Output shaft play?

[NaomiTheNomad]

I have been chasing a vibration, all suspension components i have replaced and got new tires w/ balance and have done u-joints as well. My vibration has significantly reduced however im stuck with this output shaft play, it is where the yoke goes into the transmission, i can wiggle it up and down, side to side, the seal started to leak and i noticed the play is slowly getting worse, there is also a tail housing leak at the section that sits on the trans mount. Any words of advice on this? Im thinking its a bushing in there or a bearing that has gone awry. I can also see bolts to take off the tail housing to the transmission if needed, its a 5r44E for an 06 3.0 ranger but no manual i have read offers help with how to do this or symptoms of it. Want to know if its possible to do this with-ought removing the tranny and if im on the right track if thinking a bushing or bearing. Thanks!

 

[franklin2]

Probably is the bushing. I had a manual trans that had that problem. I pulled the driveshaft out and the yoke was worn. Bought a new yoke and installed it and a year later the vibration had come back. Pull the yoke, it was worn out again. Finally figured out there is a bushing in the tailshaft that was worn and it was ruining my yokes. After I changed that and put a new yoke in, no problems. So when you get into this, check your yoke, it may have been damaged by the bad bushing in the trans.

Here's a video of a guy taking one apart. One of the first things he does is take the tailshaft off. Looks like the rear mount is on the tailshaft though, so you will probably have to take a piece of plywood and put in on the pan with a jack to support the trans while you take it apart.