Broke my Ranger yesterday

[lobsta11]

While pulling my broken down garden tractor out of the way, I got stuck in the deep wet snow next to my driveway. 4 lo & 4 hi couldn't get me out as the side of the ruts just pushed me back. Tried rocking, still no go. While doing this started getting a strong chattering. Even my friends plow truck couldn't get me out. Friend observed while trying to back out, rear wheels were not turning & at the same time right front wheel (I think) was giving off a sound like an impact wrench going full speed.After shoveling we were able to finally get out. Truck does not have E locker.

Tried to drive today & I get a speed dependent rapping sound. This is with traction control on or off & in all drive modes. A couple of times backing down my driveway I got a few (driveline?) thumps & the truck gave a little jump.

I'm getting AAA to give me a tow to the nearest dealer tomorrow for them to look at it Friday. If it's the tranny or front differential, what do you think of the dealer getting the parts in a reasonable time?
Thanks
Al

P.S. In 20 years my old Ranger never got stuck.

Sponsored

 

[Kajun]

Sorry to hear that. What a bummer. Would you let us know what the dealer says?

 

[I_smell_like_diesel]

Sounds like you could have torn up the planetary gear set for the Low Range 4WD reduction, in the transfer case. If you're lucky, it could be rebuilt if there's no case damage. As far as time and availability, talk to your service writer. That will depend on how badly you damaged it. With this truck just going onto the second MY in the US, parts still might be a little sparse. Wouldn't be to surprised it it would be a few days, at the very least, just to round up parts.

 

[weasel1]

While pulling my broken down garden tractor out of the way, I got stuck in the deep wet snow next to my driveway. 4 lo & 4 hi couldn't get me out as the side of the ruts just pushed me back. Tried rocking, still no go. While doing this started getting a strong chattering. Even my friends plow truck couldn't get me out. Friend observed while trying to back out, rear wheels were not turning & at the same time right front wheel (I think) was giving off a sound like an impact wrench going full speed.After shoveling we were able to finally get out. Truck does not have E locker.

Tried to drive today & I get a speed dependent rapping sound. This is with traction control on or off & in all drive modes. A couple of times backing down my driveway I got a few (driveline?) thumps & the truck gave a little jump.

I'm getting AAA to give me a tow to the nearest dealer tomorrow for them to look at it Friday. If it's the tranny or front differential, what do you think of the dealer getting the parts in a reasonable time?
Thanks
Al

P.S. In 20 years my old Ranger never got stuck.

Damn, that sucks. I guess it depends on what you think is a reasonable time. It's been more than a month and I haven't received my HVAC blower for the recall (well a coupe of weeks ago they came in, but they were defective). Really, only the dealer will know. Recall parts are often in high demand and take longer to get.

 

[doug910]

Are things like this covered by warranty? I'm not sure exactly how you were trying to get un-stuck, but simple attempts in various drive modes to get out of mud definitely shouldn't cause anything to break.

Nonetheless, that definitely sucks OP. Good luck with the repair process and please keep us posted!

 

[lobsta11]

Called Ford road side service today. They came about 2 hours later & took my truck away. I had earlier gone to the dealer to speak to a service rep. I wanted to explain what had happened. He listened but did not put any comments in the computer. Have to wait & see what they find out.

I've been driving 4 wheel drive trucks since 1984 & this is the 1st time I ever got stuck. I've also never had traction control before. It did not help at all & seemed to interfere with what I was trying to do.
Al

 

[u wish u could ride]

I shut that traction control off whenever im doing 4x4 work with mine.BUT haven't had any high rpm tire spinning pulling action yet!!sorry to hear it didn't do its job.ps we have a 1997 and a 2005 at my job and pull tree stumps and cement sidewaks out with them never a problem!!the 97 has good ol lock in hubs!!

 

[lobsta11]

Just got the bad news. The front differential is shot & a replacement is on back order across the country. Sounds like I'm not the only one with this problem.
Al

 

[doug910]

Just got the bad news. The front differential is shot & a replacement is on back order across the country. Sounds like I'm not the only one with this problem.
Al

Jeez, I wonder how that happened. It's covered by warranty though right?

Since it's on backorder, it'd be nice if they could just take out the front diff so that at least you can still drive in 2WD while you wait. ECU would probably get mad if you did that though...

 

[HenryMac]

New truck, new parts. I wouldn't jump to the conclusion that there is a design issue or a warranty related problem. Lot's of folks are sitting waiting on body parts too... doubt that is an indication of any design issues.

 

[Andy]

Would like to know what part of the diff broke. Was the ring gear? Case? Its a Dana variant so internals could be had but the case is another story.

 

[lobsta11]

Don't know if they opened up the differential.They said the differential was making a racket when they drove it into the shop. They were done with it by 11:30 Fri. morning. About 2 hours earlier on Ford Pass I started getting alarms for anti-collision & traction control.
Dealer said they didn't know how long before they could get a replacement as they were back ordered across the country. Dealer told me to open up a case with Ford support. Did that was told Ford truck support team would call me back Mon/Tue.
Al

 

[Hounddog409]

Called Ford road side service today. They came about 2 hours later & took my truck away. I had earlier gone to the dealer to speak to a service rep. I wanted to explain what had happened. He listened but did not put any comments in the computer. Have to wait & see what they find out.

I've been driving 4 wheel drive trucks since 1984 & this is the 1st time I ever got stuck. I've also never had traction control before. It did not help at all & seemed to interfere with what I was trying to do.
Al

If stuck, should turn off traction control.......

 

[doug910]

If stuck, should turn off traction control.......

Shoulda, coulda, woulda. T/C on or not, front diff shouldn't break.

 

[lobsta11]

Like Doug says, the diff should not have broken. I did try to turn off T/C. It never illuminated showing it was off.
Al

Sponsored