[bmdakk]

hello again, As I posted the other day, Im working on a neighbors 99 ranger 6x6. he complained of a "pop" one morning when he started it.He complained it didnt have any power when pulling a hill. I brought it home and put it through its paces and it wouldnt hardly pull in D1 and found that the belt was worn, so I replaced the belt, changed the oil, air filter and Tranny fluid, greased it. Couldnt find the source of the "pop". got it all back together and rode it. It does alot better and will now pull a hill in D1. Took it back to him yesterday and dropped it off. He just called me today and stated that it was hesitating and back firing through the carb and didnt have any power to pull the hill. Im at a loss as to what it could be. Fuel Filter? Dirt in the carb? It was low on gas when I had it over here, Water in the tank Maybe?. He doesnt drive it all that much as it only has 725 hrs on it, and it sets most of the year. He only uses it to go back on his hill to hunt in November and April (deer and Turkey seasons.)

I did notice when I put it in reverse that it acted as if something was binding, Like when you put a 4wd truck into low range and the front end scoots., Maybe a bad axle?.

I really am at a loss on things to look for, any ideas would be great from you guys that work on these on a regular basis. Thanks in advance

 

[bmdakk]

The binding I felt was also without the 6x6 switch engaged.

 

[commanderjjones]

My guess on the engine problem is a dirty fuel filter, clogged vent line to the fuel tank, or bad fuel pump. As you mentioned, could also be water in the tank. On the older models like that, I have also seen the pickup line come loose inside the tank.

As far as the binding goes, that's difficult to say.......bad axle, wheel bearing, U-joint, broken hilliard cage in the front diff'??? What did the fluid in the front diff' look like when you drained it?

 

[bmdakk]

Didnt drain the front diff!.. I will check the fuel vent lines. I did notice that there were 3 rubber hoses coming out under the driver seat between the cab and bedm that had mud covering them , but I didnt even think that those might be vent lines.

Is there anyway to check the axles to see if they are binding? Jack it up and spin by hand or start it up and kick it in gear?

Something else I thought was strange that I just remembered. The front rear axle on the Passenger side, had a U joint that had a grease fitting right where it comes thru the frame, The drivers side did not It was like a CV axle and had a rubber boot around it. Thought that was strange, but figured there was a reason as I didnt see where any boot had ever been on the Passenger side.

Im going to go back and get it this morning and see what I can find.

 

[commanderjjones]

It's difficult to tell if the axles are binding because it's hard to tell the difference between that and a wheel bearing.....but I would start by jacking it and spinning them. At least maybe you can isolate it to one wheel.

I'm not absolutely certain, but I do think that the older models had U-joints instead of CV axless. So it sounds like somebody has converted one side to a newer axle. I'm pretty sure that I remember seeing a post where another member did that several years ago.

If you didn't change the front diff' fluid, then I definitely would go back and do that. The hilliard system is finicky about dirty fluid and that could be the binding that you felt. Hopefully the inside isn't so corroded that a fluid change won't fix it.

 

[carnivore]

Its not uncommon for older 500 carbs to wear out and have to be replaced.

 

[bmdakk]

Thanks Guys, Ill keep you posted. I just went and picked it back up. Jacked the front up and noticed the right lower aArm bushings are worn bad, 1/4 movement , so I guess ill start tearing it down.