I'm new here and I've been searching multiple forms but can't find an answer. I was driving on the interstate and pulled off to get gas. When I made the turn into the gas station it became hard to move forward while the front wheels were turned, noticed a weird noise from under the truck and my rear tires start barking almost like a posi-trac rear end. Tried reverse and it does the same thing. When I drive straight it doesn't bind but there is still a noise from underneath the truck. Could this be a rear axle problem?

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2003 Ranger FX4 Level II / 4.0 / Automatic Trans

sounds like your in 4 wheel drive

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Truck: 2000 Ford Ranger XLT 4.0 4x4 ext cab
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What he said...

Were you in 4wd while on the interstate?

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2004 4.0 4x4 5spd xlt with 175k 4.10 axles, extended cab, cranked t-bars (not maxed), painted black interior, 32x11.5x15 bfg a/t and procomp steel rims
60/40 mod with a shorty console

Nope I even put it in 4wd to make sure but the transfer case is definitely disengaging.

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I know the Level 2 has a LSD rear end. Could that be the issue?

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2003 Ranger FX4 Level II / 4.0 / Automatic Trans

Yea sure could be. Jack the rear up and spin the wheels in neutral to see if they free spin okay, may have to open the diff and do an inspection.

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2004 4.0 4x4 5spd xlt with 175k 4.10 axles, extended cab, cranked t-bars (not maxed), painted black interior, 32x11.5x15 bfg a/t and procomp steel rims
60/40 mod with a shorty console

Well I finally got to looking over the truck. I pulled the rear diff cover off and my gear oil was milky brown colored. Is that normal?

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2003 Ranger FX4 Level II / 4.0 / Automatic Trans

Milky brown does not sound right, maybe water could have gotten in there? Replace the fluid and use a limited slip additive and you should be good to go.

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2004 4.0 4x4 5spd xlt with 175k 4.10 axles, extended cab, cranked t-bars (not maxed), painted black interior, 32x11.5x15 bfg a/t and procomp steel rims
60/40 mod with a shorty console

Thanks I'll try that tomorrow once the parts place opens up I'll post the results

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2003 Ranger FX4 Level II / 4.0 / Automatic Trans

Well I changed the fluid and nothing seemed broken or chipped. But it's still doing it. Now I'm noticing a small grinding noise coming from the front end when I turn the wheels while driving. I jacked up the front end and the rear end to get all four tires off the ground. Put the truck in drive and all four wheels start turning. So I guess I'm stuck in 4WH. Any ideas on how to get it back into 2wd?

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2003 Ranger FX4 Level II / 4.0 / Automatic Trans

You need to diagnose the tcase. Make sure your electric shift motor on the tcase isn't stuck.

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2004 4.0 4x4 5spd xlt with 175k 4.10 axles, extended cab, cranked t-bars (not maxed), painted black interior, 32x11.5x15 bfg a/t and procomp steel rims
60/40 mod with a shorty console

For a quick fix you should be able to remove the motor and manually put it back to 2wd unless the transfer case is internally screwed in which case a new transfer case may be needed

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Truck: 2000 Ford Ranger XLT 4.0 4x4 ext cab
My Build Thread
Mod Ideas
Don't Forget to:
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Mods: Brush guard|Front Hitch|Expo Roof Rack|Train Horn|Door/Dash/step/Hood Leds|2" lift|Rear Tow Points|On-Board Air System| 22" & 40" LED bar|and More!

Wasn't 2003 live axle? Are you sure the tcase is in 4hi, not 2hi? Also sounds like a cv joint to me..

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1996 f150 4x4 ext cab, Eddie Bauer edition, 5.8l auto, 3.55 gears and 31/10.5/15
My babe/DD-1995 2.3l 5speed 4x4, long bed, 4.10 open dif, "red rocket" 31/10.5/15s good years

Cv joints tend to pop when they fail atleast in my expirence...

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Truck: 2000 Ford Ranger XLT 4.0 4x4 ext cab
My Build Thread
Mod Ideas
Don't Forget to:
Create a Signature
Show your system

Mods: Brush guard|Front Hitch|Expo Roof Rack|Train Horn|Door/Dash/step/Hood Leds|2" lift|Rear Tow Points|On-Board Air System| 22" & 40" LED bar|and More!

Yea I tried taking the motor off and manually turning it but it doesn't help the motor is working. I took the front drive shaft out and it fixed the problem but the transfer case is still stuck in 4 HI. I also noticed it wouldn't go into 4LO.

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2003 Ranger FX4 Level II / 4.0 / Automatic Trans

Yea I didn't think this was a cv problem. Deff sounds like the transfer case now since u said its better when you removed the drive shaft. You should be able to manually put it in 2wd with the motor off?

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2004 4.0 4x4 5spd xlt with 175k 4.10 axles, extended cab, cranked t-bars (not maxed), painted black interior, 32x11.5x15 bfg a/t and procomp steel rims
60/40 mod with a shorty console