MD05 help?

[BrianR]

Hi guys! Been lurking on TRS for a decade but this is my first post, not sure if post location is correct. I’m hoping someone can give me some advice. Current Ranger is an 02 edge, 4x4, 4.0, 5 speed MD05. 215k miles. It’s been my daily driver for almost 10 years. I recently had the rear main seal replaced. Since then I’ve developed a rattle/scraping sound that as far as I can tell by where the sound is coming from, is transmission related. It’s not crazy loud, at higher rpms the engine noise drowns it out. It’s loudest in 5th gear, then 3rd and 1st. 4th being the quietest followed by 2nd. Can still be heard in neutral but only when truck is in motion. No change when clutch is depressed but shifting from 5th to 4th basically cuts the noise in half. Hence my head scratching and advice searching. It sounds almost like a crunchy bearing but I can’t say 100%. Fluid is due for a change, about 50k since last time, but it’s full and doesn’t look terrible. Timing chains were done at 200k. I tried to get a recording of the sound but my phone won’t pick it up. Anyway, any advice from you fine gentlemen would be greatly appreciated.

 

[SenorNoob]

Nice truck. Welcome to TRS!

Definitely sounds internal to the transmission by the description. Heard in neutral only if the truck is moving pretty much says back half the transmission. Maybe output shaft bearing?

 

[BrianR]

Hey thanks man! I love this little truck. TRS has helped me many times over the years. Output was my thought also but seems odd that the issue popped up out of nowhere immediately following the rear main replacement.

 

[SenorNoob]

Just a thought, could something be rubbing the driveshaft? That would only happen when moving. Though I wouldn't expect changing gears to change the sound...

 

[BrianR]

I checked heat shields and everything else within proximity to trans/driveshaft, nothing rubbing or out of place. My brother is a much better mechanic than myself. I’m meeting him this morning to take a drive and hopefully get a better idea. The fact that 4th and 2nd are noticeably quieter is the odd thing. With clutch depressed, while in motion going back and forth between 2,3,4,5 without even letting the clutch out changes the sound pretty dramatically. I don’t know man. Probably swing by the local transmission shop next week and see what they think.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Might just be your throwout bearing...do you rest your foot on the clutch a lot while cruising along in gear not needing to shift?

 

[BrianR]

Nope, I learned that lesson the hard way left foot is always on the floorboard. Throw out bearing was replaced along with clutch/flywheel about 15k miles ago.