'96 Ford Ranger weird crackling sound @ 30mph+

Suspect U-joint

DIY @$12 per joint

Well looking at $150+ range

THINK YOU CAN DO IT?

I HAVE SOME HOMEMADE PICS (OTHER THAN THESE, THAT MAY SHOW THE METHOD I USE, MOST OF THE TIME).I DO HAVE ACCESS TO A PRESS.8 MILES AWAY, IF I HAVE TO USE ONE. SELDOM NEEDED FOR THIS EZ TASK

LET ME KNOW IF YOU WANT ME TO POST 'EM

THE MEDIC

Xujoint

WELL, NOTHIN' MUCH HAPPENIN' RIGHT NOW, I RECKON WE GOT ALL OF THE OTHER VEHICLES FIXED!

GAVE ME TIME TO SORTA HUNT AND PECK THIS UP!

BUT STILL, WITHOUT AN ACTUAL "HANDS ON TEST", I DESCRIBED ABOVE, TEST, THE "U" JOINTS MAY NOT BE YOUR SOLUTION!

HERE GOES IN SIMPLE TERMS!

THIS JUST SO HAPPENS TO BE MY FRIENDS'S FORD '88 F-150, AUTO TRANNY, 2 WHEEL DRIVE. HE BROUGHT OVER TO ME.I TOO, AM A VERY EXPERIENCED SELF CERTIFIED REAR LAWN VEHICLE TECHNICIAN!

THE BEARING CAP RETAINING RINGS (CLIPS) ARE ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE YOKES ON THIS ONE

ON SOME VEHICLES, THEY ARE ON THE INSIDE. NEVER THE LESS, THEY JUST KEEP THE CAPS FROM FALLING OUTWARD

CARE MUST BE TAKEN IN RE-INSTALLING THE NEW CAPS. THE NEEDLE BEARINGS WILL FALL OVER AND SIT IN THE BOTTOM, AND WHEN PRESSING THE CAPS IN PLACE, THEY WILL NOT SEAT DOWN PROPERLY.I SOLVE THIS PROBLEM BY DAUBING SOME GREASE INTO THE CAPS, TO HOLD THEM IN PLACE. CAN NEVER HAVE TOO MUCH!

I USE APPROPRIATE SIZED SOCKETS TO "PUSH" AND "RECEIVE" CAPS AS THEY ARE BEING PUSHED. THEY MUST BE CLOSE IN INSIDE AND OUTSIDE DIAMETERS, AS THE "RECEIVER" MUST ALSO REST ON THE YOKE'S FACE, SOMETIMES DURING THE PROCESS.

I TAKE MY "RECEIVER" ONE STEP FURTHER, AND TAPE IT ONTO THE C-CLAMP WHEN IT IS NEEDED.I TRY TO USE STIFF FOIL TAPE WHEN I CAN, AS IT HAS LITTLE SLIPPING OR MOVEMENT. DOING THIS, FREES MY HANDS FROM HOLDING IT IN PLACE, WHILE THE C-CLAMP IS COMPRESSED. KINDA GOT TO KEEP EVERYTHING INN A STRAIGHT LINE.I HAVE HAD MY PALS SCREW IT IN, WHILE I JUGGLED EVERYTHING IN PLACE!

BEFORE INSTALLING THE NEW ONE, HOLD THE ASSEMBLY AS IF IT'S INSTALLED--PLACE THE "GREASE FITTING OR ZERT" SO THAT IT CAN BE ACCESSED WHEN ON THE VEHICLE. THIS IS THE HARDEST PART FOR ME, ROLLING, TURNING, PRETENDING, ETC. THE IMAGINARY COMPLETED SHAFT, SO THAT YOU CAN (MOST EZily) GREASE IT LATER--THEN ACTUALLY INSTALL IT IN THE POSITION YOU CAME UP WITH.

INSTALL THE RETAINERS AS YOU GO, OR WAIT TILL THE END.I ALWAYS GREASE 'EM AGAIN, ONCE INSTALLED. GREASING THEM PERIODICALLY, KEEP THIS PROCESS FROM HAPPENING SO OFTEN!

ANY QUESTIONS, JUST ASK!

THE MEDIC