Towed Ranger Now Has Severe Shudder!

[SMB2500]

A local repair shop towed my Ranger to their shop yesterday to repair an electrical problem. When I picked it up in the evening, I noticed a pretty severe "shudder" only when making 90 degree right turns. It feels as if something is bent or possibly knocked loose. It does it every time and only on right turns. Going straight or making left turns seems fine. It was not flat-bedded, and I wasn't there to see how they towed it.

I haven't called the shop yet. I expect they'll tell me how many years they've been towing, and that they know what they're doing and couldn't possibly have messed anything up. I just wanted to see if anyone has had any experience with this, or might be able to give me a clue as to what the problem might be before I call them.

Thanks!!

P.S. Forgot to mention... this is a 2000 model that is 2 wheel drive with a manual transmission.

 

[JohnnyU]

I suspect that they towed it on a wheel lift, where the truck's weight is still supported by the front suspension, as opposed to being on the sling where the front wheels hang.

Wheel lift:

Sling:

I would look underneath the truck for damaged or bent steering components. Sounds like something is bent, but it's hard to say without seeing the front end since its only when turning right.

 

[wrecking-crew]

maybe warped rotor. if not they bent your steering

 

[SMB2500]

Took it down the street to the local Goodyear so they could check it out on their lift, before calling the repair shop. The guy said there was too much movement in the right wheel and the ball joints needed to be replaced. So... perhaps the towing just did something to augment an existing problem. Funny thing is, after the truck was on the lift and the guy was moving the wheel around, the shuddering just about stopped! I'm assuming the ball joint was possibly "put back into place" by his moving it around then lowering it to the floor.

So... I need to get off my lazy *#Y&, jack up the truck, check it out for myself and probably change those ball joints. I'm sure I could save a bundle doing it myself, then driving it to a shop for the alignment. Goodyear wanted almost $400 for the job. Probably a bit steep!

 

[Earl43P]

Could this simply be air in the Power Steering system?

Happens pretty easy if they turned the front wheels with engine off.

 

[SMB2500]

Knowing how the truck was positioned when they picked it up, I can say with certainty that they turned the wheels with the engine off. If air in the power steering system is the culprit, or is contributing to the problem, how is it bled out? I've dealt with air in brake lines many times, but never in the steering.

 

[shaka.brah]

Could this simply be air in the Power Steering system?

Happens pretty easy if they turned the front wheels with engine off.

Had the same thing happen when I put spindles in my truck. The guy at the alignment shop said its common with all Rangers with power steering and happens very easily when the wheels are turned with the engine off. He told me to just keep driving and it will work itself out. It worked ...

 

[SMB2500]

"He told me to just keep driving and it will work itself out. It worked .."

I think you have something there. My shudder has just about gone away now.

 

[caveman_joey]

Had a the same issue when my timing belt broke and got towed home about 14 miles... for about a week i noticed the shudder and now its gone.. but of course i do know for fact that my ball joints upper/lower and bushings need to be replaced again (thank you rough dirt roads and poor county maintenance). I'm not letting a shop do it though i'll do it myself and then get the front end aligned when the $ comes around to tackle that job

 

[srteach]

Getting the air out of steering system ...
Put the truck on stands, with front end off ground.
Start engine, let idle.
SLOWLY turn the steering wheel lock to lock 10 times, or until it mostly stops whining.
put it on the ground and drive it.

The procedure will eliminate most of the air in the system, and what's left will work itself out soon after.

 

[Blueranger99]

i would definately do the balljoints my self. i saved $680 doing the balljoints on my truck myself. my truck needed upper and lower on both sides. the shop wanted $900 and i did it for parts- $220.