Radius arm rust holes

[Baker85]

Hi new to forum I have a 97 Ford ranger 2.3 auto I just notices my drivers side radius arm has rust holes above shock mount I plan on replacing it but don’t have the money todo it right now is it ok to drive for a few weeks like it is I added some pictures

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Just dont whack into any potholes, curbs, or anything else hard. I think youll be ok.

 

[Snoranger]

I usually like to go by the theory... if a suspension component has rot holes in it, stop driving it and replace it.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I usually like to go by the theory... if a suspension component has rot holes in it, stop driving it and replace it.

Not everyone always has the funds/access to a 2nd vehicle to do that.

It should be replaced sooner then later....but dont drive like a loon i think youll be fine. Keep an eye on it. I doubt it would fail all at once.

 

[franklin2]

When you are under there replacing that arm, take a serious look at the rest of the truck. It's unusual to have something in one place rust out without having damage and serious rust in other places.

I have been in situations like this also. Knew I needed to find another truck. But everywhere I looked they were in just as bad a shape or they wanted a fortune and I would have to pay to inherit their mechanical problems. My truck was great mechanically, bad for rust in the frame. I ended up getting the back half of a good frame at the junkyard and they sold it to me for $50, and I cut braces and pieces out that I needed to repair mine. A lot of work and rivet drilling. But all I had was time, not much money.

 

[Curious Hound]

Not everyone always has the funds/access to a 2nd vehicle to do that.

It should be replaced sooner then later....but dont drive like a loon i think youll be fine. Keep an eye on it. I doubt it would fail all at once.

Hey. It worked fine the last time he drove it. Should have left all the flaky loose rust on there to hide it. If you can't see a problem, it must be ok.

Seriously, I agree with Rusty on this. Drive it carefully and replace as soon as possible with emphasis on "soon".

 

[Snoranger]

Hey. It worked fine the last time he drove it. Should have left all the flaky loose rust on there to hide it. If you can't see a problem, it must be ok.

Seriously, I agree with Rusty on this. Drive it carefully and replace as soon as possible with emphasis on "soon".

I know that pretty much every time I’ve ever looked at pics of something, then went and looked at it in person... it’s looked worse in person.

 

[Baker85]

Thanks for the reply I going call shop in morning see if I can get estimated on getting it replaced rest truck is pretty solid for being in Ohio lot better then most around here other then the radius arms other one don’t have holes in but is very rusty

 

[JMF661]

Looks scary, I would park it until you can replace the components.

 

[adsm08]

I agree with the above. If it is your only option for getting around, drive carefully.

If you have any other option at all park it until you can get that fixed.

 

[svtcards]

Park it! Why risk your life for no reason

 

[Curious Hound]

Park it! Why risk your life for no reason

Apparently, he resides at point A and occasionally needs to transport himself to point B. That's why.

 

[MikeG]

Try not to catch any air time in it....

 

[Snoranger]

Apparently, he resides at point A and occasionally needs to transport himself to point B. That's why.

Point B is usually overrated. There’s a reason he chose to live at point A.

 

[franklin2]

You guys don't realize the risks you take everyday going out on the road. Some cars put pressure on the lower balljoint socket, if that socket fails that joint and the whole spindle assembly comes loose. That happened to my wife's Honda Accord. Fortunate for us it happened right as we pulled in the driveway, so I was only going 5mph. The whole spindle assembly came loose, pulled the axle out of the transmission, and the front of the car was sitting on the tire, it had tucked itself back up in the wheel well.

No warning no clunking, always passed inspection. I had noticed the steering was a little stiff, but didn't realize what was going on. If we were buzzing down the highway and it happened it would not have been good. I had replaced all the balljoints at about 140,000. It has 248,000 on it now. just happened a couple of months ago.