rear axle noise

[john112deere]

The rear axle (7.5" open) in my Ranger has been getting progressively noisier for a while now, or at least I'm pretty sure it's in the axle. Varies with throttle position, more so than road speed, and is not present at all times.

The axle is pretty well all original, AFAIK, with the exception of the wheel seals that I replaced a year or two ago. Not really sure how regularly the fluid was changed before I got it, but when I had the cover off, it didn't look or smell too awful inside and the metal shavings on the plug were small and not TOO many. There is some slop in it (as to be expected with 250k), noticeable both in driving (jumping on/off the throttle will make it thunk) and if I crawl under and try to rotate the driveshaft, it's not tight.

I'm pretty well clueless on diagnosing this stuff; my understanding is that it's either the gears, or a bearing, and that it is a much more urgent repair if it's a bearing. Since it varies with throttle, I'm thinking maybe it's the gears, but I don't know.

Any advice for figuring out what the problem is, and what I need to do about it? I can live with the noise and slop, but I don't want to damage anything by running it when I shouldn't.

Thanks!

 

[blacksnapon]

most generally, when you have excessive clearance (wear) in the gears, you'll get noise either on accel, or decel. Speed is more of a determining factor, changing the noise on a bad bearing.

 

[john112deere]

OK...I paid close attention while I was driving today- noise on accel and decel, but on flat ground at steady speed, I can't hear it over the tires/wind noise.

So- gears, I guess.

Thanks!

 

[d-kuzmen]

Mabe able to make adjustments such as reset pinion depth and backlash to take up the excessive clearence. Unless you just want to get some new gear.

 

[john112deere]

No reason to get new gears unless these can't be saved- it's got factory 4.10s, and they're about perfect for my uses. I wouldn't want it any slower, and I don't need it any faster.

I've got a buddy who's set up several rear-ends and can probably be persuaded to help me for a case of beer, but he's a Chevy guy...there's nothing too different about this one, is there?

 

[d-kuzmen]

No reason to get new gears unless these can't be saved- it's got factory 4.10s, and they're about perfect for my uses. I wouldn't want it any slower, and I don't need it any faster.

I've got a buddy who's set up several rear-ends and can probably be persuaded to help me for a case of beer, but he's a Chevy guy...there's nothing too different about this one, is there?

Na pretty straight forward if you need specs and such lemme know i'll email some..

 

[Level2]

Is the old girl fixed up?

 

[john112deere]

Nope...

It's still pretty well drivable, and right now I really don't have the money to either pay someone to do it, or afford the gas to get it to my buddy (plus the beer I'd have to pay him with).

Doesn't seem to be getting worse in a hurry; I think why I really noticed it when I started this thread was I'd just taken the cap off the back for the summer, and also started driving around with the rear window open, which makes it louder from where I'm sitting.