Bump for an update from the OP

 

well I drove it in to a shop to be diagnosed and sure enough, they tell me the entire rear end is shot. He wanted a thousand bucks out the door to throw a new one in, and i cant afford that. if i found a used one from a junkyard how tough of a job would swapping it in be? I've read the exploer how to already but thats all ive seen

 

The housing is shot? Doubt it, you could rebuild for 300-400 TOPS, probably even cheaper. Get a JY housing and install, or upgrade to an Ex and still be a few hundred below that 1k.

 

im not exactly sure what it was, he just said its all bad and would be cheaper for a new one? I dont know much at all about diffs and all the parts in the rear but i think i need to take it in for a different opinion

 

...and to think two weeks ago it was a $15 job. get a junkyard axle and put it in.

i can do a how to on this if you need me to, your axle might be shot by then but ill be doing one soon. have you even checked the fluid in it?

 

well it made some noise before i even noticed the leak, and i wasnt driving it for about 2 or 3 weeks while i id the bodywork and paint, and since then its just sat. when I did drive it i checked it every day and added gear oil to it. it would cover the noise for a few miles then it came back.

 

I guess for now ill change the fluid and seal and hope that gets me by until i can afford a new axle and find out how to do it myself

 

BUMP

So i replaced the entire rear end, going to do a write up later tonight probably.
BUT THE NOISE IS STILL THERE. its not in the rear end, and im 90% sure its not the transmission (i paid a mechanic shop to do a clutch 2k miles ago) what else in the driveline could be making noise!?

 

transfer case, u-joints, wheel bearings, cv axles, another bad rear axle

 

I need help replacing my rear pinion bearing in a 04 ranger I can’t find any info on it I have tryed replace if ‘‘em but I just can’t get the play out of the pinion and it’s causing it to grind and slip I have read some articles about shaving the pinion down to get the rear bearings to fit but I am not sure if anyone sees this I would appreciate some help thanks.