You guys have always been very helpful on this board. I have another
question for you "gurus".
I have a 98 Ford Ranger (2x4, 2.5L, 100,000 miles) and in the past few
months, I notice a terrible "grunting" noise when I go over speedbumps
or any other road issue that jolts my truck.
This afternoon I actually changed my shocks (front and rear) for the
first time (woo hoo!!!) only to find the problem still exists. It's
not a metal grinding noise; I can only describe it as a "grunt".
Seems to be coming from more of the front end.
ANY IDEAS????
Thanks in advance!
On Sun, 28 Oct 2007 21:43:19 -0700, snewman1209 rearranged some electrons
to say:
> You guys have always been very helpful on this board. I have another
> question for you "gurus".
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>
> Thanks in advance!
Probably a bushing that is worn out, or perhaps a worn-out ball joint.
djdave - 29 Oct 2007 13:56 GMT
On my berretta it was the inner tie rods (odd) on my santa fe it is
the control arm bushings.
I would bet the control arm bushings are dry.
>On Sun, 28 Oct 2007 21:43:19 -0700, snewman1209 rearranged some electrons
>to say:
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
>
>Probably a bushing that is worn out, or perhaps a worn-out ball joint.
IYM - 29 Oct 2007 18:24 GMT
On my Saturn Vue, when I pulled/turned onto an apron to enter a lot (or
similar), the front end creaking would sound like an old Lincoln with bad
leaf springs or the "old bedsprings" noise you hear at a cheap motel
(.....not that i'd...ummm...know anything about that...)
Anyway, it was more prominent when it got colder/cooler....Turned out to be
the Strut Towers...Not sure if the Ranger has them, but it's another
suggestion should you need one...
IYM
> On Sun, 28 Oct 2007 21:43:19 -0700, snewman1209 rearranged some electrons
> to say:
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
>
> Probably a bushing that is worn out, or perhaps a worn-out ball joint.
snewman1209@gmail.com - 29 Oct 2007 19:38 GMT
Thanks for the comments!
My bro-in-law mentioned i should stop by Jiffy Lube and see if maybe I
just need to get some things oiled. I am stopping by today and will
report back!
Also, how in the world do I go about replacing control arm bushings!?
And if they are just dry, do I need to replace them? Or just oil
them?
djdave - 30 Oct 2007 13:57 GMT
Oil? no..
If they are squeaking, they are dry rotted and need to be replaced. If
you can bounce the car by hand, see if you can reproduce the noise. If
you can, grab a friend and have him bounce it while you spray wd40 or
any lube on the control arm bushings. If th noise subsides, you know
you have the issue at hand.
Call around for prices on replacing both sides, and also alignment.
I have done them before, you need special tools, and good mechanical
skills.
>Thanks for the comments!
>
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>And if they are just dry, do I need to replace them? Or just oil
>them?
My vote is the control arm bushings are shot. This is another job that you
could do at home, but it is more difficult (physically demanding as opposed
to technically challenging) than shocks.
You should replace the bushings on both sides, but you could try going over
the bumps at an angle, first one angle then the other, to see if the noise
is more on the left or right.
The springs rest in a rubber bushing too, these wear out and can make a
groaning noise.
> You guys have always been very helpful on this board. I have another
> question for you "gurus".
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>
> Thanks in advance!