Driver side lower then passenger

[COMETKID]

Hey everyone, I have come across an issue with the stance of my 04 ranger. I noticed that the front wheel well on my drivers side was lower than my passenger side. I looked underneath and there is nothing visually broken. I took a measurement from the flat ground to the top of the wheel well and the driver side was about 1.25 lower then than the drivers side. I did some research and asking around and I've been getting different opinions. Some say it may be a bad cool spring, some say it may be the upper and lower ball joints and even the trailer arm bushings. I know this is an issue I need to solve soon because my driver side tire needed to be replaced to due the fact it was worn down to the wire mesh from constant running when I turn the wheel. So can someone please give be some briefing on what the true reason is for the height difference and what I need to fix or replace. Thank you everyone

 

[adsm08]

A certain amount of lean is normal on a Ranger, especially to the driver's side. Reason being that the fuel tank, battery, and driver are all on the driver's side, while none of that is on the passenger side. It adds enough weight to that side to make it lean, and to wear the springs out faster over long periods of time. True you may have a passenger on the passenger side, but hopefully you never go anywhere without a driver.


Anyway, rubbing is a problem all it's own, and is likely from a bent component. The steering knuckles on these trucks are very easy to bend. I would start by measuring the distance from the 12:00 position of the wheel to the knuckle on both sides and see if there is any difference. If the driver's side is shorter you have a bent knuckle.

If you don't find anything there take it down to an alignment shop and get the front end measured. The alignment angles can tell you a lot about what may be damaged. For example if the camber is off then the knuckle, or one of the control arms is probably damaged. If the caster is off a radius arm is probably the bad component.

 

[RonD]

'04 2WD can have coils or Edge or Sport Models can have torsion bar

Either can be adjust for level ride height
First look here: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/front_suspension.shtml

For coils Google: coil spring booster or spacer

For torsion bars look here: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/torsion_key_lift-ford_ranger.shtml

The 1.5" difference is probably a loose or bad part, so I would give a close look when installing or adjusting either of the above.

 

[straycat]

My 99 Ranger had the 'Lean'. It was better with less gas in the tank. I see so many Rangers with the 'Lean'. Don't worry about it.

 

[96firephoenix]

don't worry about the lean. beware the twist.

The gas and battery are about 200 lbs on one side that the other side doesn't have with a full tank. Mine leans about an inch on F and about a quarter inch on E