Bad clinking noise!

[RedRanger_97]

I have 97 ranger ext. cab, 4.0, 4R55E tranny. I have had a noise since I bought the truck, It happens between gears like drive to reverse, also when u go to slow down and then take back off. I have done a driveshaft conversion with new u-joints and that had no effect on it (thought the slip joint was bad). To describe the noise I would say it sounds like a keyway slipping when the drivetrain changes direction. The t-case flange and the rearend pinion are splined so I don't think that is the problem, so I have narrowed it down to think something in the t-case. The sound seems to be coming from that area of the truck too. Anyone else have an idea I would appreciate it.

 

[actbubba]

I had a similar clunking on a 96 ranger I had. A new driveshaft fixed it though. They said it was the slip joint sticking. I am not sure what your problem is but you should be able pick a used transfer case somewhere between $50-100 at a junkyard. Remember an explorer case will work in your ranger. There are lots of them around. You can also get them on ebay but shipping is high.

 

[UrbanRedneckKid]

And by "driveshaft conversion" I'm assuming you swapped in a 1-piece shaft...

Sounds to me like play in the slip-yoke. Mine does the same thing, it also does it when I shift(manual trans, not slush-box). It is a very common issue, although it is not an issue because you drive a Ranger not a Navigator. If it does turn out to be the shaft, you can just put some grease in it and it will get better.

 

[RedRanger_97]

Yes I put a one piece from an 03 ranger with 23000 miles on it. the shaft was in great shape

 

[jtfoxman]

I think all Rangers do it from our generation. 1 piece shaft fixes it, but it shouldn't cause any problems if you don't change it.

 

[RedRanger_97]

I picked up a low mileage t-case pretty cheap and I'm gonna swap it just to make sure