Intermittent vibration (very bad) from front driveshaft area, in 2wd

[liquid10]

I have 2004 Ranger 4x4 (4.0L 5 spd 120K). Today I started getting intermittent vibrations from the front of the truck. Sometimes it was bad enough to violently shake the whole truck (usually at speeds below 20mph or so). This started happening in 2wd, but I tried switching to 4wd and still had the vibration. The weird thing is that it sometimes goes away. I heavilly suspect the CV joint on the front driveshaft as the problem, but am not positive on that. The front CV axles feel fine, the rear driveshaft/u joints feel fine, the front u joint appears to be fine but the shaft has quite a bit of slop in it.

I'm wondering if anyone has had a simlar issue and what the cause turned out to be. I need to figure this out quickly

Thanks

 

[Kcameron13]

I have, it was the cv joint as you said. I would pull your driveshaft and see if that solves your problem. Easiest way to diagnosis.

 

[CarsonChris]

I didn't have that violent of a vibration but when my hub broke I would feel it around corners. Driving straight the vibration went away.

 

[Andy D]

I had a CV joint on my BMW that would intermittently clank like a loose wheel about to fall off. When I had the axle off , I exercised it by hand, something grated. Wasn't really loose , just chewed up. But what a noise

 

[UnholyPancake]

Are you still running the stock pulse hubs or an aftermarket manual set? I had this issue myself, ended up being bad bearing carrier inside my aftermarket hubs, the axle would bind somewhat and cause some severe vibrations. Sounded almost like the front tire was "dribbling" itself down the road.

 

[Andy D]

Just glad the Rat doesnt have any of those iffy vacuum hubs. Heh heh , Just Noob luck I got a fairly well appointed Ranger in the Rat, despite the peeling chrome /plastic housing easy working manual hubs. Other than the missing electric shift on the 1354 the The Rat lacks luxo features. But it has a 4.0 and 5spd. 4X4. Didnt have a clue about Fords when purchased. It was an impulse buy.