ranger squeaking

[bottomshot]

My '01 ranger squeaks like a broken down mattress. It's pretty loud, it actually turns heads. It's somewhere in the front suspension. Squeaks when I turn, squeaks when I hit bumps. My dad said he saw a ranger just like mine driving around and it was squeaking too, so I decided to post here thinking it might be a known issue.

I've gone under it and soaked everything with WD-40, which almost stopped the squeaking for ~2 weeks, but never completely. I replaced all the shocks and it had no effect. I can keep spraying WD-40 but I'd like a more permanent solution if there's an easy one. Anyway just thought it couldn't hurt to throw it out there. Anyone?

 

[Earl43P]

Lower ball joints make that kind of noise.

Have someone bounce the front end (engine off) while you stick your head under there and look/listen. Helps to turn the wheel full left/right so you can get in there close.

WD40 may help you pinpoint what it is, but as a long term solution, it is of no use whatsoever.

 

[Nhaz]

If you have a front stabilizer bar. The rubber grommets in those linkages like to squeak after awhile.

If you determine the squeaks are coming from the ball joints. If they are squeaking they are dry. Dry ball joints are wearing ball joints.

Have the same friend rock the truck side to side while you lie down on the ground and watch the ball joints some more.

If you can see ANY sort of play even Tiny amounts in the ball joint its Done. they should rotate with the wheel and That's all, any other motion they are done.

And take worn ball joints Seriously Literally last night on the way home 20 k away from the nearest phone I pulled over to help a lady in a civic whos lower ball joint on the driver side popped out and put her in the ditch. I didn't bother trying to pull the honda out theres not much point. it needs a flatbed since the only thing holding the wheel on is the bent shock.

 

[bottomshot]

thanks, good info i'll check it out

 

[bruker]

Sounds like ball joints to me too. If they're bad replace them, if they're just squeaking grease them.

 

[TheBeast]

Mine did it the whole time I had the 99. Almost 2 years later, I know the guy that I sold it to. Truck showed up in the shop. Wheel came off it when his son was in the mud and the balls joints f'd up. Suprising they lasted 2 years like that. lol