2000 Ranger with/without live axle?

[BC ranger]

Alrighty...so I have a 2000 Ford Ranger XLT Offroad, doorjamb sticker says 03/00 so I assumed it was built before the July '00 switchover to the live axle system. I do a lot of winter driving in remote areas so bought AVM hubs to install just so the pulse vacuum hubs wouldn't fail me at an inopportune time. Admittedly I didn't actually check to see that I had the pulse vacuum hubs but just assumed because of the doorjamb sticker that I had them....I know I know...

I went to the mechanic to have the AVM hubs installed & he said they won't fit on my truck, that basically "it doesn't have hubs really, they are just connected right to the driveshaft"(?) That's the gist of what he said but I've probably mangled his words, anyway the hubs don't fit so ergo it's a live axle setup right?

I've read through the various threads on this subject but I'm not too certain what my situation is...so I have the live axle setup & don't need to worry about faulty locking hubs? Did I just read the freakin' doorjamb sticker wrong??

 

[Fx4wannabe01]

Sounds like you've got live axles.


Pull your center cap off and look....if there's a big nut with threads stickin' out of it, you've got live axles.

Here's a pic of mine...

BTW....that production cut-off you've listed.....is the cutoff between '00 and '01 model trucks. Alot of '00 trucks are live axles. Some got PVH hubs, some got live axles.

 

[BC ranger]

Awesome, thanks for the response. I'm going to check that out when I get home tonight.

 

[Jacks2K4x4]

So, I also have a 2000 Ranger with a build date of 01/00. I pulled my center caps off and I see I have the live axle setup. Same as the picture above. I have this humming noise when driving and changes pitch with speed. I thinking wheel bearings. What is the procedure for taking the hub/ bearing assembly off? I see the instuctions for the PVH style but not for the live axle style.

 

[Fx4wannabe01]

take the rotors off, take the nut off the CV shaft, then there's 3 bolts on the backside of the knuckle...take those out and you've removed your wheelbearing/hub assemblys.

You'll also either have to remove the ABS sensor or unplug it to remove the bearing/hub assy's.

 

[Jacks2K4x4]

Thanks Fx4 for the reply. I'm just wondering if the noise is the bearings. I raised the front of the truck and checked for play at the wheels. I felt none and when spinning them by hand, there was nothing odd sounding. When do bearings usually wear out on average? I have 110,000 miles on mine.

 

[Toreadorranger]

Thanks Fx4 for the reply. I'm just wondering if the noise is the bearings. I raised the front of the truck and checked for play at the wheels. I felt none and when spinning them by hand, there was nothing odd sounding. When do bearings usually wear out on average? I have 110,000 miles on mine.

You need to grab the top and bottom of the tire when its in the air and try and "wiggle" it. It should be solid, if it moves at all, even just a little bit then your bearings (and or balljoints) are either bad or on their way out.

 

[Jacks2K4x4]

I'll have to set the truck on jack stands and try it. I only had it on the truck supplied jack and I really couldn't tug on the tires like I wanted to. All balljoints have been replaced.

 

[Jacks2K4x4]

What size socket do I need for the large nut on the axle. I had thought I seen it here somewhere, but I can't find it now.
Thanks.