Thank the Lord I was only about 100m from my house when it happened. I was driving like normal and made a left turn. As soon as I came out of the turn a popping and jolting noise starting coming from the rear of my truck. I slowly lost drive power as the truck came to a stop. I tried putting it in different gears(1st, Rev) and even tried 4H and 4L. Nothing the engine just spun with no drive. I then got out and looked and my Left axle and wheel had CAME OUT OVER A FOOT from the normal position. I jacked the back up and tried pushing the wheel back in but couldn't get it back in all the way. With the axle mostly back in there was still no pull in any gear or 4X4 mode.

Anyone know what happened and about how much this will cost to fix. I appreciate any help! I have a picture on my cell phone of the Axle out on the side of the road if anyone is interested. I cant find my BlackBerry cord to upload it but I'll send it to your cell. Thanks again!

Its a 98 3.0 Extra Cab by the way.

 

Thats strange that 4x4 didnt work. It should have at least let you go FWD. Anyway, it sounds as though your axle snapped. I did a quick ebay search for "Ranger axle shaft" and you can get one for about 65 plus shipping.

98 99 00 01 02 FORD EXPLORER L. AXLE SHAFT: eBay Motors (item 220608934512 end time Oct-17-10 06:55:33 PDT)

 

have a set of 8.8 axle shafts....
but yeah my buddys jeep did that at about 50 mph and the wheel axle and everything went rolling off into some guys yard. lucky no one was hurt.

 

I could see most of the Axle while it was out and I dont think it snapped. I could be wrong. I looked in my Haynes Manual and read about the C Lock Clip. Think this could be the problem? Its now dark here and Im not going try and rip it apart till morning but would like a heads up and start point.
Im still concerned with the FWD not working at all. Your help is much appreciated.

 

jack up the rear and try and pull the shaft...if it comes out and looks obviously broken its a no brainer, if it comes out and looks like it has a machined grove on the end of the shaft its the c clip, if it doesnt come out at all, pop the diff cover and inspect the side gears and spider gears.

 

Ive got money on the C clips

 

the thing that got me is that 4wd didnt work...im wondering if something happened it the tcase and maybe the rear driveshaft jerked and broke something in the diff

 

Well Im about to start looking for the cause and fix. I'll post some pics for you guys. Man this sucks!

 

dont be surprised to find chunks in your diff

 

Dude... your like 15 mins from my house. PM me and i'll text you help and/or come over and help wrench. I have a spare 8.8 axle but I don't think the shafts will work. And pull a part axles cost like $12 bucks.

 

Well the Problem is SOLVED! After hours and hours of calling and driving around to Pick n pulls with little luck or having to wait a few days I finally decided that a entire rear end was the ticket. I got a Rear End out of a 03 4x4 which was the 7.5 instead of my original 8.8 for $200 w/ 70,000 miles on it from a place with the best customer service Ive ever experienced. The owner was a Nascar driver back in the early 80's. The place is Roy Y auto parts in Spanaway, WA. I recommend it for any part needs.
The swap took about 4 hours with having to go out and grab a tool here and there. The Parking brake cable was the hardest part. lol. Now just to figure out why my 4x4 wasnt working.
I now have another Rear End with alot of useful parts if anyone is in need. Thanks everyone for your help!

 

My old diff is the 7.5 too. Just remembered I was wrong earlier. Just went from the 10" to the 9" rear brakes.