Hello, I recently picked up a 96 Ranger. 2.3L, 5 speed, 2wd. It has around 130k on it. My problem is intermittent. Sometimes it is when you are decelerating or braking. I'd have to drive it around a little more to see if it happens when you accelerate, but so far I don't think it does. This occurs at any speed.
When it happens you can hear a grinding type noise in the rear, then it will start to buck/jerk. It almost feels like you are dumping the clutch or something. I tried to see if it was brake related, but it also occurred when I was decelerating with no brakes. I'm going to go pick up a manual at AutoZone today, so I can do some reading and I have also done some research here.

This is my first truck since I was 16, so a lot of this is new to me. From other posts, it sounds like it could be something to do with the drum brakes, or U-Joints. When I get some time I will take a look. Any thoughts? Also how are the Haynes manuals for these?

 

Seems to me like it could be something in the rear end that only happens on decel. I had an 8.8 one time that was setup terribly and howled on decel.

 

Thanks for the reply. Would the rear end be intermittent like that? It seems to only happen after driving long distances. I've never had it happen when I go on a short drive to the store or something.

 

That's interesting to know. Could be something in the trans that only happens when its warm. I know the TC in my 7.3 used to make a terrible noise when coasting to a stop. Still worked just fine, but it sounded awful.

 

Transmission seems solid to me and due to the clunking I hear in the rear when this happens I don't think its that. What is a good way to determine if it is the U joints? I have an extended cab so the drive shaft is 2 pieces.

 

What does the diff fluid look like? Or what is the level of it.

 

easiest way I've been able to tell bad u joints is to crawl under the truck and grab the shaft. Move it in each direction and try spinning it. if there's play or a bad joint, you'll see it. could even be a bad carrier too. Didn't know you had a 2 piece shaft.

 

It can look like this...

 

Sorry for not replying! I wasn't able to work on my truck for a while. I just got finished with my driveshaft today. New u joints and carrier bearing. Slapped it all in and took it for a test drive. Still having the same issue. I can't quite pinpoint where the noise is coming from, but it sounds like it is more on the rear driver side. I'm going to check out the drum brakes and the rear differential next