Worn Rear End . . .

[treeguy]

I took my 4.0L 4x4 auto, 2000 Ranger in today for an inspection at a mechanic's shop, lately I have noticed that when I put it into gear, there is a distinct "clunk", I was suspecting u-joints, but I was told that it was a worn rear end, with some "play" in it. My question is . . . what would remedy this? I am considering tackling this myself . . . I don't have the truck back yet, so I don't recall the gear ratio . . .

 

[strvger]

easiest would be top swap it out with a jy rear end. also probably the cheapest fix.
just my $.02.

 

[treeguy]

I have gone that route before (last summer in fact) and the used axle I purchased is now doing the same thing as my original axle (less than one year's use), so I am hesitant to repeat that type of "fix" with it seemingly being a short-term fix and not a long term fix.

 

[Hagan]

Is it a LS differential?

 

[treeguy]

1st one was, the replacement one is an open diff, (I do miss the LS though) . . . I kept the old one to tinker with, but no time . ..

 

[Mac]

I'd still go with a JY one even though you got bit once. I used car-part.com and found both a 4.10 and 3.55 8.8 open with under 20K miles on them for $350. They actually had the covers pulled for inspection. Owner did tell me that one of the axle flanges was bent but easy to replace with another one I have. He said a lot of the 4x4's come in with bent flanges from sliding sideways into a curb or something.
You wondering what the ratio is, does your old housing still have the id tag on it?
Dave of the Nord

 

[treeguy]

Ratio is 4.10 . ..

 

['99 EB Explorer]

I had that exact same problem with my old Caprice. The shop told me it would need a complete re-shim at the very least. I said "thank you" and kept driving it.. lol.