Drivetrain slack

[xploridaho]

I have a 2002 Ranger 4x4 4dr with an automatic and 4.0 extra cab. When I get up to around 60mph or higher I have a vibration in the drivetrain. My first thought was u joint. I got home jacked it up to check for slope in the u joints and found none. However I did notice that when I try and spin the driveline by hand there seems to be slack in the drivetrain. I know there should be some, but how much is too much. Also any ideas on the vibration would help. I just bought this truck a week ago and it has 106,000 miles on it. Thanks in advance.

 

[iaresev]

Does your truck have a carrier bearing? That'd be my second thing to check in to. On my old 96 ext cab 2wd, the carrier bearing caused a pretty noticeable vibration at speed and was very annoying around 60mph, then it self destructed. Was pretty hard to find the right part to replace it but I used a carquest part # I found here on the forum.

 

[Big Jim M]

Didja?

Didja have the tranny in neutral? Didja really get tough with the attempted movement of the U's? Didja look closely to see if there is ANY rust looking power aroud the U's bearings?
It can be deceptive sometimes unless you do all the right things to find bad U's.
If you find NEW looking u's under there then there is a high possiblilty you have a warped shaft or most times simply bad wheel balance.
Big JIm

 

[xploridaho]

It doesnt have a carrier bearing. This truck has run flawless for the past week. Just started the problem on my way home today. No rust dust around the u joints. Going down the road I can put it in neutral and no difference. I will jack it up tomorrow and get a little better look at it. Any other ideas?

 

[Big Jim M]

Yep!

It doesnt have a carrier bearing. This truck has run flawless for the past week. Just started the problem on my way home today. No rust dust around the u joints. Going down the road I can put it in neutral and no difference. I will jack it up tomorrow and get a little better look at it. Any other ideas?

Yes it has carrier bearings.. If they are bad you should have some fierce growling coming with the vibration.. By far the tires are most suspect.. I'd be taking them to a NAME BRAND tire store to get the balance checked.
Big JIm

 

[xploridaho]

Well that is strange, when I pulled the driveline to check the u joints there was no carrier bearing. The vibration turned out to be from water getting into the driveline. Drained it and reinstalled and vibration is gone. Still feel a thud when I take off from a stop, not sure what that is though.

 

[Big Jim M]

Sorry

Well that is strange, when I pulled the driveline to check the u joints there was no carrier bearing. The vibration turned out to be from water getting into the driveline. Drained it and reinstalled and vibration is gone. Still feel a thud when I take off from a stop, not sure what that is though.

My boo boo... I had reference to the third member carrier that carrys the ring gear.. Had my head under my wing about a driveline carrier..
Big JIm