well. today is saturday, and its my little cousins birthday and i was going over to new jersey to visit him and some family that i hadnt seen in almost two years. my little cousin is turning 4 btw. So yesterday i went out and bought some presents and got up this morning which was a surprise for me being in college and all.

anyways, i got gas, went to dunkins and got a sandwhich and coffee and was on my way, i got about 10ish miles away from school and my truck started acting like a flat tire in a way, so i pulled over into a parking lot and checked the tire pressure and kicked the tire and stuff a little bit, got back in my truck and moved it about 3 feet and heard a grinding sound, now for the past week and a half i heard a metallic ping sound everytime i went over a bump and i couldnt figure out what it was, anyways, i get back out and look at the rim and see the brake caliper resting against my rim, so of course i start cursing because now im not going anywhere.

called up a tow truck and got my truck towed to the local ford dealer, and i took pictures because i had warranty brake work done at my dealer back in maine. so needless to say that the dealer back home is going to be getting a call about the work, because they were the last ones that touched the brakes..

well my truck is now sitting in the back lot of the ford dealer until monday when i can go into to make a service appointment, because apparently the service dept isnt open on saturdays down here. and they wouldnt let me make an appointment..

but im glad all of this happened in town because once i hit the highway and 65-70 mph speeds i wouldnt want to have see what would happen if my caliper fell off going that fast, and im also glad its now because in two weeks im towing a uhaul trailer from selinsgrove pa to auburn me..so losing a caliper with a trailer would not have been the most fun thing in the world.. i know its not a huge catastrophe but i needed to rant because i was really looking forward to seeing my family.. in the last two weeks ive gotten a parking ticket while unloading groceries into my dorm, had to get the truck jumped once, and it took three cycles of the key to start yesterday. lets hope this is the last problems i have for a while.. anyways on with the pics..

 

You didn't need to get it towed. Just need to get a caliper bolt and put it back in there and you'll be good to go.

 

towing is complementary in my insurance. plus i had no tools on me, nor did i feel like messing around with it by myself in the middle of the parking lot..so i just had it towed to save myself the headache..

 

i agree. i have had this before on a different car and i was able to drive it home about 15km with no issues. got home and just threw a new bolt in it

 

i understand what you guys are saying. but i wasnt going to chance it, i didnt pay a dime for the tow so i said screw it, besides i had no tools with me and the auto parts store was not anywhere close..

 

i wish i had free towing

 

well.. its kinda free, i have to pay insurance and its included.. but my family and i go through USAA which is a military insurance if im not mistaken, because my dad was in vietnam..hes been with them for like 40 years or something soo i lucked out on that one.. i mean. if i took the time and looked at it, i probably could have done it by myself..but i really had no idea what i was dealing with. so i just said whatever and called. lol

 

Get AAA

 

in canada i caa but it is only free for short distance

 

USAA FTW!!!!

 

Having free towing is different then. If you actually had to pay for the tow then you would've just been better off to drive it. But yea just get a new caliper bolt and pop it back in there and you'll have no issues. You just need to keep an eye on it from now on. I check mine just about every oil change/tire rotation.

 

^ Did you read the part about having warranty work done to it?

 

i drove my truck missing a caliper bolt lol. only a short distance though.

 

id check that wheel too, ive had this happen before, destroyed a full set of wheels too, bolts kept backing out, even with locktite. no longer have that problem now oddly enough.

 

i've had this happen to me before i was pulling a trailer, i was going about 45 when it happen to me it made my front left tire lock up,it left a bald spot on the tire and craked my rim lucky you found the problem before you rim messed up

 

i was in selinsgrove this morning should of called me. also i had the tools to fix it too

 

what should i be looking for? the rim isnt to bad but theres a nice ring around the inside of it..

crap man, im happy i caught it now..not on the highway or in two weeks towing..rims messed up but its so minimal it shouldnt affect it.

really? damn. what time? ohhh thats probably why you called. haha i went to dinner and left my phone in my room.. actually i just checked my phone about an hour ago.. oops.

 

outch! Funny thing is that this is COMMON on 98+ Rangers!!! Get yourself 4 new caliper to knuckle bolts, get red locktite and soak the threads with a couble dribbles, and tighten them mothers on there good!! I like to use my 18" 1/2" drive ratcheting breaker bar. hehe.

 

you wont regret it.

had to replace one bolt when i first got my lift kit put on...replaced it with some odd bolt and a washer..

bout 3-4months later....drivin through a very hilly area....clunk. Lost yet another bolt. lucky me i tend to carry all my tools in my ranger.

Replaced it with another odd bolt but with tons of loctite...worked, but im glad i dont have to deal with that setup anymore lol cuz it was annoying.

 

thanks for the info shane! ill have to get on that this week.