'99 4x4 Ranger - Front Axle Intermediate Shaft Came Out W/ CV

[mimswk]

Hello - I'm working on a new-to-me '99 Ranger 4x4 (I've had two '94's in the past) and while replacing the passenger side CV axle, the intermediate shaft from inside the front axle slid out with it. I was able to get the CV axle off of it, but it certainly doesn't seem normal to have that shaft slide out of the front axle.

Can anyone tell me what's missing, broken or otherwise stuff I need to look at? I've attached a photo. Thanks for any help!

I'm also replacing the front rack and pinion (got that out, what a pain) and other miscellaneous front end parts.

 

[ericbphoto]

Poke it back in. Someone with more knowledge will answer. Im not sure if that should have a c-clip or not.

 

[mimswk]

Poke it back in. Someone with more knowledge will answer. Im not sure if that should have a c-clip or not.

Thanks - I stuck it back in and it seems to engage with the diff. The drivers side shaft turns when I turn the passenger side that came out, so I’m guessing that it’s mostly working. Not sure if there are clips or seals that are missing (there doesn’t seem to be a recess for a clip) but it does feel sloppy. Perhaps with the CV axle on everything pulls together and centers up. Also, not sure if there is an oil seal in there or just that outer axle seal or not.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I've never been into one of these SLA's that far...

Here is the exploded view...

Ford Ranger 4x4 Front Axle: 1998-2011 - The Ranger Station

The Ford Ranger 4×4 received a new SLA (Short arm Long Arm) suspension in 1998, and used that suspension until its production end in 2011. Unlike the reverse rotation Dana 35 used from 1990-1997, the Dana 35 SLA is a … Continued

www.therangerstation.com

There aren't any C-clips in the exploded view. I believe the have spring clips that hold things together. It also shows a bearing and seal.

 

[mimswk]

I've never been into one of these SLA's that far...

Here is the exploded view...

Ford Ranger 4x4 Front Axle: 1998-2011 - The Ranger Station

The Ford Ranger 4×4 received a new SLA (Short arm Long Arm) suspension in 1998, and used that suspension until its production end in 2011. Unlike the reverse rotation Dana 35 used from 1990-1997, the Dana 35 SLA is a … Continued

www.therangerstation.com

There aren't any C-clips in the exploded view. I believe the have spring clips that hold things together. It also shows a bearing and seal.

Thanks. I've been looking at that diagram - there's a bearing a few inches down inside the axle tube (on the passenger side) - I'm guessing that's the bearing that is shown in the exploded view. The shaft doesn't seem to ride on that bearing smoothly - it's sloppy in there, and I'm just not sure if that means that the bearing needs to be replaced. If so, that looks like a hard one to get to.

 

[Uncle Gump]

The bearing probably supports the CV... once it is in it most likely firms everything up.

 

[mimswk]

Yeah, I am kind of thinking the same thing. I'll stick it back together and see what happens!

 

[DankRanger99]

Does yours have the orange retainer ring? I have a 99 with SLA and the world is held together by a $20 retainer ring (metal ring encased in orange plastic). Mine pops out and I'm down 2 sets of manual hubs and it's parked now til I can get someone to offer ideas. Good luck!

 

[mimswk]

Does yours have the orange retainer ring? I have a 99 with SLA and the world is held together by a $20 retainer ring (metal ring encased in orange plastic). Mine pops out and I'm down 2 sets of manual hubs and it's parked now til I can get someone to offer ideas. Good luck!

The end of the CV is held in place with those orange retainer rings, yeah. They are a real pain to get to seat in there properly - I see folks doing all sorts of tricks to get them in and out using picks, etc. Once I figured it all out, they were easy to remove with just some retaining clip pliers with the straight tips (there are holes in the orange retainer) and went back in and seated with a little bit of help with a flat screwdriver blade.

My entire front axle shaft (inside the front axle, not the CV) on the passenger side slid out when I was working on all this. I couldn't figure out if it was normal or not, or where it rode on the bearing. Turns out, give it a few taps and it went in just fine. The c-clip on the end of the axle shaft must just be weak and allowed for it to come out easily.