i have a 2001 ford ranger and my pinion seal is broken and i went to replace it and noticed that i had a lot of play...meaning i could move the actual pinion around ....my mechanic buddy told me that my differential was bad cause there should be no play at all any thoughts?

 

Your mechanic buddy sounds like he diagnosed it. Time to find a new-to-you axle in the junkyard.

Do you know your axle ratio? Also this is a good time to upgrade to a LS if you didn't have it.

 

It's 775 and I think 345 or something close I will check and what is LS? I'm still learning. Ha. Also would u happen to know if this issue would cause some jerking while in freeway and under load?