driveshaft supposed to rotate?

[bozone802]

so my room mate has a 2006 ranger 4wd with a 4.0
he was complaining about his truck vibrating at normal highway speeds. he asked me why i thought that was and i looked at his truck and while in drive in 2wd, the front driveshaft was still spinning. so i told him that it was probably his vacuum hubs had broken and were stuck engaged.
just to be sure it wasnt something little, he had the tires rotated and the steering aligned. that didnt fix it.
the guy at the shop he took it to told him there was nothing to worry about because the front axle used on the 06 rangers was supposed to rotate all the time.
does anyone know if that is true? sounds like bs to me. am i right or do i have something new to learn today?

 

[tanbuddy]

yea they use a live axle, i think 2000 and newer had it

 

[exbass94]

Yes, 2000 and newer Rangers don't have locking hubs. They're "locked in" all the time, even in 2wd.

 

[joecool85]

Yeah, my 2000 has solid hubs so the front axle always spins. Only disconnect is at the T-case.

 

[CHKNFKR]

Yup its a live axle like everyone else said. You'd better start looking elsewhere for that vibe. I'd start by having the tires balanced, inspect u joints, if its got a two piece rear driveshaft i'd check the carrier bearing.

 

[CHKNFKR]

If all that checks out i'd start pulling wheel bearings.

 

[02 ranger]

Yes, 2000 and newer Rangers don't have locking hubs. They're "locked in" all the time, even in 2wd.

My 2002 ranger 4x4 4.0l, the front axle only spins like 10-20 degrees either way..? Is that bad?

 

[bozone802]

wow thanks for all the answers today, turns out i learned something new today

 

[IRKillroy]

the driveshafts are balanced as well, so look for broken off tabs that are welded on at the factory. You'll notice the missing tab, so if you can't tell then you're probably ok.