Summers22 Bright Island Blue 2001 XLT build thread

[Summers22]

I had a mechanic friend tell me lower control arm bushings. Since I already replaced the ball joint in them, Im going to press in some new bushings and see if that is it.

 

[djfllmn]

I had a mechanic friend tell me lower control arm bushings. Since I already replaced the ball joint in them, Im going to press in some new bushings and see if that is it.

I never even thought to check those...the ball joints have been replaced in mine as well but the bushings are original

 

[djfllmn]

Nice clean ranger too by the way, don't see too many in that color

 

[Summers22]

Yeah after replacing sway bar bushings, sway bar links, upper control arms, shocks and lower ball joints, thays about all thats left. Alignment guy said tie rods were good and steering os noght and smooth/responsive amd doesn't wander. So here in a month or so I'll get them swapped and report back here of it solved it. Smooth roads are fine, paved county roads, there is a constant knock in the floorboard over 25-30 mph.

 

[djfllmn]

Yeah after replacing sway bar bushings, sway bar links, upper control arms, shocks and lower ball joints, thays about all thats left. Alignment guy said tie rods were good and steering os noght and smooth/responsive amd doesn't wander. So here in a month or so I'll get them swapped and report back here of it solved it. Smooth roads are fine, paved county roads, there is a constant knock in the floorboard over 25-30 mph.

have you tried any silicone spray or graphite lube to see if that quiets them down at all?

 

[Summers22]

I may try that as I dont remember it being like this before the alignment, so Im going to inspect it all and possibly tighten the bolts up. Thinking I can remove 1 bolt at a time, lube them up and see what that does.

 

[djfllmn]

certainly can't hurt anything

 

[Summers22]

Nope, thanks for the suggestion. I do have a big tube of Lucas white lithium grease I use for my travel trailer, so I'll probably use that.

 

[Summers22]

Well that didn't seem to help...maybe after it soaks in for a while.

 

[mtnrgr]

Have you checked the u joints and drive shaft? Check the transmission mount.

 

[Summers22]

Yes, the driveshaft u-joints are nice and tight. I visually inspected the transmission mount, not sure how to tell of its bad. I will say, laying under the truck and rocking it forward and backwards, the driveshaft to axle housing seems to flex up and down more than I consider to be normal. Maybe I'll video it and post it.

 

[Summers22]

On second thought, when I decide to replace the lca bushings, I'll do motor mounts and transmission mount as well. Gotta pull the coil springs for both mounts and bushings anyway, so just makes semse.

 

[Summers22]

Persistent P0455 even after replacing the vapor canister purge valve and new Gates gas cap. Thinking the hose on top of the gas tank needs inspected. I did go 200 miles in between the code popping up, but would like to eliminate it. Thoughts?

 

[djfllmn]

Persistent P0455 even after replacing the vapor canister purge valve and new Gates gas cap. Thinking the hose on top of the gas tank needs inspected. I did go 200 miles in between the code popping up, but would like to eliminate it. Thoughts?

do you have access to someone with an EVAP smoke tester? that would be my next step, smoke test it

 

[Summers22]

No I dont. I think removing the bed and inspecting what lines I can will be my best option.