'93 Ranger, 2wd, 3.0 Crazy Grinding Noise

[russkateer]

Hey, my 15yr old just bought this 93 Ranger (probably the 12th one in the family) and we will be replacing the clutch and clutch slave cylinder next week. We will flush the 5pd tranny, possibly swap out the rear main while we are in there. Differential was leaking, so we changed fluid and put in a new gasket, gear oil was super clean so it had probably been done recently, but RTV "gasket" was faulty.

I can't identify the noise because it is crazy loud grinding at weird times...

It will consistently make the grinding noise in every gear except 4th with clutch depressed and revving the engine.

Occasionally, while slowing or accelerating (possibly while taking corners )same noise. (no idea correlation of gears)

I am hoping it is Pilot Bearing or something simple, concerned it is an input gear bearing or something in the tranny... but I don't know. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks in advance.

 

[Spott]

The clue about "every gear but 4th" leads me to suspect countershaft bearings. In 4th gear the input shaft is coupled directly to the output shaft and the countershaft just idles with no load, but in all the other gears then force is passed through the countershaft.

Unfortunately, replacing those bearings requires complete transmission disassembly.

Fortunately, a manual transmission has about 1/5 as many moving parts as an automatic transmission. If you're bold enough to tackle the job yourself, I recommend starting with the purchase of the factory service manual, with step-by-step instructions and nice illustrations. I rebuilt my '88 FM146 in one week, evenings and weekend, with a helper.

 

[russkateer]

not exactly what i was hoping for...but thanks for the input. Do you know if there is anyway to clearly diagnose? Asside from tearing it apart and rebuild...Thanks again!