Anyone had this problem? Wheel noise/vibration 03
 

My 03 Ranger 4dr 4x4 has had a persistant problem with a sound coming from the front wheel area that sound like a thumping. It usually is noticiable between 30 and 45 mph and can also be felt through the steering wheel. Dealer rotated tires, changed wheel hub, and it is STILL doing it. Anyone else have this problem?

i had tha problem on my 96 ranger and it was mostly when i used the 4x4 but even when in 2wd i sitll herded it, i havd to ballance all 4 tires and they were compleatly off and that helped a lot and the last to fix it i had to replace the u joints.

o ya and welcome to the sight!! hope u enjoy it here

Thanks for the hint. What do I do if the dealer does not fix it, since it is STILL under warranty?
I do enjoy the site, been reading for a while!

how long until you get new tires?

they should fix it if under warranty and if u have to take someowe for a drive, try to get it fixed for free, or just bring to a local tire shop and ask to see if there ballanced right, a lot of pple dont ballance right, an check ur pressure in them to.

also post same post in general ranger forun u will gey mor replys and thoughts about it, id do that befor i try anything see what they say to.
lada Nick

Was having the same problem right before the last detroit meet. New Upper Ball joints/Control arms were the problem.

D.

How long did it take the dealer to realize what the problem was? Is this a flawed factory part?

Thanks for the reply!

Problem was noticed at around 5k miles on the odo.

My '03 did (and still does) the same thing. It appeared around 5K as well. I thought it might be a wheel bearing problem or something, but it's those #%@$ Goodyear tires that come on them. They just refuse to balance. The service people seem to be aware of the problem w/ these tires on Rangers, and i've even heard of one person getting them replaced under warranty. I'll keep on thump thump thumping until they wear out and then replace them w/ BF Goodrich AT's.

my font driver side wheel ( i htink its that one havent isolated it yet) just started clicking and I can hear it over my blasting music. I'm an `02 xlt 4x2 though. Is this the same problem? wtf is it, I'm gettin scered to drive her.

btw I dont have stock tires anymore.

clicking is different. Is this one click per tire revolution?
You may have a rock or nail stuck in tread, or something more mechanical.

Thanks for resurecting this thread!!

I am sure it is not gravel.....I checked.

I would be suprised if it is the tires as well...because the noise is consistent after a tire rotation.

yeah it's a clicking like something is slapping something else. it goes along with the wheels rotation but seems to be slower than the rotations of the wheel

Mine did that too between 35-45mph.
The tires were the problem. So I took
1 tire off at a time and replaced with
the spare until the problem went away.
Ended up getting new tires...
Cooper Discoverer ST

It's also possible that the steel belt has busted thru the rubber, and is slapping the pavement. Make sure you look at the inside sidewall as you spin the tire(s).

Driver's side CV axle shaft.. that's what mine was at least, and i had the same exact noise coming from my front driver's side wheel. it was annoying, although i hadn't yet noticed anything actually wrong with it (other than hearing it).

same thing here. they told me that they replaced the joints and stuff, but then said it was my tires? wtf. i rotate them at the proper times...

mine was the rotors....

This issue was finally worked out.... Turns out it WAS the crappy stock tires. Had this problem since the car was nearly new....what a waste.
New tires solved the problem.

Thank god you finally came back! I've been holding my breath for 6 months waiting for what was wrong!

jus kiddin :-)

Aaron

Tell me about it RED! I had it in the dealer several times for the SAME problem.....they wait until now to say...oh, its the tires. Should they NOT have changed them since I noted this problem with them when I had less than 10k miles??

I have a different problem myself. As I drive i hear a squealing that changes(like a wave) and it isnt worn down brake pads. I think either the rotor is outta whack or there is some type of rotor problem!

Damn front ends of our trucks! My boss at work today has a 96 ranger 4x4. He was tellin me about how jus yesterday his truck, the brake booster blew and he lost all power in his brakes(but he was towin his boat trailer out of the water). So he left his boat at the docks and took the truck/trailer home because he refilled brake fluid. When he got home, his trailer tire fell off! IT's kind wierd, but he's lucky hisbrakes wient bad! Otherwise he could've wrecked his truck on the highway!

Aaron

thats crazy **** aaron!