Rear end troubles

[New Ranger Owner]

I just bought a 04 Ranger xlt fx4. It's got 153k on it. About a week after I bought it I started to notice a slight vibration mixed with a clunking noise when taking off from a dead stop. (Seems like it's coming from the rear end) This is the only time it happens and it stops once I get up to about 5 mph. I was thinking bad u-joint as there is about an 1/8 inch of play in the drive shaft when I turn it by hand. Any other suggestions on what it might be? Or am I accurate on the u-joint? I'm no pro when it comes to working on trucks but I know my fair share. So i'm looking for all the help that I can get!

 

[Big Jim M]

Any play at all that can be felt/seen by hand in a u-joint is too much. I think you have found the problem.
Big Jim

 

[gw33gp]

Is that 1/8" play in the differential or in the driveshaft itself. Backlash in the differential is normal but there should be no play in the driveshaft. Look at the u-joints when you rotate. There should be no movement between the u-joint and the driveshaft.

The slip joint can bind and cause a clunk when taking off from a stop. That is a fairly easy fix. You just need to take it apart and lube it with the proper grease.

 

[enjr44]

Is that 1/8" play in the differential or in the driveshaft itself. Backlash in the differential is normal but there should be no play in the driveshaft. Look at the u-joints when you rotate. There should be no movement between the u-joint and the driveshaft.

Beat me to it. Drive shaft = no play in u-joints at all. Differential usually has some play when you move it back and forth.

 

[New Ranger Owner]

The play was in the differential so I think i am all good there. Was messing around under it this weekend and replaced a couple of seals in the rear end and opened everything up to take a look. I'm thinking I might suffer from the infamous slip yoke issue. So when I get some time i'll pull the drive shaft out and grease the slip yoke up and see if the problem is solved!