professor229
Active Member
- Joined
- Dec 24, 2021
- Messages
- 129
- Reaction score
- 77
- Points
- 28
- Location
- Minnesota
- Vehicle Year
- 2004
- Make / Model
- Ford Ranger
- Transmission
- Automatic
Good morning.... I still have some noise coming from the back end and am pretty sure that it is the U joints.... and with 106,000 miles on it, the time has come... I have NOT replaced U joints in anything for over 30 years... probably closer to 40 years ago.... so I need a refresher and advice....
I know that the drive shaft was marked to keep the balance integrity the same.... with a scratch or paint; whatever... I know that a good six point socket/wrench needed to be used so you didn't round off the four bolts.... and I know we used two sockets, one larger for the u joint to sit on when you pound on a smaller socket on the "other side" ..... after removing the retainer clips.....
Then the replacement was much the same using the two sockets to tap in the new u joints and making sure the retaining clips were seated and secure...
Now for some questions.... Are both the front and rear U joints the same on a Ranger? Do I need to replace both? Is there a brand name better than others? Is there a brand name to avoid?
Should I try to replace the front seal on the tranny housing and can this seal be carefully tapped in to place? Is there a back seal that needs to be replaced? What else am I missing?
Thanks for holding my hand.... LOL... it is much appreciated....
I know that the drive shaft was marked to keep the balance integrity the same.... with a scratch or paint; whatever... I know that a good six point socket/wrench needed to be used so you didn't round off the four bolts.... and I know we used two sockets, one larger for the u joint to sit on when you pound on a smaller socket on the "other side" ..... after removing the retainer clips.....
Then the replacement was much the same using the two sockets to tap in the new u joints and making sure the retaining clips were seated and secure...
Now for some questions.... Are both the front and rear U joints the same on a Ranger? Do I need to replace both? Is there a brand name better than others? Is there a brand name to avoid?
Should I try to replace the front seal on the tranny housing and can this seal be carefully tapped in to place? Is there a back seal that needs to be replaced? What else am I missing?
Thanks for holding my hand.... LOL... it is much appreciated....