I actually have a new center bearing as a spare and noticed that I could twist the rubber bushing in it by hand to make this contact, so I don't think this is bad. Plus, I haven't heard it make any noise.

I had the oil changed 9-days ago. The oil filter is above the front differential. I sprayed that side of the engine and the front diff with foaming engine degreaser and then hosed it off. I just want to make sure that the pinion seal is actually leaking and that the person that changed the oil didn't somehow dump oil on it. I'd think it would have all come off by now, and this feels more like gear oil than motor oil. I'm going to reinspect it tomorrow for leaks.

 

[racsan]

The nose knows, hypoid oil has a definite smell to it.

 

[Robertmangrum.rm]

The bearing itself let go in mine. The ball bearings were completely gone. The rubber surprisingly held up till I replaced it. It had been moaning for over a year before that. If you remember me looking at yours at the last event.

Not sure what the specs are supposed to be but I had a local tire shop set mine at 0° then luke said above I marked it. After most rough trips it has moved a touch I just jack it up and move it back to rhe mark. Has reduced the vibration. I still get a slight vibration between 72 to 75. Just run 70 or 76+ hahaha

 

[Jim Oaks]

This was the pinion yesterday after I degreesed and hosed the area off:

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Here it is this evening a day later:

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You can definitely see the gear oil collecting at the bottom of the seal.

I'm taking it to the dealer Minday morning and letting them have it for a few days. If I wait until after Kentucky, the warranty will be up.

 

[JohnnyO]

Seal is definitely leaking. If you can get a new driveshaft on warranty, great, if not then Tom Woods started making one-piece driveshafts for late model Rangers that people on *cough* other *cough* boards have used with success although it costs about $600.