93 ranger front diff crack!

[broughton88]

so i got a anouther ranger its got a 4 or 6'' suspension 3'' body and first snow fall i was using the 4x4 and it was kinda howly wen i was on it so i looked at front end and i and i see this slice on the top of the diff from the lift bracket i think its cause the bump stops are to small.. has this happend to anyone? i dont really wanna replace it hopin to just patch it..

 

[clvanhorn]

yes this is a common problem with the "cheaper" brands of lift kits... tons of info on here about it

 

[Will]

Yep, cheap lift brackets interfere with the housing. I guess you could JB Weld the hole.

 

[legoms013]

This is common, happens all the time.

Some have patched it with JB weld, and I suppose it is possibly to TIG weld a patch as well.

I'd probably look for another 3rd in a junk yard or here in the classifieds for a used one.

You need to extend the bumpstop down so that doesn't happen again, or change out your drop brackets for the non-diff punching ones (true new brackets that don't reuse the stock brackets).

Bummer dude! Post some pics so we can see!

 

[broughton88]

So is super lift and trail mast a cheap lift.. Ill post pics once I figur how.... Is there any way the cut could roled the metal in and the gears hit? Because it makes a funny noise in 4x4 mabe its just wheel bearings tho.

 

[legoms013]

So is super lift and trail mast a cheap lift.. Ill post pics once I figur how.... Is there any way the cut could roled the metal in and the gears hit? Because it makes a funny noise in 4x4 mabe its just wheel bearings tho.

By cheap they/I mean a kit that uses a drop plate to reuse the stock passenger side axle bracket....which is not ideal since as you have found out there is a clearance issue.

Does your passenger beam bracket look like this:

Junkie I'm stealing your pic for a moment...'

Yes it is possible that the shape of the diff has been damaged enough to contact the carrier and or the ring gears.....producing bad noises in 4x4.

Good looking Ranger BTW.

 

[broughton88]

Yeah kinda but my drop plate looks bigger..
Thanks

 

[legoms013]

Yeah kinda but my drop plate looks bigger..
Thanks

The one in my pic I think is 3" or 4". You probably have a 6" plate possibly.

 

[broughton88]

So what do you think? I have a cheap lift? Its got sway bar lift brackets so it seems ” ligit” lol

 

[4x4junkie]

I'd be willing to bet that water and mud/dirt got into the diff and hosed the gears if it's making a howling or gear whine noise. I would agree, finding another one at a junkyard might be the best option.

Junkie I'm stealing your pic for a moment...'

lol
That pic has been here on TRS for a very long while (and I've certainly used it in posts fairly frequently too), however I can't take the credit for actually having snapped the pic.
I wanna say that's Jim Oak's truck, but I can't be sure.

 

[broughton88]

Well im not going to do that seeing tho it needs wheel bearings and a lower ball joint so its gonna howl its not clunking or anything.. Id rather beat on it in 4wheel and break it then know the problem th haha. Ill do the bearings and ball joints this week end and see..