Bad vibration issue when turning

[Sweersa]

My '97 ranger has been acting up lately. At first I thought it was my tranny then power steering but at this point I'm not sure.

Whenever I turn my ranger while giving it some throttle I get a bad vibration that sounds like it is coming from the front passenger area. It's almost like a rattling sound as if something isn't fastened down all the way and is vibrating violently. It mostly happens while giving it some gas and turning either way at slow speeds.

If I put my tranny in neutral and rev my truck parked I can get it to happen a little, but not as violent as when turning at slow speeds while giving it some gas.

Anyone have any clues as to what this might be? I have not noticed any problems driving except the sound is awful and annoying.

 

[Insanejughead]

Motor mounts? I can imagine one of them being broke and letting the engine wiggle while torquing up.


It's worth checking, but I can't think of much else. I did have a different idea, but if it happens while in neutral and parked and still does it... Then that ruled it out.

 

[bttlscrs00x]

I had something similar on my Explorer. If it's almost like a "thud thud thud" type of vibration, could be the sway bar.

 

[adsm08]

If it does it while turning, and it does it while revving at a stop, see if it does it while turning the wheel lock to lock at a stop. If so, that kinda narrows it to the steering system.

 

[Sweersa]

I found out what happened. My dad discovered the heat shield around my cat was making the vibration. As a quick fix he wired it down which has solved the problem for now. After the snow season we plan on replacing the entire exhaust system after the exhaust manifold.

Magnaflow has a system for my '97 ranger that includes a cat. Anyone have any experience with these?

 

[killj0y]

i've used magnaflows on other vehicles and they work good I've also had good experiances with dynomax setups, neither is real loud, which is good lol.

 

[Sweersa]

i've used magnaflows on other vehicles and they work good I've also had good experiances with dynomax setups, neither is real loud, which is good lol.

Good to hear. I don't like too loud so it sounds perfect!