Strap hanging from rear axle?

[BC ranger]

Dumb question but bear with me...I bought a used 2000 ranger and I've noticed that it has a rubber strap attached to where the leaf spring attaches to the rear axle. There is a similar mounting point on the other side but the strap is missing. Can I just take this thing off? What is/was it for? There is no hole or anything on the end of the strap where you could attach it so something else so I guess it's supposed to hang there?

This is a great site btw..helped me diagnose the faulty cam synchro on my old 3L Mazda and I've already ordered some new manual hubs for this '00 Ranger.

Cheers,

 

[Mark_88]

Could be a ground strap, but a picture would help...a bit...ground straps help prevent static electicity discharges...so you don't get zapped every time you wiggle your butt on your seats...

 

[That Baker Guy]

yeah thats what i figured it would be, my uncle has one.

 

[BC ranger]

Hey thanks for the feedback. I did a quick search once I knew what I was looking for & that's what it looks like.

 

[Viva*the*Ranger]

Yeah if you look you'll see every cop car has one because all the electronics they run. Static has caused some gas station fires too. No fun!

 

[LearjetMinako]

Could be a ground strap, but a picture would help...a bit...ground straps help prevent static electicity discharges...so you don't get zapped every time you wiggle your butt on your seats...

Those ground straps don't work too well for static discharge. When winter comes around, my right hand fingers start to feel the pain.

 

[Mark_88]

Those ground straps don't work too well for static discharge. When winter comes around, my right hand fingers start to feel the pain.

I've never tried them myself, but when I was younger they were extremely common...those and bumper stickers...which were more shocking sometimes than that static...but I think we've covered some better ways to reduce or eliminate ESD...like the spray stuff for the carpets, and touching (grounding) some metal before leaving the vehicle...

 

[mentalbreakdown00]

If they dont work why must all mass transit vehicles and propane carriers must use them.

 

[LearjetMinako]

I've never tried them myself, but when I was younger they were extremely common...those and bumper stickers...which were more shocking sometimes than that static...but I think we've covered some better ways to reduce or eliminate ESD...like the spray stuff for the carpets, and touching (grounding) some metal before leaving the vehicle...

One little problem with that for me. I'm a mechanic, so I'm in and out customers cars about 10 times a day or more (and that doesn't included mine).

The ground straps do work. Just not for human to metal contact. They are better suited to make sure there is a ground to that extra metal part of the vehicle besides the bolts that hold the part on.