sounds like rumple strip
 

Hi ,I have 99 ranger xlt offroad 4x4 3.0 flexfeul I just had my transmission replaced 1-18-10 and thought it would change but didn't. As I drive down the road and hit a small bump I get this noise that sounds like I am driving on rumple strip. When I stop th e truck the noise stops and I go on my way. I also recently had my hubs changed to manual (rugged ridge) and within 7 days when unlocked the left one just fell out. Couldn't find anywhere, and when I checked the other side I was able to just pull it out. When locked it won't come out. Could the missing hub be responsible for the noise? Thanks for your time.

Im sure its not good that part of your hub. Have you checked all your lugs and made sure they are tight?

Check your ujoints also

Does it sound like you are driving a tank? Like "Clank Clank"? You might need to replace your U-Joints like buck recommended.

No its more like super knobby tires and is directly proportional to speed. I hit a bump and it is like at tires on fender well plastic, or rumple strip on thr highway.

How long has been since you checked your wheel bearings?

Mine made a sound like your describing when they went out.

I had them checked when they replaced my ball joints 3 months ago

By the same place that changed the hubs ?
If so , I'd get another opinion from a different shop.

Can you feel it through the steering wheel when it makes this noise?

I don't know as I'm not there to hear the noise and diagnose it, but I'd almost put money on the wheel bearings are shot.

no I don't feel it through the steering wheel it only happens on the right side and it did it before my tranny was replaced and I thought that would take care of the noise. It can happen at any speed but when I come to complete stop and start driving again it is gone, and it is not every bump I hit as there are alot of them here in Maine.

agreed



you said when you hit a bump, how long after you hit the bump does it continue, if it's only a few seconds, it sounds like it might be swaybar end links or something simple like that, but i would check upper and lower ball joints, tie rod ends, wheel bearings... simple to do, jack up one tire, have someone sit in the truck, and hold the steering wheel, try to turn the wheel side to side, if there is play, tie rod ends, then try to push and pull the top and bottom of the wheel, if there is play here, it's a ball joint, finally, take 2 long pry bars, and put them under the wheel, parallel to the axle, and lift up (prying the wheel away from the floor) and feel if there is play, this is wheel bearings... the play you are looking for is anything sloppy, and makes a clunking sound... you will know it when you feel it, chances are if you do notice it on one of these motions, it will not be in the other 2... they should all feel tight, and all 3 should feel the same

problem solved, working hub was not totaly unlocked and kept going into 4wheel drive. Took other hub out and have had no problem. Now just waiting for the new locking hubs that are back ordered. Thanks for all your help, Scott

wow.. I JUST had the same problem today.. After doing some trail riding I got back onto the road and turned my manual hubs to FREE... then after I hit a bump it started the "RUMBLE STRIP" noise.. I was like WTF! Turned out it was just my hubs weren't completely unlocked!

mine was wheel bearings/hub assembly. that is probably my guess