Rear End Thump

[rangerman94]

Has anyone run across this problem? A few weeks ago I was hauling a pretty good load of mulch, probably to much in my 1994 XLT Ranger extended cab 4x4 and when I pulled on to the highway I had to get up a 6" curb from the gravel raod I was on to the paved road. I was also on a slight incline so I tryed not to hit it to hard. I heard a pop from the right rear end and went and unloaded the mulch. Yesterday while coming down a pretty good incline, 30 degrees or more and with a tight left hand curve at the bottom I heard another loud thud which sounded like a cinder block that had slid over in the bed and hit the bed wall. When I got home I crawled under the truck to see if I had broken a shock or spring but everything looked fine. A guy I work with called a Ford mechanic friend of his and he said he was pretty sure it was a cracked frame or broken leaf spring tree. I will check again this evening.

Thanks

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! Check the U joints, and listen to the rear differential while it's on a lift with the rear wheels turning slowly. It's possible that one of the internal parts has a crack.

 

[aleej]

i get a loud thum from my rear end when ever i stop or pull off the line too hard, also when i go over a speed bump or something the wrong way... i think mine is a u joint or the slip yoke tho i havent really looked.. stuff breaks with age.. tho im thinking if u had a broken fram or busted leaf spring tree ud prolly know it.. check the simple stuff 1st stuff.. just may need some greasing to buff it or maybe a new bump stop

 

[rangerman94]

Thanks guys,

I had my neighbors friend who is a mechanic look at it and drive it last night and he said the same thing, it may have been a u-joint that was in a bind. I have never replaced any u-joints and my truck has 196,000 miles on it. I did have to replace a water pump and radiator a few years ago but overall I can't complain, it has been a great truck for thirteen years.

 

[ericautopart]

Ujoints are nothing..10 bucks in parts, an hour of your time and your on your way..