I have a 97 Ranger 2.4L, 5 speed transmission with a one piece driveshaft. The rubber on the balancer on the front slip yoke, or vibration damper has disinigrated so the ring is now rolling around the driveshaft. I have been able to temporarily secure the ring so it does not rest on the shaft. I stopped at the local Ford dealer and had a technician look at the situation as I had no idea what the piece does. Ford could not tell me what it is called and said that they cannot order a replacement. I found two references on this site to the above. I plan on checking with local salvage yards for a replacement driveshaft. I have a couple of questions that will help me not look like a total fool:
1. What is the part called. It was connected to the yoke coming out of the transmission.

2. Will it hurt the tranny to just cut it off and not have it on the drivetrain?

3. What does the part actually do?

Thanks,
Jerry

 

I had the same thing happen on a 94.I believe it supposed to act as a harmonic balancer.I just dropped the driveshaft and slid it off with no ill effects.If you get a strange vibration after doing that just take it to a drivetrain shop and have them balance the shaft.

 

+1

 

Thanks for the replies. I was hoping that taking if off and balancing the shaft if needed would be the solution. I found several shafts with the rings still on at salvage yards. They looked to be in worse condition than the one that came off. Thanks again.

Jerry