Hello all, I have a 2001 xlt 4cyl, manual trans. My bearing on my tail shaft housing was acting up for a while before the driveshaft broke. I had it diagnosed professionally. I’m having a really hard time trying to find the right tail shaft housing, my question is, should I just replace the bearing and seal? Or can someone point me in the right direction as far as part numbers for the tail shaft housing? I just started a new remodeling business and am now having to use my civic and it sucks lol. I really need to get this thing going asap.

Thanks
-Ryan

 

Welcome to the forum

Drive shaft broke?
Why did it break, the professional diagnoses?

There is no "Bearing" in the tail shaft housing, just a seal
Output shaft does have a bearing but its in the rear of the main housing not the tail shaft housing, have to pull transmission out to repair it

You have an M5OD-R1(M5R1) manual transmission
Used in Rangers from 1988 thru 2012

2WD tail shaft housing is interchangeable in all years, only difference was with or without the hole for speedometer gear drive which ended in 1997
2001 doesn't need the speedometer hole

M5R1 2WD tail shaft housing seen here: https://www.ebay.com/itm/183778756974

Not cheap, but costs even more with speedometer hole, lol


2001 Ranger can have a 2.5l Lima SOHC engine, OR a 2.3l Duratec DOHC engine, this matters for the next suggestion

You can often find a used M5R1 cheaper than repairing current M5R1
If you think the rear output shaft bear is failing then you should look into this

While the tail shaft housing is interchangeable the Bell housing end is NOT
M5R1s were made ENGINE SPECIFIC at the front end, so you need one from a Ranger/B-series that matches your engine model, 2.5l or 2.3l, totally different engines

Go here: https://www.car-part.com/
2001
Ford Ranger
Part: transmission
skip areas
YOUR ZIPCODE
Search

New window opens
MT = manual transmission
Select MT for your engine model, i.e. 2.5l or 2.3l engine what ever you have
Search

It will show local wrecking yards with M5R1s that match your Ranger, and often a price sometimes miles

M5R1s were very reliable transmissions in all years, so not a big gamble getting used
If you call the local yards you may also find M5R1s with damage and wrecking yard will sell you just the tail shaft housing, must be 2WD, 4x4 won't work


Heads up, the M5R1s use ATF, yes automatic transmission fluid in a Manual Transmission, NOT gear oil

 

It was bucking while driving, usually shifting to 3rd. They did the clutch for me and told me that’s what it was, maybe they said bushing? Idk. I went ahead and ordered the one you linked because it was the last one. Lol now I’m wondering if it’s even worth replacing? I have the driveshaft already? Idk.

 

So new clutch and then drive shaft broke?

How far a part were these?
week, month, year?

 

No, the clutch was slipping so I had it replaced, while at the shop I asked them to look at why it bucks sometimes and they told me it was the tail shaft housing, this was about 3 years ago. The driveline just broke a couple weeks ago.

 

Odd, did they say tail shaft housing or tail shaft?

Trying to think of a way a tail shaft housing could effect drive shaft without being obviously broken, which a shop wouldn't let leave without replacing it
Anyway good luck with it and keep your eyes, and butt, open for any vibrations