OK as you all know Colorado just got hit with alot of snow. Well I took the ranger out today and left it in 4x4 all day. Its about the only way to get around. My concern is....every now and then when I would stop for a light or something and then take of I would hear a weird sound....kind of like a clunk. What is this and is the normal?

 

could be ur ac, but that usually happens when u first start it it..... could also be the truck telling u it doesnt find snow too much fun

 

Manual or automatic hubs?? If you have auto hubs I would bet one of them is shot. If you have manual I am guessing u joint in front axle. Worst case I guess it could be your transfer case. I think thats just about all it could be on a 93. 4x4 work??
iain

 

I suggest that you look under your vehicle. There maybe ice/slush build up against something. Ice has been known to do some real wierd things and when the snows on the ground the sound bounces back up to the driver. Plus this won't cost you anything.

 

Yeah the 4x4 drive works and their manual hubs. I have oil in the front end and the u joints were replaced right after I bought it and that was in November of last year. I dunno maybe it just don't like snow or its slush or ice build up. But its just driving me crazy!

 

My 98 has the pulse vacuum hubs and when the 4x4 initially engages I get a clunk too. Fords in general have clunks in the driveline. My whole family drives fords. My brother has 3 4x4's a bronco 2 a ranger and a 250, my parents have an excursion and I have a ranger also. From what I understand the driveshafts can be an issue for clunking in some trucks. I dont have any regular noise but the 4x4 does occasionally make some noise. I would say unless it is causing driveability problems not to worry about it, but if it gets worse I would take it to a shop.

 

If you're in 4x4 all the time, there is also a phenomena where stress loads up in the drivetrain because all the wheels aren't spinning at exactly the same rate. Sometimes, as you start off, the break in traction allows a tire to suddenly "slip" and relieve that tension.

I actually get similar clunks from my rear locker when I'm driving it in similar conditions.

If there's any difference in your tire size, or if you've just been turning before you come to a stop, then that's the cause of the force loading up.

Unlike AWD vehicles, 4WD vehicles have no way to allow the front and rear wheels to turn at different speeds. So something has to "give" when you have a situation like turning or uneven tire size that makes the wheels want to turn at different speeds. Usually, a tire just slips and you don't necessarily notice it.

Not saying that's it -- I can't hear it or inspect your truck -- but it's a possibility.

 

my '01 owners manual states: "when engaging 4x4 while the vehicle is moving, a series of clunks and rattles is common. this is the front differential speeding up to match the speed of the rear differential" in a way, it's nice that ford mentioned this. i can imagine a lot of people would be thinking "oh, my trucks broken!"
also, i love shift-on-the-fly 4x4. and the '01+ you don't have to go in reverse to disengage 4x4. (nice!)

 

I don't have to go into reverse to disengage my 4WD. I have to go N if I'm in 4LO... but 4HI and can go in and out of normal. It goes in a lot smoother if I use reverse... but don't need to.

 

Most people seem to be suggesting that the clunking is normal. It is when "engaging" 4x4... but I dunno, I may have read her post wrong but I read it to mean that she is already in 4wd and gets a nasty clunk when starting again from a stop, as in when her tires grip and truck starts moving which to me is very suggestive of a u joint or cv.. but cv not really an option with 93. Um.. if you can jack the front end up, lock the hubs, jack the front up and spin the wheels, you should be able to tell if a u joint is gone. this works for my 98..and up I would assume, Im not sure if it works the same with the older rangers.

i never knew that ^^^ but it is really logical and makes perfect sense. This too could be the situation. Nothing wrong, that would be ideal. Good luck.
iain