97 Ranger gas tank strap broke, vehicle also has shimmy - loose muffler?

[nadsab]

Hi there,

Not sure if this is the right place for this question but here goes...

We have a Ford ranger '97, step side, short bed, 2.3 liter.

I just noticed today that the rear steel strap which holds up the gas tank is rusted through and broke. Are these hard to replace and are any special tools needed?

The part of the strap that rusted through is on the right side of the vehicle and it seems as if I can easily get at the chassis mount for this end of the strap, but the mount on the left side is flush with the gas tank I don't know how I will get at that...

Anyone know if there are any drawings available on the net showing the strap remove – install? Would we have to remove the entire tank to replace the strap?

Strange thing is, the tank itself seems to be very solidly held up into the chassis does not move at all, and wondering if this is something I should worry about or not. Tank seems solid as a rock does not move at all.

Also we just started feeling a shimmy in the vehicle about two hours ago it begins when the vehicle starts moving but then goes away at about 35 mph, I think our leaf springs may need replacing not sure, could this shimmy be related to the gas tank or loose muffler? It does not feel to be a front end problem, not like a tie rod it feels like a different kind of shimmy like it's coming from the center of the chassis but not sure.

It seems one of the exhaust hangers for the mufler is gone the part between the exhaust of the cat converter and tailpipe but not the very last one at the back end.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[Hopman]

From what you describe, the shimmy sounds like it could be a tire out of balance.

As for the exhaust, the rubber mount should cure it. My local parts store (Sanel's) had them in stock for about $3.50 each. On my '94 (2.3, shortbed, reg cab, 4x4), there was three hangers total: One on the tailpipe and two that hung the intermediate pipe (the one that goes between the cat & the muffler. I just had to replace the exuast on my truck last weekend due to a hole in the muffler & rust holes in the pipes.

If you're going to go to the trouble to replace the mount, you may as well look at the exhaust & change everything from the cat back as well. It'll be about $160 for parts (muffler, intermediate pipe, tail pipe, three hangers, and two 2" exhaust clamps.

There are no special tools needed to replace the strap. Should just be a bolt-in replacement. If you need to change one strap, do them both because the other one might let go as well.

One of the beauties of Rangers: Parts a VERY easy to get and they're fairly easy to work on.

 

[nadsab]

From what you describe, the shimmy sounds like it could be a tire out of balance.

There are no special tools needed to replace the strap. Should just be a bolt-in replacement. If you need to change one strap, do them both because the other one might let go as well.

One of the beauties of Rangers: Parts a VERY easy to get and they're fairly easy to work on.

Thanks much...

Did you have to remove the gas tank to get at the left side mount for the rear gas tank strap?

Trouble is, I can't get at the left rear strap mount, it is flush up against the gas tank...

 

[adsm08]

Well, the straps aren't really expected to have to come out without the tank coming out too. If you can get your hands on some long needle nose pliers you might just be able to sneak them up there and grab it and twist.

 

[nadsab]

Well, the straps aren't really expected to have to come out without the tank coming out too.....

Hi thanks, not really sure what you mean though, can you elaborate?

 

[Hopman]

Hi thanks, not really sure what you mean though, can you elaborate?

I think he means that you need to drop the tank (or take off the bed) in order change the straps.

 

[FordBoy]

just in case it had not crossed your mind. the easiest way to check for a bent rim or tire out of balance is swap front tires to the rear, and rear tires to front. if the problem moves you can narrow it down. you either have a shifted belt in a tire, a wheel weight flew off or you bent a rim. hope i helped

 

[nadsab]

OK thanks on the gas tank straps - I'll try swapping tires too maybe take it in for a balance..

On the straps, I would assume it is easier to take off the bed than the gas tank due to fuel etc. however, how hard is it to take off a stepside short bed? Just bolts on the floor and it comes right off?

How heavy is the bed - does it take two to lift it off? Or can one person slide it off from the back?

 

[Hopman]

To be safe, you should probably have 2-3 people (or a big guy like Frank The Tank) help you take the bed off. Wouldn't want anybody getting hurt.

 

[nadsab]

OK thanks,

Where are the bolts located for bed removal? In the floor of the bed only? Can I access them all from inside of the bed?

I have an engine cherry picker I bought at harbor freight last year, would that work lifting it off?

 

[Hopman]

OK thanks,

Where are the bolts located for bed removal? In the floor of the bed only? Can I access them all from inside of the bed?

I have an engine cherry picker I bought at harbor freight last year, would that work lifting it off?

Yep. The bed is well within the capacity of the cherry picker. Not sure about the bed bolts.

 

[nadsab]

Hey here is something else - could a bad shock cause a shimmy?

Because I just checked all 4 shocks, I pushed down on the right rear fender, hardly had to push at all and the shock is going down easily, maybe just a couple of pounds of downward force and I can push down the shock...very spongy...

 

[adsm08]

Hey here is something else - could a bad shock cause a shimmy?

Because I just checked all 4 shocks, I pushed down on the right rear fender, hardly had to push at all and the shock is going down easily, maybe just a couple of pounds of downward force and I can push down the shock...very spongy...

Well that is probably far more related to a weak spring than a bad shock.

Springs hold the body up and bounce over bumps. Shocks aren't there to hold the body up, they are there to keep it from bouncing all over the place with the springs.

A bad spring might cause the rear to get a bit squirrely and shimmy around a bit.

 

[nadsab]

Yeah but I can clearly see the shock from the wheel well and when I push down on the fender that shock goes down easily too, still think it's the spring?

Is there a way to check to see if the spring itself is weak?