Hunting down rattle in door and looking for feedback on expected ride quality of Ranger

[bmjohnson35]

I recently acquired a 2006 ranger. The truck has 244k miles on the body. I'm not sure how quiet these were originally, but there's a metallic rattle around the driver side door latch area whenever you hit pot holes or rough spots on the road. The ride is relatively quiet for a 14 year old base model pickup. Is creaks and rattles common on these or were they originally quiet and solid? I assume it's reflective of age and mileage, but wanted to seek input from the forum.

Assuming there are some corrective measures I can take to reduce the rattles and "tighten up" the cab, I already plan to replace flooring and possibly add some butyl sound deadening mat on the interior floors, doors & walls. The door weather strip is soft and compliant, with no tears and I don't hear any air leaks. The hardware for the door latch are all tight. I see a door hinge pin and bushing kit available online. Does this sound reasonable item to try to address the rattle or does the group have any other suggestion(s)?

Thanks,
BJ

 

[MaicoDoug]

Hello bj-

Mine is a 4 door. You may have worn hinge pins. The way to tell is look if the top of the door at the most aft point has fallen down.

If that is all good, try some "bump stops" installed near the latch. I found these in the multi-drawer hardware area at my local Lowes. A Hillman pn# 881324 & 881322 black rubber tapered bump stop. These will take up the loose in yer goose.

Ride quality? Mine used to ride like a cement truck. Get you some new shocks and get those rattles tightened up and save up for gas - Doug

 

[Ranger850]

i know that the door mechanism is made of rods and plastic clips. There are some black foam pads strategically placed inside the door to keep the rods from rattling upside the inner door. Maybe as simple as that foam piece has fallen to the bottom of the door.

 

[Curious Hound]

With that mileage, I would expect some rattles, squeaks and other miscellaneous sounds - from any vehicle. Check what the others have mentioned. Maybe even remove the inner door panel and see if something has fallen down into the bottom of the door. Many Rangers gave a plastic piece that covers the pin that the door latch grabs onto. That plastic piece gets worn and allows play in the door latch. It's replaceable.

Worn suspension bushings will cause noise. But, if they have been replaced with nylon bushings, you may get squeaks from them. The OEM rubber bushings are usually quieter but don't last as long.

My driver seat makes noise. Sometimes it sounds exactly like a fart. I haven't found the source of that noise yet.

 

[MikeG]

My driver seat makes noise. Sometimes it sounds exactly like a fart. I haven't found the source of that noise yet.

Look in your underwear for skid marks

 

[Ranger850]

My driver seat makes noise. Sometimes it sounds exactly like a fart. I haven't found the source of that noise yet.

I was hearing a "squeak" ion my seat when getting in/out. Intermittent of course. Could NOT track it down. Then one day I was walking to the car and heard the squeak every time I took a step with my left foot. Long story short, It was my belt buckle squeaking the whole time.

 

[MaicoDoug]

I think I overshot that sucker....