I'm posting this for a friend of mine who has an issue with his truck. I'll try to give you all the info that I can. I know it will be a long shot for someone to be able to pinpoint the problem, but I thought that we might be able to get some opinions as to what to check out.

He has a automatic, 1990 Ford Ranger, non 4 wheel drive. He was driving it to work and all of a sudden a horrific, loud noise starting coming from the back, drivers side wheel. He said it sounded like the whole back end of the truck was coming out. He pulled over and sat for a bit and then tried to go a little further (he was almost to work). It would go for a little ways and then do it again. He said that when it would do this, it felt like something was holding him back. He had the truck towed home. He thought maybe the brakes were dragging, so he loosened them up so much that they are barely touching now and it still does it. I drove it around his yard, I didn't hear the noise but it feels like I'm towing something. It feels like something is holding it back. Someone told him that it could be the rear end going out on the truck : (

I know I didn't give anyone much to go on, but does anyone have any ideas?

Sounds like it could be a problem in the differential or an axle bearing. Either way it sounds like it need to come apart for inspection. Its not that big of a deal. And fairly easy to fix.

Thank for the suggestions. I will pass this on to my friend.

. Check the universal joints.

. Check for an intermediate driveshaft bearing. When they fail, it creates a horrific sound and vibration.

. Check the differential fluid. Overfilling will often blow a bearing seal out, resulting in loss of fluid and bearing damage.