1998 ranger 2wd stepside reg cab 2.5 4 cyl 5 speed

new rear shackles and brackets
new brakes drums rotors all around
new ball joints all 4


truck is making a creaking/cracking sound from take off. thought it was my busted shackles before but now that they are replaced, im not sure. I htink it has somthing to do with the drive shaft. The ring on the front of the driveshaft came off. I think it's the balancer? I jb welded it back on. I am not sure what this sound is. Only under lots of torque on take offs. If I feather the clutch, its fine. I don't think its the thump associated with most rangers driveshaft yokes. I also get excessive vibration in the steering wheel over 60 mph. It does not happen very consisitently. Sometimes it's terrible and I can hardly keep the wheel in my hands and other times there is nothing. Any ideas.

Thanks

 

have a similar problem.

2000 Ford Ranger 2.5l 5 speed manual.
When I start off in first gear, I get a riving that gets progressively faster as the vehicle get faster. Then it seems to disappear after a certain speed. There are also clicks and clunks that occur when I give it the gas harder starting off.
The engine does not do it in neutral (revving the engine) or while the clutch peddle is depressed. I got underneath and grabbed the drive shaft and shook it. It did not seem to move. The sound only seems to come out when the clutch peddle is being let off, and throttle is being applied. I noticed that the truck only begins to drive when the clutch peddle is almost to the top. So I have plans to replace the: pilot bearing, pressure plate throw out bearing clutch, and slave cylinder. I am hoping that will fix the noise. But it may not.

I also get a roaring/heavy vibration right at 65 to 70 mhp that goes away once I pass 70. I suspected alignment. After I get new tires I will get an allignment to see if that goes away.

Any ideas?

 

my problem was cured with a new rear universal joint. it was ten bucks and took twenty minutes to install. truck makes no noises and vibration is gone.

 

Ok, changed the back (and front) u joint and that seemed to do it for the clicking and riving. Did the clutch just because of mileage on the vehicle. but weird thing is I still get a faint but distinct rumble or low vibration right at 70 and goes away at 74. It seems to come from the rear or center of the vehicle, but I am still a little uncertain.
I had the ranger aligned and new tires with balance, so I am still at a loss. The rumble was there before the fix. I know put the drive tran back on the same way.
Any thoughts?