noisy d35, bad ring and pinion?

[chazawazzle]

hey guys been a while. i have a new problem now. my 1990 4x4 started to make a noise that started as a squeek and grew into a squeel then into a jingle. it took a while for this to happen but now it just sounds like jingling car keys all the way to 35mph in fourth gear then it quits. I have taken it to the mechanic and he couldnt find the origin of the noise so i have just been driving it and being annoyed all the time because of the noise.


Anyway, i went to jiffylube today and they checked my front diff and a butt load of metal flakes were in my fluid the guy said that my ring and pinion is separated just enough to work but i need to replace that stuff and it would probably be my mystery noise.

is he right? i have to find this mystery noise and fix the problem.

any help?

 

[RangerSVT]

You had metal shavings, but were they small or were they more like chunks of metal?? It is possible it is your R&P, and if I were you, I wouldn't put any money into that housing. As many d35's as they have laying around in the junkyard, I'd grab a complete front diff from a u pull it yard, just unbolt the beam at the pivot bracket and take the entire beam. Just make sure you check the axle ratio to make sure it is the same. Doing it this way will also help you with less down time with your truck
SVT

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Does this noise happen in 4x4 only?

 

[RangerSVT]

A couple more questions...Do you have auto or manual hubs and if manual do you leave them locked??
SVT

 

[chazawazzle]

2wd or 4wd and manual hubs that i dont keep locked in

 

[RangerSVT]

If its making the noise in 2WD and your front hubs are unlocked then it's not the front end making the noise...I'd check your driveshaft's 3 U-joints as more than likely its one of them and its dry/damaged...While you are under there check your carrier bearing as well
SVT

 

[chazawazzle]

thanks will do.

 

[RangerSVT]

Yep, let us know what you find
SVT

 

[chazawazzle]

how do you check the carrier bearing?

 

[yyc_tbird_sc]

Why check the carrier bearing? If your hubs aren't locked in, and you're not in 4wd, then it's not the carrier bearing. It is also not the driveshaft u-joints, or axle u-joints. Again, if the transfer case is in 2wd and your hubs are unlocked, then none of this will be spinning.

However, check your hubs. If you have the stock Ford manual hubs or the Warn hubs, then there is a bearing inside of them. This could be a culprit. if you have MileMarker hubs, then there is a bushing inside them and mine didn't last all that long...definitely won't ever be buying another product from them again.

Check your wheel bearings. Also check the dust shield behind your brakes. Something could have been scraping for a bit and have broken off and now jingling around.

If it's none of these items, then check your rear driveshaft. It could be worn out and making noise. I'm not sure if you have a regular cab or extended cab, but if you have an extended cab then you should be checking the carrier bearing on mid-drive shaft for any play. Also checking the u-joints on the rear drive shaft.

If it makes this sound when you put it in 4wd or lock the hubs in, then it could be any of the 3 axle shaft u-joints, the driveshaft u-joints, front differential, spindle bearings, etc. If this is the case, the carrier bearings are only able to be checked by pulling the pumpkin out and measuring using a dial indicator to check backlash and by physically looking over the bearings. This will be a last resort. Check the easy things first!

 

[RangerSVT]

I didn't make myself clear enough, my fault. I meant the rear driveshaft will be the problem, and the carrier bearing is the part that supports the rear driveshaft in a 2 piece setup. One of your rear driveshaft U-joints is the problem...
SVT

 

[yyc_tbird_sc]

RangerSVT, you were clear in your post, I was tired last night when I responded and missed what you were saying. LOL.

 

[RangerSVT]

RangerSVT, you were clear in your post, I was tired last night when I responded and missed what you were saying. LOL.

It's kool

how do you check the carrier bearing?

Grab the driveshaft and see if you can move it side to side and up and down...All it is, is rubber holding the bearing in place, so if the rubber is bad/broken it will move without resistance, if you grab it and it moves a little, say less than 1/4 inch but takes some effort, then chances are it is still good. If you look at it you should see some webbing that the rubber is formed into, if you see any breaks thats how you tell if it is bad...
SVT

 

[chazawazzle]

found the mystery noise, it was the carrier bearing after all! thanks for the advice fellas.