2000 Ford Ranger Creaking sound when put in gear.

2000 FORD RANGER

35,000 MILES • 4 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC

DMV

MEMBER
1 POST

When I put the truck in any gear, from neutral or park, I hear a short creak/grind sound coming from the rear of the drivetrain. Also, on the freeway there is a subtle surging effect that I can feel. There was a day about 2 months ago that I went to put it in reverse and it would not engage in any gear for about 5 minutes when it slammed into gear and has worked fine until yesterday on the freeway when I noticed the surging. I then had help to listen to the creak sound. We have a slight incline to our driveway that is enough to roll a car down very easily, we have been parking the truck on the incline with the parking brake on, and front of the truck pointing up the slope. Is this a bad thing? Will it cause damage to gears?

Jul 28, 2008 at 4:28 PM

KHLOW2008

✓ASE Certified Mechanic
41,814 POSTS

Hi DMV,

Thank you for the donations.

No worries about the parked position, but maybe you need to check the fluid level. With the vehicle on an incline, the fluid might be slow to response if its level is low as the pump would have difficulty getting to it.

As to the creaking noise, I suspect it is coming from the U-joints, so you need to check the propeller shafts.

Jul 30, 2008 at 8:07 PM

Repair Safety Notice: This information is for general instructional purposes only. Vehicle repair can be dangerous. Verify all information, follow manufacturer service procedures, use proper tools and safety equipment, and consult a qualified repair shop when needed.