constant knocking in front end

[bergz0]

got a 1993 ranger 4wd and something in the front end is constanly knocking. it just started like 2 days ago. but it wont stop. its not bad ball joints. sway bar links and bushings are fine. nothing seems to be broken that ican see. it just happens when i drive it down the road. maybe a bad auto hub? u joint? also a brake question. my right side brakes squeak and they dont seem to be wearing right at all. help would be greatly appreciated thanks guys!

 

[kevinsranger]

throw it in four wheel and see if it stops, if it does its prob the hubs

 

[bergz0]

naw it still does it dude

 

[97ranger4x4]

take off your tires and check out the brakes. Are your calipers loose by any chance? I have one of the bolts back out on me a few weeks ago and gave me a pretty bad shudder just driving around.

 

[kevinsranger]

my axle u-joints used to make a noise like that but only in 4 wheel. but your auto hubs may be stuck on and your spindle bearings can be bad, grab your front axle shafts while parked in 2 wheel drive and see if you can spin your front axles, if you cant then the auto hubs are stuck

 

[bergz0]

caliper wise i just put a new one on last week and one on before that maybe 5 months ago

 

[eric17]

mine consistantly knocks when i hit small bumps and whatnot but my radius arm bushings are toast.

 

[Jspafford]

Have you bled the brakes? There may be air in the side that's not working well.

 

[bergz0]

brakes have been bled numerous times lol

 

[289-tiger-]

Check the radius arm bushings, especially the one on the passenger side that gets cooked by the catylist. (A gap between the bushing and bracket will indicate) An ancient engine mount could also close tolerances between your frame and powertrain. As for the brakes did you have an problems bleeding that would indicate a bad flex hose to the caliper?

Good luck

 

[dzk007]

If the knocking increases according to speed then it is highly likely to be drivetrain related.
If it is a random knock then it is probably chassi or suspension problem.
Check all the shock bushings - top and bottom. A worn out one can allow play that can knock when you drive it but you may not be able to duplicate the problem in the driveway (movement too slow).

 

[bergz0]

changed the right brake hose. the caliper is a rust color, thats uaually a sign of overheating. the guy i work with said it couldve overheated due to something in the brake hose. knocking wise. radius arm bushings have been replaced already.

 

[289-tiger-]

Had a 67 Rover TC that would knock from the rear due to the u joints in the drive axles. The Rangers front axles should not be turning unless you have engaged the four wheel drive (Sounds like you know that already). When I was chasing the auto hubs I swapped the hubs left to right to check for differences. I have replaced the original radius arm bushings with polyurethane on a 93 Explorer and while stiffening the suspension these will also cause a knocking sound during certain maneuvers. Hope this helps.

Good luck

 

[bergz0]

brake problem fixed. it was the caliper now the knocking is bothern the hell out of me

 

[woodyedmiston]

Knocking

Bergz

I had the same knocking in my truck for a while - tires wore poorly - and no one could tell me there was anything wrong. Early this year I got a chance to buy some lightly used upper and lower control arms/a-frame lowers from a dude with a new truck who was lowering his and using aftermarket stuff. The knock went away.

That does not help you much - I did not change any rod ends. Just the upper and lowers.

On the brake thing - grease the calipers very well with the appropriate grease and your wear problem should go away.