Help Me Find The Chirp--pleeease!!

[lskrogers]

CAN ANYBODY HELP ME? I HAVE A 2000 RANGER, 3.0, SUPER-CAB, 4X4 OFF-ROAD. THE TRUCK HAS 85K ON IT. THE FRONT END I'M SURE IS GETTING A BIT WORN. THE PROBLEM IS THAT NORMALLY, I DO NOT HEAR ANY WHAT I WOULD DESCRIBE AS SOUNDS RESULTING FROM WORN FRONT END EQUIPMENT. EXCEPT, WHEN BRAKING AT TYPICALLY LOWER SPEEDS, I HEAR A CHIRPING SOUND WHEN I HIT A BUMP. LET UP ON THE BRAKE, NO CHIRP. APPLY THE BRAKE AGAIN AND HIT ANOTHER BUMP, YOU GET A CHIRP.

ANYBODY HAVE ANY IDEAS???

 

[KELLY88]

CAN ANYBODY HELP ME? I HAVE A 2000 RANGER, 3.0, SUPER-CAB, 4X4 OFF-ROAD. THE TRUCK HAS 85K ON IT. THE FRONT END I'M SURE IS GETTING A BIT WORN. THE PROBLEM IS THAT NORMALLY, I DO NOT HEAR ANY WHAT I WOULD DESCRIBE AS SOUNDS RESULTING FROM WORN FRONT END EQUIPMENT. EXCEPT, WHEN BRAKING AT TYPICALLY LOWER SPEEDS, I HEAR A CHIRPING SOUND WHEN I HIT A BUMP. LET UP ON THE BRAKE, NO CHIRP. APPLY THE BRAKE AGAIN AND HIT ANOTHER BUMP, YOU GET A CHIRP.

ANYBODY HAVE ANY IDEAS???

First idea, turn off capslock. If you're getting chirps when going over bumps then it sounds like you have worn bushings.

 

[lskrogers]

Thank you, caps are off. Are bushings a big deal to replace? Can the fairly adept home mechanic do that job?

 

[KELLY88]

Thank you, caps are off. Are bushings a big deal to replace? Can the fairly adept home mechanic do that job?

For the most part they aren't a big deal but a few can be a real pain. There's a great article in the Tech Library on it here.

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/sway_bar_bushings_replacement.htm

Definitely go inspect your bushings, especially on the front, for crack or wear before buying a set. They may just need a little grease.

 

[lskrogers]

You have been very helpful so if you don't mind, one more question. There are bushings on top of the shocks and the sway bar bushings referred to in the link. How would you go about greasing the bushings if you mean the sway bar or for that matter anything else as there are no grease fittings. I'll owe you a beer if a little grease does the trick but how to do it?

 

[KELLY88]

You have been very helpful so if you don't mind, one more question. There are bushings on top of the shocks and the sway bar bushings referred to in the link. How would you go about greasing the bushings if you mean the sway bar or for that matter anything else as there are no grease fittings. I'll owe you a beer if a little grease does the trick but how to do it?

If you're able to, just remove the bushing and put a film of grease with your finger around the inside where it's going to contact and spin around the metal.

 

[lskrogers]

You are referring to the bushings on top of the shocks?

 

[KELLY88]

You are referring to the bushings on top of the shocks?

More reffering to the sway bar bushings. As for the shocks though its basically the same idea. Just put some grease anywhere there is bushing to metal contact if its possible.

 

[UrbanRedneckKid]

I had an IFS Exploder in the shop last thursday that was doing the same thing. Turned out to be the lower ball joints.
Check them for play, any movement have em changed.
Also, poke a small hole in the boots and spray some lube in there w/ the little straw that comes with the can,(WD40 or PB Blaster) then take I for a ride, If the noise is gone get new ball joints. If the noise is still there put some RTV on the holes in the boots and regrease the joints and look else where
Good Luck