Excessive slack in rear end, parts?

[mike 96 ws6]

It has a ton of slack and I'm wandering if I can get away with shimming the ring gear over to take up the slack. I'm just looking to get 1-2000 more miles before replacement. (Low on funds right now.)
If so who is the cheapest parts supplier for these parts and what all will I need (shim set, 2 side bearings...)?
It's a 99 Ranger xlt 3.0 manual 5 speed.

 

[scotts90ranger]

the most common cause of "slack" in a 7.5 is the spider gears, and unless you are super hard on it they'll live a surprisingly long life... believe me, I beat mine bad, it's bearings are shot, it used to leak (stopped for no apparent reason), bunch of play and I've TRIED to kill it with 15psi (near 200hp) out on the sand dunes and it still works fine.

 

[mike 96 ws6]

That's good to know. My truck has lived a life of easy street driving but it's got 200k miles so I was afraid the rear end was almost dead. I suppose I'll keep on running it like it is then for a while longer. Thanks for your help!

 

[scotts90ranger]

mine has almost 200K on it too, 4.10 gears and running 31" tires most of it

 

[colinrmitchell]

If it turns out to be your spider gears, I have a set that I took out of my 7.5" that are in good shape. I could ship them to you at a fair price if you are interested.

 

[Zachalanche]

It has a ton of slack and I'm wandering if I can get away with shimming the ring gear over to take up the slack. I'm just looking to get 1-2000 more miles before replacement. (Low on funds right now.)
If so who is the cheapest parts supplier for these parts and what all will I need (shim set, 2 side bearings...)?
It's a 99 Ranger xlt 3.0 manual 5 speed.

I had a pinoin nut come loose on me once. not sure how common that is but may be worth checking.

 

[mike 96 ws6]

If it turns out to be your spider gears, I have a set that I took out of my 7.5" that are in good shape. I could ship them to you at a fair price if you are interested.

I kinda doubt it. I have no issues when turning and with his much slack there would likely be some kind of binding between the differential / side gears. But I'll keep you in mind. Thanks!

 

[mike 96 ws6]

I had a pinoin nut come loose on me once. not sure how common that is but may be worth checking.

. I need to check that nut anyway. Actually I have a very slow leak out of the pinion seal that I may fix while I'm at it.