• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

Driveshaft timing question


Bracket racer

Active Member
Canada Military - Veteran
Joined
May 29, 2018
Messages
429
Reaction score
232
Points
43
Location
Socialist republic of Nova Scotia Canadastan
Vehicle Year
1991
Make / Model
Ranger supercab
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
Crap load
Tire Size
35X12.5 (bald so I don't break parts)
My credo
Low range in Nova Scotia on YouTube!
I pulled the driveshaft out of my 91 ranger to change a u joint. When it was apart on the bench I noticed the driveshaft is not timed correctly. It appears to never have been apart, is this normal.

39677
 


adsm08

Senior Master Grease Monkey
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
Ford Technician
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Sep 20, 2009
Messages
34,623
Reaction score
3,613
Points
113
Location
Dillsburg PA
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
31X10.50X15
There should be larger clocking splines to keep it from being put together wrong, but I see what you mean, where it looks like the joints aren't aligned correctly.

It also looks like that boot it together with zip ties, which would indicate it HAS been apart before.
 

scotts90ranger

Well-Known Member
RBV's on Boost
Joined
Feb 28, 2001
Messages
7,925
Reaction score
4,227
Points
113
Location
Dayton Oregon
Vehicle Year
1990, 1997
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Engine Size
2.3 Turbo
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6
Tire Size
35"
yes, from the factory they would have been stepless clamps, so it has been apart at some point
 

19Walt93

Well-Known Member
Ford Technician
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Nov 13, 2018
Messages
4,473
Reaction score
4,409
Points
113
Location
Canaan,NH
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
351
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Drop
3"
Tire Size
235/55R16
My credo
If you don't have time to do it right will you have time to do it over?
You are correct sir, that is clocked wrong and no, Ford didn't assemble it that way. I would expect that to cause vibration.
 

JOLENE_THE_RANGER

Active Member
Joined
Apr 20, 2018
Messages
469
Reaction score
202
Points
43
Location
long beach, ca
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
ford
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Automatic
the splines usually have a keyed section and only go on one way so im confused on how they got it together incorrectly
 

Dirtman

Former Middleweight Moss Fighting Champion
Joined
May 28, 2018
Messages
19,304
Reaction score
13,326
Points
113
Location
41N 75W
Vehicle Year
2009
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Lift
It's up there.
Total Drop
It's down there.
Tire Size
Round.
My credo
I poop in the furnace.
My only thought is that the two peices are perhaps not from the same truck. If one peice was replaced, even though it can only go on one way, they could potentially not be aligned the same way.

Or a new yoke was welded on at some point... poorly.

Ive also seen splines with 4 alignments so it could be clocked at every 90 degrees. But that apears to be more like 45 degrees off.

I'd take it apart and see whats up with the splines. If there is no alignment then simply fix it so its straight inline. If it has an alignment and its off, go to the junkyard and get a new shaft.
 

19Walt93

Well-Known Member
Ford Technician
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Nov 13, 2018
Messages
4,473
Reaction score
4,409
Points
113
Location
Canaan,NH
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
351
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Drop
3"
Tire Size
235/55R16
My credo
If you don't have time to do it right will you have time to do it over?
I've seen many driveshafts without master splines. I'd suggest pulling the darn thing apart and looking at it.
 

Bracket racer

Active Member
Canada Military - Veteran
Joined
May 29, 2018
Messages
429
Reaction score
232
Points
43
Location
Socialist republic of Nova Scotia Canadastan
Vehicle Year
1991
Make / Model
Ranger supercab
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
Crap load
Tire Size
35X12.5 (bald so I don't break parts)
My credo
Low range in Nova Scotia on YouTube!
Thanks guys, after I posted it I looked at the picture and thought, is that tie wraps?? Lol, good eye everyone! I've never seen a driveshaft not clocked and thought it weird, but, fighting with the inside u joint on the double-cardan I just got it back together and installed it. (Mama wanted to go for a rip and I was already an hour late)
So, I'll pull it apart and re clock it.

Thanks everyone!
 

Bracket racer

Active Member
Canada Military - Veteran
Joined
May 29, 2018
Messages
429
Reaction score
232
Points
43
Location
Socialist republic of Nova Scotia Canadastan
Vehicle Year
1991
Make / Model
Ranger supercab
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
Crap load
Tire Size
35X12.5 (bald so I don't break parts)
My credo
Low range in Nova Scotia on YouTube!
Well crap, was under the front end and noticed....the front right axle is not timed either!!!!!!!
 

snoranger

Professional money waster
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
RBV's on Boost
ASE Certified Tech
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Nov 25, 2007
Messages
13,052
Reaction score
13,523
Points
113
Location
Jackson, NJ
Vehicle Year
'79,'94,'02,'23
Make / Model
All Fords
Engine Type
2.3 EcoBoost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
I didn't ask for your life story, just answer the question!
I've seen many driveshafts without master splines. I'd suggest pulling the darn thing apart and looking at it.
I watched as a “mechanic” (who is now a supervisor at my job.) made a new master spline by smashing the 2 halves of the driveshaft together with a sledgehammer.
 

alwaysFlOoReD

Forum Staff Member
TRS Forum Moderator
TRS Banner 2012-2015
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Apr 13, 2009
Messages
13,868
Reaction score
5,029
Points
113
Location
Calgary, Canada
Vehicle Year
'91, '80, '06
Make / Model
Ford, GMC,Dodge
Engine Size
4.0,4.0,5.7
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
You work for the government?
 

snoranger

Professional money waster
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
RBV's on Boost
ASE Certified Tech
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Nov 25, 2007
Messages
13,052
Reaction score
13,523
Points
113
Location
Jackson, NJ
Vehicle Year
'79,'94,'02,'23
Make / Model
All Fords
Engine Type
2.3 EcoBoost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
I didn't ask for your life story, just answer the question!

alwaysFlOoReD

Forum Staff Member
TRS Forum Moderator
TRS Banner 2012-2015
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Apr 13, 2009
Messages
13,868
Reaction score
5,029
Points
113
Location
Calgary, Canada
Vehicle Year
'91, '80, '06
Make / Model
Ford, GMC,Dodge
Engine Size
4.0,4.0,5.7
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Oh, you poor guy....lol
 

19Walt93

Well-Known Member
Ford Technician
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Nov 13, 2018
Messages
4,473
Reaction score
4,409
Points
113
Location
Canaan,NH
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
351
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Drop
3"
Tire Size
235/55R16
My credo
If you don't have time to do it right will you have time to do it over?
I watched as a “mechanic” (who is now a supervisor at my job.) made a new master spline by smashing the 2 halves of the driveshaft together with a sledgehammer.
That's not a mechanic, that's a failed blacksmith.
 

RussCowdin

New Member
Joined
May 5, 2020
Messages
8
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Location
Grand Junction CO
Vehicle Year
1992
Make / Model
Ford Ranger MSE
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
Stock
Total Drop
Stock
Tire Size
Factory
I'm having trouble finding a replacement boot for my front drive shaft. Anybody know what part number I can look for? I measured the shaft areas at 1.7 and 2 inches but can't find a boot with those dimensions. And now I have to go check if I timed the shafts correctly before I resinstall them.
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Month


Kirby N.
March Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top