2009 XL Suspension is so broken

[mike310]

Hello ranger folks! My 2009 Ranger XL (ext cab) suspension is so broken but I'm having a hard time figuring out what is the actual problem. She squeaks like crazy and bottoms out hard on speed bumps. When getting over a speed bump it feels like the front wheels slam all the way down to the rubber cross member bump pad. I paid some asshat to swap the shocks and frankly that seems to have made it worse. I was low on time but now I'm able to get to this and sort it out. I'm telling you guys its SO BAD, if there is any telling pics you might like me to grab I'll be happy to do so.

I wanted to start at the top and share what I think looks 'not right'

This is the front / drivers side: Zero lubrication anywhere

This is the rear drivers side:

This is the front passenger side

I have a good amount of experience on a 95 bronco but everything under here seems foreign to me still.

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[franklin2]

Seems like your pictures concentrate on the A-arm bushings. But the rubber in the bushings look good correct? What are your balljoints like? Have you jacked up each side and tried to wiggle the tire with your hands at 3 o clock and 9 o clock, and 12 o clock and 6 o clock?

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

If you’re constantly bottoming out, your suspension is worn out or mis-adjusted.

Leaf springs like to squeak when the pads wear out.

Shock quality and performance varies greatly. I always ran mid to high grade OE type. Ended up with a set of KYB Gas-A-Just at one point and that made a difference over the Gabriel/Guardian/Monroe shocks I’ve always used. Just replaced all the shocks on my Choptop with Rough Country shocks. I started with just the fronts and it made a massive improvement in ride quality so I replaced the almost brand new rears too with RC. I’m now looking at Bilstein shocks for my lowered Ranger. My F-150 and F-350 are probably getting RC shocks.

Bushings don’t usually get lubed. I assemble mine with grease because rust is a major problem here.

WD40 will often quiet things. Don’t spray everything at once because it’s a short term solution. Spray a particular component and drive it to se if you found the noise. Rinse and repeat.

Definitely jack it up and check ball joints and tie rods and stuff.

 

[pjtoledo]

the upper control arm bushings do not get lubricated.
all the flexing is performed by the rubber. there should be no metal-to-metal movement.
check the nuts for tightness, do not turn the bolts, they hold the adjustment.

show a pic of the shocks, and the bump stop gap.

the stroke of the front shocks is only 4-1/2", if the shock is not centered at normal ride height harsh bumps can happen.