Suspension Tech General discussion of suspension for the Ford Ranger.

Bad Ball Joints???

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Old 05-20-2008
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Icon4 Bad Ball Joints???

Heres the problem,when I take left turns doing highway speeds i can feel

something loose on the driver side suspension. Its like a vibrating right under my

feet. I checked the shocks,put in new outer wheel bearings and checked

suspension and no luck so far. I think it might be the ball joints but want to

make sure before I spend the $$$. BTW this is my 1990 beater im talking about.
 
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Old 05-20-2008
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Old 05-20-2008
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Could be but Im stumped also...ive checked the ball joints and they seem fine. Im just trying to get ideas of stuff to check this weekend.
 
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Old 05-20-2008
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thanks...so you dont think a bad ball joint would vibrate like that?
 
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Old 05-20-2008
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I did what you said and the DS has a tab bit of play(the problem side)but the PS has twice as much almost feels like the lug nuts are not tight(they are though). Im thinking ball joints at the moment.
 
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Old 05-20-2008
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Kevin , When is the last time you had the tires balenced , if there reall bad you can get these symptoms but normally only at a certain speed range like only 55-65 then it fades mine did this for a couple weeks before I had the new tires put on .

If it turns out to be the joints , I can come over and help if you have all the tools .
 
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Old 05-20-2008
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Nevermind , Sounds like bearings can you pull your center cap and see if its loose (spindle nut) , or bearing is out all together .
 
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Old 05-21-2008
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I can check,feels like the bearing i guess I did not tighten the spindle nut good enough
 
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Old 05-21-2008
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make sure you torque the spindle nut to the right specs. my friend just had this issue on his dodge ram ss/t and it ended up just being that the nut was loose
 
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Old 05-21-2008
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whats the specs on the spindle nut? I was told get it snug and then back off a 1/2 turn. If you get it too tight the wheel wont turn
 
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Old 05-21-2008
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Old 05-22-2008
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Old 05-22-2008
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When you shake your wheel by hand, if you look at your ball joint you can see movement if thats the problem. Just had mine replaced, i had a similar problem. when id drive straight down the freeway the drivers side wheel would shake pretty bad. Turned out to be a worn out bearing and worn lower ball joints.
 
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Old 05-22-2008
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I tighend the spindle nut a little and working good so far.
 
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Old 05-28-2008
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I am having kinda the same problem but replaced the inner and outer bearings on both sides. the problem side is the driver side it just kinda has a shake to it and you can hear it kinda rattling what do yall think??? I just went and bought the ball joint press and everything. Tell me what yall think. Thanks!!
 
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