2002 Ranger 4x4 Noise / Hub Question

[aseiser]

Hello All,

Now I'm not that good with cars so please bear with me.

I have a 2002 Ranger Edge 4x4 that makes a noise only when the 4wd is engaged. It sounds like a thumping noise that happens every couple of minutes, like I'm going over a pothole but I'm not. The noise is worse on dry payment then when I'm driving in snow but its still there.

After reading some posts, I gather it could be that my hubs are bad. Does this sound correct? And I can buy either Automatic or Manual hubs? Is this a relatively easy thing to fix?

So I would go to a parts store and ask for some hubs and they will know what I'm talking about?

Thanks for the information.

 

[aseiser]

Sorry I forgot 1 thing.... If my hubs are bad, is it ok to drive in 2wd for awhile before I fix them or is this a bad idea?

Thanks again

 

[trucku]

Do you drive your truck in 4x4 on dry pavement?

When did this start?

 

[RangerX]

And I can buy either Automatic or Manual hubs?

No, manual or auto hubs only apply to pre 1998 Rangers.

I'm not familiar enough with the later year front axle to help diagnose, but if the noise only happens in 4wd, I would think you're okay to drive in 2wd until you figure it out.

Welcome to the forum.

 

[aseiser]

Do you drive your truck in 4x4 on dry pavement?

When did this start?

I drove it in 4wd a few times in the snow and it was fine. Then one day it was snowing but there was tire tracks in the snow where people had already driven and thus dry payment and I started to hear the noise.

I drove it a couple of times on dry payment afterwards just to hear the noise again. Its pretty loud and doesn't seem normal at all.

My father drove the truck (who knows a little more about cars than I do) and he thought the noise was coming from underneath in the middle of the truck.

So because it is a newer Ranger, its not the hubs, eh? Any other ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[aseiser]

Boy, I keep remembering things after I post. I looked underneath my truck and tried to spin the front drive shaft when it was in 2wd and it would only move a little bit back and forth. My father has a 1999 Ranger and we did the same to his truck and we could spin his around.

Is this normal or maybe part of the problem on my truck?

 

[Brans Freestyle]

since you have an 01+ you have live axles, which mean the cv's and transfercase are always turning, there are no 'hubs' the front driveshaft will have a little play but it should not be able to fully rotate.

do you feel anything in the floorboard when you hear the thumping? on rangers 4 wheel drive and dry pavement will destroy things. i drove 2 times on dry pavement with 4x4 on accident for only about 15 feet. and that was last time i used that transfer case.

 

[trucku]

I drove it in 4wd a few times in the snow and it was fine. Then one day it was snowing but there was tire tracks in the snow where people had already driven and thus dry payment and I started to hear the noise.

I drove it a couple of times on dry payment afterwards just to hear the noise again. Its pretty loud and doesn't seem normal at all.

My father drove the truck (who knows a little more about cars than I do) and he thought the noise was coming from underneath in the middle of the truck.

So because it is a newer Ranger, its not the hubs, eh? Any other ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

When I was having module trouble my truck would go in 4x4 and the front end would hope when I attempted a turn. The noises wasn't pretty. I just leave the truck in Auto.

Sounds like you have damage now. If your not sliding around, then no need for 4x4. Just small patches of dry pavement is good enough to do damage, especially when trying to turn and the wheels want to spin at different speeds.

Does a ranger have a Auto setting like the explorers?

 

[aseiser]

since you have an 01+ you have live axles, which mean the cv's and transfercase are always turning, there are no 'hubs' the front driveshaft will have a little play but it should not be able to fully rotate.

do you feel anything in the floorboard when you hear the thumping? on rangers 4 wheel drive and dry pavement will destroy things. i drove 2 times on dry pavement with 4x4 on accident for only about 15 feet. and that was last time i used that transfer case.

I don't feel anything in the floorboard when I hear the noise. But when I first began to hear the noise, I drove in 4wd in some deeper snow and the O/D light in my dash began to flash. I pulled over and turned the truck off. When I restarted the truck, the flashing light stopped and it hasn't started flashing since. Would this have anything to do with the 4wd noise or is this a totally different issue in itself?

So you think I might need a new transfer case? Any idea what one of those will run me?

Thank you so much for the help.

 

[Ranger Al]

Its sound like bad CV axles or bad universal joint on the driveline. 2002 Ranger can not go to manual hub. Personally, I would jack the vehicle up and check the drive line for any looseness.

Good luck

Ranger Al

 

[Red FX4]

Boy, I keep remembering things after I post. I looked underneath my truck and tried to spin the front drive shaft when it was in 2wd and it would only move a little bit back and forth. My father has a 1999 Ranger and we did the same to his truck and we could spin his around.

Is this normal or maybe part of the problem on my truck?

You should be able to spin the front drive shaft freely in 2WD if the front tires are off the ground. The front drive shaft will not turn much if the tires are on the ground unless you apply enough force to move the vehicle.

The 99 Ranger has an unlocking hub unlike the live axle in your 02 Ranger which does not unlock.

I had a problem with my 2002 Ranger transfer case when it was still under warranty. It would make a clunking sound periodically when in 4WD. You could actually feel a slight jerk when it happened, especially if accelerating.

The dealer thought the chain was stretched causing it to slip. They replaced the chain but it did not solve the problem. I returned it and told them to do themselves, Ford and me a favor and replace the transfer case. Ford wanted them to repair it but finally gave in and replace it. I never did find out what was wrong with it but it probably could have been repaired by someone who knew what they were doing.

One thing to consider is; make sure the front and rear tires are the same diameter. If they are not you will get binding and the can cause a clunk when the stress is relieved by the tires slipping. Even if the tires are stamped the same size, you can get binding if either the front or rear is worn a lot more or they are different brands.

Good luck.

 

[aseiser]

You should be able to spin the front drive shaft freely in 2WD if the front tires are off the ground. The front drive shaft will not turn much if the tires are on the ground unless you apply enough force to move the vehicle.

The 99 Ranger has an unlocking hub unlike the live axle in your 02 Ranger which does not unlock.

I had a problem with my 2002 Ranger transfer case when it was still under warranty. It would make a clunking sound periodically when in 4WD. You could actually feel a slight jerk when it happened, especially if accelerating.

The dealer thought the chain was stretched causing it to slip. They replaced the chain but it did not solve the problem. I returned it and told them to do themselves, Ford and me a favor and replace the transfer case. Ford wanted them to repair it but finally gave in and replace it. I never did find out what was wrong with it but it probably could have been repaired by someone who knew what they were doing.

One thing to consider is; make sure the front and rear tires are the same diameter. If they are not you will get binding and the can cause a clunk when the stress is relieved by the tires slipping. Even if the tires are stamped the same size, you can get binding if either the front or rear is worn a lot more or they are different brands.

Good luck.

That's interesting. My back tires are worn alot more than the fronts for some reason (I just bought the truck 6 months ago and only put a couple 1000 miles on it).

THANKS everyone for the help. Now I have some things to check on this weekend.