I just got a 96 xl manual, 4 cylinder..was driving home on the highway when all of the sudden the entire back end locks up. I could push it off the road in neutral. Then i started it and when i let the depressed the clutch it made a loud grinding noise. And it does move forward in 1st but the wheel seem like they are barley turning and it makes the grinding noise the wholw time. Any ideas?

Update.. jacked the car up and both rear wheels are going in opposite directions! Still making grinding noise

Your wheels turning opposite directions are because you have an open differential.

You probably need a new clutch

Where is the grinding noise coming from, Rear wheels, transmission or engine area?

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If grinding in front then you need a new clutch. The grinding may be the out bearing.

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Jeff

Weirton WV
1995 Ranger 3.0 Splash 3.73 limited slip.

Checked the transmission fluid and it was non existent. So i filled it up and the noise is still bad but not near as loud. Also the noise is comibg from the transmission area

No transmission fluid probably means no more transmission. It is like oil for your engine. No oil will kill an engine. No fluid will kill the tranmission. Your gears are probably badly worn badly.

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Jeff

Weirton WV
1995 Ranger 3.0 Splash 3.73 limited slip.