HELP axle noise

[rhino_rampage89]

I have a 98 ranger with a 5 speed 4x4. I was in 4low and went to back up in the snow. I forgot the parking brake was set and it went back, then all of a sudden made a loud crunch/thump sound. I got out of the snow, put it in 23 wheel drive and pulled off. I made a left turn and it thumped while i turned and made the back of the truck hop when it did it. when I was going straight it seems fine though. Does anyone have any idea's what it could be or is my best be pulling the diff cover and investigating. I don't have a garage and there is snow here so if i can get help info on what it might be it would be greatly appreciated

 

[rhino_rampage89]

well i figued it out, I pulled the diff cover and half a spider gear was laying in the bottom. Are the spider and side gears the same for every 7.5?

 

[strvger]

should be. just make sure you get the Ford 7.5 and not the Chevy 7.5's. they are different and don't interchange. that happened to me once.

 

[dangerranger83]

Thats the same thing that hapened to my truck before I got it, dad and me didnt know wherer the sound was coming from and was making a huge clunking sound every now and then. Well one day I noticed a the diff. lieaking and saw that the cover had a hole in it. Well upon furter inspection we took the diff. cover off and out came 7 peices of a spider gear. At the time I wish I had know about the 8.8 swap so that my truck would have the stronger rear end.

If your going to replace the rear end I would do the 8.8 swap.