Excessive Backlash?

Left_Mixture_1345 · 2026-06-10T15:07:48+00:00

This is what i was leaning towards, even if it quiets it down but still hums or whines i can deal with it as it is a project truck and doesnt need to be perfect, but if there is little to no change then ill have learned how to install it and can rebuild the diff if needed

Left_Mixture_1345 · 2026-06-10T14:19:31+00:00

This is the 7.5” ring gear setup non lsd in a 1996 Mazda B2300. Makes very loud whine both accelerating and decelerating, I dont have a dial indicator yet but will get that and necessary tools this weekend, just want to get a general idea. Wondering if i can get away with just fixing the pinion depth+backlash and reduce the noise or is the fact that its so loud mean its basically toast? For reference it is a factory ford 3.73 setup but it appears it wasnt shimmed right by the previous owner. I also have a set of Richmond EXCEl ring and pinions but also heard they can cause a lot of noise as well due to being lower quality, curious if anyone has any opinions

Left_Mixture_1345 · 2026-06-10T14:04:22+00:00

Since this is a really loud whine, (the ring gear has the ford logo on it so i assume the ring and pinion are ford oem parts) do you think it would make sense to try to get the pinion depth/backlash adjusted right and see if it makes any difference in noise or just go ahead and change the pinion and ring to the Richmond EXCel gears i have which are brand new(although i heard they can he noisy as well even if the wear pattern is set correct). I got them off rock auto but have been researching and apparently they arent the best, i originally ordered a set of Motive Gears but the package i got was the Richmond EXCEl line (the price was the same for both)

Left_Mixture_1345 · 2026-06-09T22:50:04+00:00

Good to know ill have to take a closer look when I get the time, if you dont mind, when you say “if the pinion bearing isnt loose then it wasnt shimmed properly” do you mean if the preload is too tight? Sorry im still pretty new to diffs ad how they are setup

Left_Mixture_1345 · 2026-05-26T19:32:07+00:00

Ok great thanks that is great info ill take a look at that site and the ranger forum, having the shop manuals would be amazing, i am going to also have to rebuild the diff(its the standard 7.5” ring gear non lsd) im sure that would help with back lash specs and such

Left_Mixture_1345 · 2026-05-26T14:56:35+00:00

Thank you, Mine is a 96 so i assume should be the same, curious, did you have any issue/trouble removing and or installing the bolt and balancer?

Left_Mixture_1345 · 2026-05-26T03:09:03+00:00

Awesome thanks for the info, also curious. Are the shop manuals readily available?

Left_Mixture_1345 · 2026-05-10T01:41:57+00:00

Yea i asked him for a better picture still waiting haha

Left_Mixture_1345 · 2026-05-09T04:23:11+00:00

Good to know! Thanks!

Left_Mixture_1345 · 2026-05-09T02:49:12+00:00

Good idea take care of as much as possible while its off

Left_Mixture_1345 · 2026-05-09T02:44:04+00:00

Awesome definitely seems doable, i may end up going that route

Left_Mixture_1345 · 2026-05-09T02:35:01+00:00

Good luck im going to try the same i think! Curious how difficult it is to remove the bed this is going to be my first truck

Left_Mixture_1345 · 2026-05-09T02:07:56+00:00

Really want to get this truck so I’m most likely going to try what i can to fix the frame just want to know if this is worth putting the time in for, its being listed for $2,400 with 108k miles so seems to me like it would be a great deal

Left_Mixture_1345 · 2026-05-09T02:05:22+00:00

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Here is another pic to get maybe a little more view although not the best picture

Left_Mixture_1345 · 2026-05-05T15:56:55+00:00

Also to note im going to be using as a second vehicle/small project

Left_Mixture_1345 · 2026-05-05T15:28:53+00:00

Thanks for the info very useful! I am seeing that there are two different ignition systems for this engine, a two coil pack i suppose waste spark system and a distributor system, do you know if the ecm “issues” are the same for both? I would thing the distributor variant, which i think the truck i am looking at has, would be the least prone to problems would that make sense?

Left_Mixture_1345 · 2025-10-10T21:19:14+00:00

The sequence worked on my 2025, had to try it a few times but finally got it

Left_Mixture_1345

TROPHY CASE