Long Delayed post

[QuickPaws]

man, I fell out of this quick - remodeling work got busy, and it got way out of hand.

Anyway - Now that I've got a couple days off, and some time to -really- go over the Ranger ( and the time I've already gone over it ) I've noticed that I may have bought a problem.

I discovered a broken leaf spring on the driver's side in the back. A wheel cylinder is most likely toast. The PO must have driven it for 8 months with the parking brake on. Wipers still don't work. The brake master cylinder is out, and I think the IAC is either fouled, or torched, or it might be the MAF. I've also noticed some hanger brackets in the back of the truck - It almost makes me think it was lifted at one point, but I can't see how it would have worked. I want to take some pictures, and let em pick at y'alls brains. I've also noticed a weird flapping sound while driving, only under power, and with the clutch closed.

Ideas, thoughts, suggestions? ( waiting to get paid from the boss... again, so money is ultra ultra tight )

 

[mn_smokeater]

get pics we like pics.

whats the speeds your at when it flaps?

 

[nitrofan1]

Welcome QP! The "flapping" noise under power (load). Check your driveshaft for play. If the truck was abused that much it may need new u-joints. Yes take many pics ( We are all photo Whores here hea hea ). Also if possible since this is my personal pet peeve put info about your RBV in your signature. This way if you ask a question we won't need to ask what you drive all the time.

 

[Viva*the*Ranger]

That's fairly typical of a ranger owner who doesn't care. They are so reliable, and bullet proof, that people just run them in to the ground.

The leaf spring is an easy fix, and same with the brakes. The flapping sound is an interesting one though...perhaps it has something to do with the brakes as well. Ya never know. The wiper issue should be pretty simple too. Take a volt meter to the wiper motor, and see if it's getting power. If not, than it's most likely your switch on the steering column. If that's the case, try testing continuity on the wires, before replacing the switch. It could be a fried wire.

-Denny

 

[QuickPaws]

K.. I hope this works like I want it to - I'm gonna reply once, and try and get y'all answered, since yer all asking for similar info.

get pics we like pics.

whats the speeds your at when it flaps?

It seems to be varied, to be honest. I noticed it in 2nd and 3rd though, so prolly 15-30 mph, maybe? Pics coming, hopefully this weekend.

Welcome QP! The "flapping" noise under power (load). Check your driveshaft for play. If the truck was abused that much it may need new u-joints. Yes take many pics ( We are all photo Whores here hea hea ). Also if possible since this is my personal pet peeve put info about your RBV in your signature. This way if you ask a question we won't need to ask what you drive all the time.

To me, it doesn't appear to be coming from the center of the vehicle, and I only hear it on the passenger side, and from the rear. -almost- like it's something in the wheel or drum assembly. I did not think to wiggle the drive shaft, and I'll do that this weekend when I ( hopefully, if my deadbeat landlord // boss pays me ) do the wheel cylinder // master cylinder. As for info in the tag, do you want more specific information than what I have filled in under my avatar? Lemme know, I'll get it updated.

That's fairly typical of a ranger owner who doesn't care. They are so reliable, and bullet proof, that people just run them in to the ground.

The leaf spring is an easy fix, and same with the brakes. The flapping sound is an interesting one though...perhaps it has something to do with the brakes as well. Ya never know. The wiper issue should be pretty simple too. Take a volt meter to the wiper motor, and see if it's getting power. If not, than it's most likely your switch on the steering column. If that's the case, try testing continuity on the wires, before replacing the switch. It could be a fried wire.

-Denny

I'm hoping that it's an easy fix. There's alot of rust and stuff, and I don't have air tools ( or access to them ). To the wiper comment - when I hit the MF switch on the steering wheel, I hear the ( electrical ) click, like the you would normally hear if the wipers were working, but there's no movement at the wiper at all. I hate getting the volt meter out... I barely know how to use that stupid thing. ( Ironic, considering I'm a huge computer nerd ) I really hope it's not the damn switch, cause that's gonna be a pita. D:




Thanks for everyone's fast replies. The Ranger's actually being drive daily by my best friend // roommate because he has no vehicle, and the Ranger does WAY better on gas than my old 89 Cherokee. ( about double+ the gas mileage ) If I can ever be more specific of clear with something, lemme know. I've spent alot of time in the tech forums learning how to identify axles and what not. I'm pretty sure I have the Ford 7.5 in mine. I also have the M5OD 5 speed, which I thought was Mazda sourced. I know just enough to be dangerous, but not enough to be confident without someone smart around. Y'all rock, thanks again.

... I really hope those quote tags work.....

 

[lethal-threat-b288]

 

[BlueChariot]

Thanks for everyone's fast replies. The Ranger's actually being drive daily by my best friend // roommate because he has no vehicle, and the Ranger does WAY better on gas than my old 89 Cherokee. ( about double+ the gas mileage ) If I can ever be more specific of clear with something, lemme know. I've spent alot of time in the tech forums learning how to identify axles and what not. I'm pretty sure I have the Ford 7.5 in mine. I also have the M5OD 5 speed, which I thought was Mazda sourced. I know just enough to be dangerous, but not enough to be confident without someone smart around. Y'all rock, thanks again.

I can relate to you, dude. About 3 years ago I knew next to nothing about cars/trucks. I've slowly learned about 1000x what I knew before, but I am still fully capable of asking a very idiotic/obvious question lol.

Do you have any mechanically savvy friend who can help take a first hand look at it? Nothing beats looking right at it in person, imo.

And as far as the volt meter goes, I bought my first one yesterday and the manual helped me alot in it's use. Either way you will deffinitely want to learn to use one eventually. So if you still have the manual for yours, bust that sucker out.

And the M5OD is indeed a Mazda trans.

 

[Viva*the*Ranger]

Yes, and the M5oD is a great transmission too. If you don't have the Manual, you can look it up on the manufacturers website, in PDF form. Print it, and read up! They come in handy quite often. I use mine a few times a week. Granted I only have to use a few of the functions that the VM is capable of. Probably the same case with you. Volts AC&DC, amps, and continuity. It's a huge time/money saver!!!

-Denny

 

[QuickPaws]

In my defense, I did say it's being driven daily and I'd get them asap. But yes, I know it's worthless, however.. it helps to have some ground work laid down before I start flooding this with dumb questions and groveling.

 

[QuickPaws]

I can relate to you, dude. About 3 years ago I knew next to nothing about cars/trucks. I've slowly learned about 1000x what I knew before, but I am still fully capable of asking a very idiotic/obvious question lol.

Do you have any mechanically savvy friend who can help take a first hand look at it? Nothing beats looking right at it in person, imo.

And as far as the volt meter goes, I bought my first one yesterday and the manual helped me alot in it's use. Either way you will deffinitely want to learn to use one eventually. So if you still have the manual for yours, bust that sucker out.

And the M5OD is indeed a Mazda trans.

Actually, I'm prolly the most mechanically inclined of all my friends. I have no one local here in Gary, sadly. S'why I usually do it all on my own or with help from others via some electronic format ( ie, forums, im, something like that ) I have a good friend who's great with vehicles, but he's in NC, and that obviously doesn't help me much.

I'm pretty sure I have the manual somewhere. I had to use it to test the MAF on my 94 4Runner while I was diagnosing a blown HG on it. :/ The hardest part for me is figuring out what setting it needs to be on. I always manage to pick the wrong one 9 times before I click it to the right one.

 

[Viva*the*Ranger]

Honestly, in this case, I don't think pictures are going to help much. I just think people like to see pictures.

Leaf spring: Replace shackle

Brakes: Rebuild

Master cylinder: Replace

Windshield wiper: Diagnose/replace bad component

Flapping sound: Diagnose after inspecting u-joints, and fixing brakes.

No pictures required..... Unless you want to post them for funzies

 

[BlueChariot]

it helps to have some ground work laid down before I start flooding this with dumb questions.

There are no dumb questions, just embarrassing ones.

Actually, I'm prolly the most mechanically inclined of all my friends. I have no one local here in Gary, sadly. S'why I usually do it all on my own or with help from others via some electronic format ( ie, forums, im, something like that ) I have a good friend who's great with vehicles, but he's in NC, and that obviously doesn't help me much.

I'm pretty sure I have the manual somewhere. I had to use it to test the MAF on my 94 4Runner while I was diagnosing a blown HG on it. :/ The hardest part for me is figuring out what setting it needs to be on. I always manage to pick the wrong one 9 times before I click it to the right one.

I saw it as a godsend when I found this place, lot's of people with big lock sized brains on here, and even the ones with smallblocks know a good bit.

I'm lucky enough to have a cousin with a shop and a lift tho, and one or two mechnically inclined friends, but they are usually busy.

Yeah, the whole "one knob for 20,000 settings" thing is what deterred me from bothering to buy a VM for a long while, but I had the money and I knew I'd need one. I think everyone needs one, like duct tape and WD-40, and condoms.

 

[QuickPaws]

There are no dumb questions, just embarrassing ones.

I think everyone needs one, like duct tape and WD-40, and condoms.

I'm sorry - I lol'd so hard at that last part my dogs came inside to look at me.

That's pretty nice you got the shop and lift access, and access to local hands on brains.

I'm grateful for all the help and suggestions, because I rarely think of everything, or even the most common of things. As for embarrassing questions - I can only imagine the ones I'll come up with.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to write to an auto parts store, and tell them they need to carry condoms next to the WD-40.

 

[BlueChariot]

I'm sorry - I lol'd so hard at that last part my dogs came inside to look at me.

That's pretty nice you got the shop and lift access, and access to local hands on brains.

I'm grateful for all the help and suggestions, because I rarely think of everything, or even the most common of things. As for embarrassing questions - I can only imagine the ones I'll come up with.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to write to an auto parts store, and tell them they need to carry condoms next to the WD-40.

Well, I basicly have access to the shop/lift on my cousins time and it was all for repairs that I couldn't do anyways, so eh.

Just keep in mind, what's more important, your truck or your dignity?

Maybe they'd carry them if tire companies made condoms lol. "The new BF Goodrich Her Pleasure, because no one likes to get a puncture and end up in a clusterf**k".

 

[QuickPaws]

Honestly, in this case, I don't think pictures are going to help much. I just think people like to see pictures.

Leaf spring: Replace shackle
------- Can I buy just a single leaf? It's the bottom most leaf in the pack, closest to the axle.

Brakes: Rebuild
------- You can rebuild a wheel cylinder?

Master cylinder: Replace
------- I'm already planning on this, but buy new, not from the junkyard, right?

Windshield wiper: Diagnose/replace bad component
------ The PO literally sheared the wiper from it's mount, so I know at the very least, I also need to replace the motor, in addition to whatever else is wrong.

Flapping sound: Diagnose after inspecting u-joints, and fixing brakes.
I'm gonna be pissed if it was a loose piece of trim, or the vent visor or something like dumb like that. D:

No pictures required..... Unless you want to post them for funzies

I will try to do pics, cause I aim to please, and if y'all are the pic whores ya claim to be, you'll love me. Are pics uploaded to here, or can I use offsite linking, like Photobucket, or Flickr ( I effing LOVE flickr )

m