Another clunk clunk cluck

[Mark_88]

My Ranger sag was the result of rusted and broken spring hangers that I didn't realize until someone lifted the back end by the frame and the rear end stayed on the ground...a quick visual will tell you if that's the problem or not.

The front end on my recent Ranger was tight but I found the truck bounced too much if the tires were inflated to factory specs. I ended up dropping the air pressure to 28 PSI and that pretty much eliminated the jumpiness of the front end when hitting small objects or bumps.

 

[Doofy]

Mark_88 Good call on checking out the spring hangers. Also the air pressures in the tires do make a huge difference. Father-in-Law uses max pressure listed on tire and wonders why his truck rides like a hay wagon.

 

[Captain Ledd]

On my '97, I had a balancer on the driveshaft (up by the transmission) that had come loose from it's rubber mount. Kept making an intermittent clunk. But when I went to look, it appeared as if it was still on. I only found out when I finally got PO'd and started twisting and moving anything I could in my driveline.

Maybe they still have that on a '99.

 

[Mark_88]

Mark_88 Good call on checking out the spring hangers. Also the air pressures in the tires do make a huge difference. Father-in-Law uses max pressure listed on tire and wonders why his truck rides like a hay wagon.

I know that feeling but I didn't equate it with a hay wagon until I read this...

 

[float89]

Update Guys. Thanks for all the discussion and replies. I have been on a few other none ford forums in the past and I have to say you people care about these trucks and their owners. thumbs up from me.


I looked everything over real nice and good with a crow bar pulling/yanking and a little thrusting and I am now fairly confident I have found the problem. Or at least an ah ha! That needs to be fixed! Like someone mentioned the sway bar can be a noise maker so low and behold one of the straps holding it on the frame has rusted and broke. The rust on just the one strap was so bad it rotted right at the bend at the base. you cant see that its broke until you pry at is and then the separation you get it just Yuge!

Ordered new bushings and straps and will be replacing both soon. Not sure if it will solve anything but its a start.



SAG ISSUE:

The hangers are all good still. I lifted up the back of the truck and all is still hanging nicly. I really think my springs are just shot. I only weigh about 150lbs if I sit on the tail gate the poor thing gives like a lazy boy.

I will look into the air shocks. My problem there is that they share the air between them and I wont be able to adjust individually. I need a level rear not a raised rear that leans. Although If I split the shocks and have different air in them then I'm getting the darn thing set up for dirt racing...

 

[Mark_88]

Thanks for the update. Hope your efforts solve the problem.

I'd be tempted to have a close look at everything else if time allows...I hate rust...

 

[RayInStl]

Just for anyone else that lands here because they have a thumping noise: My 83 ranger had a thumb when hitting bumps in the road. Felt like something was hitting the bottom of the truck right at my feet. What did it end up being? Worn out body mounts! The cab was actually coming into contact with the frame!

 

[black_demon69]

I found this: http://courthouseauto.com/symptoms-bad-failing-motor-mount/. It says nothing about heat, or rough roads, but it might be worthwhile to check your motor mounts, and maybe even your transmission mounts.

The other thing that comes to mind is this: how are your shocks?

X2