Rear end noise?

[mercpu66]

I just bought a 2000 4wd Ranger, when take off either forward or reverse it, makes clunk like something is lose. where should i look first? I was told this is a common problem, but it doesn"t feel right.

 

[mn_smokeater]

im no expert but could be u joints or the i belive slip joint in the drive shaft.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

On a 2000...sounds like the slip spline on the rear drive shaft. Ford came out with a service bulletin to fix this problem. It involved removing the drive shaft, cleaning the splines up and re lubing everything with PTFE lubricant.

 

[AllanD]

IT's the driveshaft that makes the noise, but it's axle dynamics
(torque reaction commonly called "Axle Wrap") that is the root cause.

preventing the driveshaft slip joint from sticking when under load
doesn't correct the root cause.

Adding Traction bars does.

In the end it's an annoying noise that basically means nothing, but it's disquieting.

I took great pains and finally got rid of that noise because it was an unnecissary distraction.

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