Suspension Tech General discussion of suspension for the Ford Ranger.

Need some help, death wobble and transmission issue

Old May 21, 2020
  #1  
Ugotit22's Avatar
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From: Wallingford
Need some help, death wobble and transmission issue

Hey guys I have a 1998 ranger 4.0 I'm having issues with.
Purchased the truck around 3 weeks ago. My mechanic did lower ball joints, outer tie rod ends, shocks, and upper control arms with ball joints on both sides. He also did new plugs and wires and a valve cover gasket.
I drove the truck for 2 days with no issues. Took it to Monroe two days ago for an ailegment, transmission service (just drain and fill) and oil change. I picked the truck up and drove it approximately 200 yards away and it just died out of no where and would not turn back over. Monroe came over could not find the problem, suggested it was probably a died fuel pump and left. I towed the truck back to the shop with my brothers truck and let them deal with it. During all of this I notice there is power sterling fluid all over the inside of the hood as well as soaking everything near the reservoir and cap.
I bring it up to Monroe yesterday AM they suggest the fluid is from towing it back, makes no sense to me but whatever.
They find the issue was with the wiring harness for the ignition coil
I pick up the truck last night and drive around for a bit then home. On the way home I hit a bump at 50 mph and the entire front end and sterling wheel goes into a death wobble. I get home now I see tranny fluid pissing aswell. I checked thr transmission dip stick and it's way over filled. Take it for another spin, now the power steering pump is whining super load. Look in the reservoir and it's all bubblie and frothy looking.
any ideas of where I should even start.
Aside from jumping off a bridge.
 
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Old May 22, 2020
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RonD's Avatar
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Yes, if truck was towed by lifting the rear, common with automatics, then power steering fluid can spit out as wheels turn going around corners, depends on how it was towed

To fix this just start engine and turn steering wheel lock to lock a few times, i.e. turn it all the way right then all the way left a few times, that should clear out all the air in the lines
May sure to top up fluid first, then top it up again if lower

Death wobble means something is loose, I know DUH, jack up both front wheel and check, jacking up the front and starting engine to do the air bleed is also best, but not required


If trans was overfilled then ATF will flow out the vent on transmission, I assume you were testing fluid level with engine running?
If this is the case then shop should drain fluid out to correct level
Shop tech may have looked at your transmissions, 5R55E, ATF capacity, and didn't allow for torque converter already being full, so over filled it, its a newby mistake, it doesn't hurt the transmission but does make a MESS



 

Last edited by RonD; May 22, 2020 at 10:11 AM.
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