1998 Ford Ranger loud noise and vibration

1998 FORD RANGER
135,000 MILES • 6 CYL • 4WD • MANUAL
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JPCANTER
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  • 3 POSTS
I was driving on the freway and after about 10 minutes i heard a faint sound and felt vibration then within 5 minutes it got really loud under ther truck. The noise sounded like it was coming from the transmission or 4wd gearbox but i had it in 2wd. It aslo could be the whel bearings but i didnt fel anything in the steering whel. After my truck sat for 2 hours i drove it again and that time it took about 15 minutes to make noise but then it was constant no matter what speed. Thank You
Jan 4, 2010 at 1:49 AM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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  • 110,175 POSTS
Does the sound change when you make turns? Also, have you checked for play in the universal joints, and play in both the output shaft on the transfer case and input on the rear differential? Also, make sure both the transfer case and both rear differentials are full.

Let me know what you find, and thanks for using 2carpros.com.

Joe
Jan 4, 2010 at 1:04 PM
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JPCANTER
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No the noise does not change when turning. When you hit a large bump it pauses though.
Jan 4, 2010 at 2:46 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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I would start with the hub bearing in the front. Check to make sure there is no excessive play in the wheels.

Let me know what you find.
Joe
Jan 4, 2010 at 6:12 PM
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JPCANTER
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How hard is it to fix and how much do hub bearings cost?
Jan 4, 2010 at 8:57 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Parts are aprox 75 to 100 dollars and figure about 1.5 hours per side. They are a pain to replace.
Jan 5, 2010 at 11:47 PM