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1996 Ford Ranger.....suspension problems?


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Guest
Anonymous Poster
theviper14@hotmail.com

Oct 31, 2007, 12:54 PM

Post #1 of 7 (3340 views)
1996 Ford Ranger.....suspension problems? Sign In

1996 Ford Ranger, 144,000 miles, stick shift. Out of nowhere, my truck starting making weird noises and I have noticed that is off balance--the driver's side of the truck is much lower than the passenger side. When I go over bumps it makes loud cracking-type sounds, almost as if it sounds like something is rattling around in the bed of my truck. I know my back bumper isn't 100% secure, but it has been like that for a long time and these sounds just started today. It is most noticeable when I go over bumps or am on rough roads. When I go over speed bumps, when the back tires go over the speed bump is when the sound seems the worse, that cracking/creakin type sound, and then it goes away until I go over another sort of rough patch of road/bumps. Also, since the sounds started, it seems to be pulling even harder to the right when I drive, especially when I am on the highway going 70+ mph. The alignment was off before this, but now it is an even more annoying/harder pull to the right.

I am assuming this is some sort of suspension problem? I scheduled an appt. to take it in on Friday, any ideas as to what the problem is/how much it should cost to fix?


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Oct 31, 2007, 1:21 PM

Post #2 of 7 (3335 views)
Re: 1996 Ford Ranger.....suspension problems? Sign In

Don't wait for this! The spring (did Ford use a torsion bar?) for the low front is broken in some manner,

T



Guest
Anonymous Poster

Oct 31, 2007, 1:37 PM

Post #3 of 7 (3332 views)
Re: 1996 Ford Ranger.....suspension problems? Sign In

would it be alright to get it done Friday morning? I would be driving approximately 110 miles, about 85 of those mile would be on the highway.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Oct 31, 2007, 1:44 PM

Post #4 of 7 (3331 views)
Re: 1996 Ford Ranger.....suspension problems? Sign In

You would have to take a real hard educated look at what is damaged to cause this to drop like that. Best guess is the spring has broken or out of its place. That could be wildly dangerous and I can't guess that. That's a long trip even if this was somewhat safe. There's no telling what could go wrong. I'd tow it to a repair shop as this may take welding or who knows if mounts for spring are rotted out or broken,

T



Guest
Anonymous Poster

Oct 31, 2007, 1:53 PM

Post #5 of 7 (3330 views)
Re: 1996 Ford Ranger.....suspension problems? Sign In

I will try to post a pic in a little bit


Guest
Anonymous Poster

Oct 31, 2007, 4:37 PM

Post #6 of 7 (3323 views)
Re: 1996 Ford Ranger.....suspension problems? Sign In

Here is the picture I took:

http://picture.vzw.com/mi/214693937_715344911_0.jpeg?limitsize=640,480&outquality=56&ext=.jpg

Looks like the brace that holds those 3 bars broke on my driver's side, but the one on the passenger side is still intact.

Am I good to drive about 85miles on the highway @ 70mph until I get it fixed?


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Oct 31, 2007, 6:00 PM

Post #7 of 7 (3317 views)
Re: 1996 Ford Ranger.....suspension problems? Sign In

Pic didn't show - ?? "There's a brace that's broken?" DON'T DRIVE IT!

T







 
 
 






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