Weird noise

[Daveyboy1982]

I just bought my ranger about 2 weeks ago and it's a 2011 super cab xlt 4x4 v6 and in the morning when I go to leave I back out of the driveway no noises but soon as I start going forward I get what I call a groaning noise coming from the front end it only last a couple of seconds and it doesn't happen again until the truck has been sitting all day in the cold or overnight other than that it doesn't make any sounds at all so my question is, is this something I should worry about because It doesn't happen all the time and everything seems to be working like it should

 

[Uncle Gump]

One thing is probably going to be true... if you don't find out what it is... it will probably get worse.

I say you heighten your senses and see if you can narrow it down to where. Maybe even have someone else in the driver seat while you listen from outside the vehicle.

 

[rumblecloud]

Yeah. Lot's of moving parts down under when you accelerate. Get some help from outside the vehicle and try to narrow it down a bit: Front, rear, left, right, etc.

 

[Daveyboy1982]

It sounds like the driver side front it almost sounds like the brakes rubbing but it happens so quick and then doesn't happen again til it has sat a long time and I've noticed that if it's a little warmer outside the noise either doesn't happen or just barley at all

 

[rumblecloud]

K, this is gonna sound real technical, but...
Tomorrow morning before you start the truck, just get on the left front bumper or wheel well and physically lean into it - push or pull to see if you can isolate or recreate the noise. with no engine noise, that should help narrow it down even more.

Again, lots of stuff down there...

 

[Daveyboy1982]

K, this is gonna sound real technical, but...
Tomorrow morning before you start the truck, just get on the left front bumper or wheel well and physically lean into it - push or pull to see if you can isolate or recreate the noise. with no engine noise, that should help narrow it down even more.

Again, lots of stuff down there...

I will try that I'm hoping it's something simple but who knows

 

[Uncle Gump]

Something else...

Noises come in frequencies... engine speed... wheel speed... driveshaft speed. See if what you hear is related to one of those speeds.

Going from reverse to drive... is it maybe a groan of the suspension changing direction?

Being you just bought it... How much of an inspection have you given the truck?

 

[Daveyboy1982]

Something else...

Noises come in frequencies... engine speed... wheel speed... driveshaft speed. See if what you hear is related to one of those speeds.

Going from reverse to drive... is it maybe a groan of the suspension changing direction?

Being you just bought it... How much of an inspection have you given the truck?

I appreciate all the feedback, I just went out and drove it and it had sat for about 4 hours and it's roughly 30 degrees out and the noise was there for just a few seconds and it's not a constant noise when it does it it sounds like whomp whomp whomp, and it goes away if i hit the brakes but if I start moving again its there but I drove it a little ways and let it sit a few minutes and drove again and nothing, it was quiet

 

[Daveyboy1982]

Someone in another forum I'm in suggested that it might be the power steering fluid level or the condition of it, I'm not sure if that would be it or not

 

[rumblecloud]

If it were more of a scraping sound, I'd say brake pad related. Checking the fluid levels should be done regardless, but I don't see how that would cause the sound you are describing -- but then I'm not the smartest guy on this forum.

 

[Uncle Gump]

The newer power steering pumps with the remote reservoir aren't as noisy as the earlier ones... they kinda whine/buzz... and they do it constantly.

So it doesn't make the noise sitting stationary... only moving. And it stops when applying the brakes.

I'll ask again... Have you given the brakes and suspension a good solid inspection?

 

[Daveyboy1982]

The newer power steering pumps with the remote reservoir aren't as noisy as the earlier ones... they kinda whine/buzz... and they do it constantly.

So it doesn't make the noise sitting stationary... only moving. And it stops when applying the brakes.

I'll ask again... Have you given the brakes and suspension a good solid inspection?

No I haven't yet but I will when I get the chance

 

[Daveyboy1982]

I don't want to sound stupid but what would make the noise only happen on the initial drive and not all the time and when its cold out ,if it is in fact coming from the brakes or suspension

 

[Roert42]

I don't want to sound stupid but what would make the noise only happen on the initial drive and not all the time and when its cold out ,if it is in fact coming from the brakes or suspension

My first thought is that the pads are sticking to the rotors, and once the wheels do a couple of rotations they are cleaned off and the noise goes away till it sits for a while.


I've seen power steering pumps whine at startup, then quite down after they get the fluids moving, but it would be more two the drivers side and more of a whining squealing sound.

 

[Daveyboy1982]

My first thought is that the pads are sticking to the rotors, and once the wheels do a couple of rotations they are cleaned off and the noise goes away till it sits for a while.


I've seen power steering pumps whine at startup, then quite down after they get the fluids moving, but it would be more two the drivers side and more of a whining squealing sound.

Ya I don't think it's the power steering, it doesn't whine at all just the moaning type sound but the pads sticking to the rotors sounds like that could be it, I'm not real good at working on cars but is that something that would be easy to fix or diagnose for sure