Driveline Whirr/Whine [‘96 Ranger 2.3l 4cyl 2wd 5 speed 170k]


Joined
Mar 26, 2021
Messages
2
Points
1
City
Seattle, WA
Vehicle Year
1996
Transmission
Manual
RPM specific noise. No tachometer so we’ll go based off of gear and speed. Occurs when decelerating in:
  • 2nd gear at 15mph
  • 3rd gear at 27mph
  • 4th gear at 47mph
Purchased in March 2021. Chronological list of work done:
  • Changed oil and filter
  • New tires all around
  • Lubed chassis
  • New timing belt and front seal
  • New fuel pump and filter
  • Changed differential fluid
  • Changed transmission fluid
  • New sparks, wires, and coils
  • New ujoints, lubed slip yoke
Note, I changed ujoints myself, seemed well balanced, no shake or noise up to 85mph.

The Issue:

As previously mentioned, there’s this whirr in the driveline. I’m too in my head about this and can’t tell if it’s the diff or if it’s just the engine braking / transmission braking. Does not happen when clutch is disengaged, turning corners doesn't exasperate it, and only happens at specific rpms.

Great truck, engine clean and purrs like a kitten. Clutch is going on 4 years old.

In first or second gear, between 5-10mph, truck bucks and hesitates some, almost feels mechanical like it’s in the driveline somewhere? May also be dirty fuel injectors so not too worried about this.

When I changed the diff fluid it was black. Plug had minimal metal shavings, just 1mm of very fine metal. I’ve checked this after another 3k miles and it’s clean still. NO CHIPS or cracks or uneven wear to the eye.

About a month later I got the wise idea to change ujoints. It was hell. Took 4 days. Got it back in lubed the slip yoke and the bucking stopped mostly. Was rusted firm to the diff yoke, took a bit to smack it loose.

Got it back together, hit 85mph on the highway, everything works great. Typical road noise, no shake or shimmy and life is pie.

Now 2 months later, I can’t tell if this whirr has always been there or not. Could be :
  • Road Noise
  • Wheel Bearing (?)
  • Diff Bearings or
  • Diff Loose Preload
  • Ring and Pinion worn
  • Effed ujoint
Only happens under specific conditions:
  • Deceleration
  • Clutch engaged
  • At specific RPM
I have an appointment for the 20th of Sept to get it looked at.

What am I missing here? I’d hate to take it in and be laughed out bc it’s just road noise lol.
 
Sounds like it could just be your tranny/engine brake. I have the same truck only a 93 model and you can hear the rpms going down, is that what you're hearing?
 

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