Ford Ranger question

dancudayo

Seaman
Joined
Oct 7, 2007
Messages
54
I have a 98 Ford Ranger, recently something like a collar on the output shaft before the U-joints, transmission side, has spun loose, It looks like an easy repair, but my Haynes manual talks nothing of this piece. I think it is some kind of balancer. It seems to be secured on by some kind of sealant and force fitted. Does anyone know what this thing is called? I only noticed it cause when turning corners the weight transfer makes it clang and clunk and it also gets spun about from drive shaft turning. I wired it up away from moving parts, cause my auto parts store doesn't sell drive line components so I either have to get it from a junkyard or ford dealership. It's not a 4wd, I hope someone can tell me what its called and what its for. If you need more detail I will do my best to describe it more, thanks everyone! Dan
 

mrfixitman40

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 13, 2007
Messages
286
Re: Ford Ranger question

the piece you are looking for is part of the front yoke .
 

Kenneth Brown

Captain
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Feb 3, 2003
Messages
3,481
Re: Ford Ranger question

I agree. I also agree you are correct in your calling it a balancer of some sort. It is supposed to cancel out high rpm frequencies that will make a vibration. Ford has tons of fixes for there cars/trucks and this is only one of them. I always wondered why they didn't just get rid of the actual problem instead of bandaiding it.
 

Caveman Charlie

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Oct 31, 2007
Messages
545
Re: Ford Ranger question

If you have a junkyard in your area that will let you crawl under some other rangers and look. Then maybe you can find another one and get a idea of what it should look like. I'm guessing from your description that it is some sort of balancer just to make things more smooth. I bet you don't even need it.
 

Bob_VT

Moderator & Unofficial iBoats Historian
Staff member
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May 19, 2001
Messages
26,064
Re: Ford Ranger question

I have seen them removed with little effect. I know someone that was trying to cure a vibration problem and removed it. Went as far to have a new one installed and still had the same problem. Pull it off and try it.
 

dancudayo

Seaman
Joined
Oct 7, 2007
Messages
54
Re: Ford Ranger question

thanks everyone for your help! Yah, it really doesn't seem to be a necessity cause I've been riding around for a few days with it just wired up out of the way, lol. I plan to remove it but today on my day off just got some work done on my project boat. All though it might not affect anything now, I still worry that it might be some kind of balancer that protects the transmission or something. So, I guess I'm going to hit a junk yard very soon!
 

SpinnerBait_Nut

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 25, 2002
Messages
17,651
Re: Ford Ranger question

Call your local Ford dealer and ask them what it is.
 

mrfixitman40

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 13, 2007
Messages
286
Re: Ford Ranger question

It is meant to remove harmonics from the drivetrain could eventually cause the bushing in the trans to wear out. wouldn't worry to much about it unless you do alot of highway driving. I would definately remove it soon though since it could cause more damage with it being out of place.
 

dolluper

Captain
Joined
Jul 19, 2004
Messages
3,904
Re: Ford Ranger question

I've read this a few times and it sounds like it is the output shaft seal lock to me but what do I know without seeing it
 
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