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Old 07-25-2008
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Newb with some issues

Hello, my name is Corey, and I acquired a 98 Ranger 2.3L (?) when my grandfather passed away. The truck is relatively low mileage at about 77k, but it does have a few problems. I'll list them in a moment to see if maybe I'm in the right place to get some help.

A few things about myself. I am an avid car enthusiast... well, maybe not so avid lately. I have built up an older Toyota specifically for drifting and cruising around for fun. All of the work was done by myself or a friend with my help. So I'm not really new to cars, just Rangers :D.

So onto the ranger. It's a little beat, just an old work truck my grandfather used. Just like anything, it's got some problems.

The front upper/lower balljoints are all bad... weird to me, but they make sooo much noise. Can they be replaced individually, or do they have to be bought with control arms?

The truck has an intermittent CEL. It just comes on and off at no real intervals.

There is a shudder in the idle sometimes, and the truck will sometimes die if the steering is cranked too much or if it's cold and you press the brakes. I'm thinking this is just a vacuum leak somewhere. The truck also has a hard time idling down while coasting with the clutch in. I think these may be related.

Lastly, the truck has detonation like no other. i cannot believe how bad it pings.

So, am in the right place for finding the answers to these things? I think that once I repair these items plus fix a bunch of little trim things, the truck will be a great daily with much life and use left in it. I'm just looking to get it back up to a good level of driveability as well as find out what recalls/TSB's it may qualify for or are out for the truck. Thanks and nice to meet you!
 
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Old 07-25-2008
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Howdy & welcome to the site! You will probably have better luck with your questions in the appropriate forum. Enjoy your stay!
 
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Old 07-25-2008
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welcome to R-F, C.E.!
 
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Old 07-26-2008
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welcome to RF
 
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Old 07-26-2008
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Welcome aboard.
 
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Old 07-26-2008
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Howdy,

I too suspect a vacuum leak. Don't know about the ball joints though.

Rich
 
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Old 07-29-2008
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welcome to the site.
 
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Old 09-03-2008
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Welcome. Ball joints can b changed out seperately. But U might want to go do the search thing. It's all there
 
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Old 09-03-2008
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Welcome, did not know 98 had a 2.3?
 
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Old 09-11-2008
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Welcome to the R-F club.
 
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Old 09-11-2008
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the lowers are just a single balljoint which is pressed in.

the uppers you have to replace the whole control arm.

get the code from the CEL this will help determine the issue. autozone will pull the code for free.
 
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