Hello Ranger users,

I have been having slight issues with the truck lately. The last 3 months I have noticed a clunking and banging from under my feet while going over uneven ground. The top and lower control arms/ball joints had been replaced last year along with new struts. I also noticed a popping noise when I push down on the passenger side that seems to originate from the knuckle. I jacked up the truck and could move the wheel if I grabbed it at 12 and 6 O'clock, I guess that is the wheel bearing if I'm not mistaken. I will be replacing the Rotors since they have 290K miles on them in a few months so I will do the bearings then but is it possible a lot of the clunking is from worn Sway bar to Frame bushings? That is the only other part on the front suspension that hasn't been replaced even though they look solid but you can move the sway bar back and forth about a millimeter. Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks,

 

Replaced the Bushings for bar to frame and it made a heck of a difference. IT was the issue, no more rattling and banging! Best $15 ever spent.

 

I have been having the same issue with the clunking sound. I have done all the control arms and ball joints along with new shocks. I was considering the swaybar bushings as the issue and saw this thread, so now it will be the next thing I try.

I will post back with my results just in case other people are struggling with this weakness in the suspension.

 

My Neon did the same noises. Only way worse. I decided to heck with it and bought the bushings. Took me 20 minutes from start to finish (I soaked the bolts for 3 days). It's night and day with the drive now. Did my car the same week, snapped 3 out of 4 bolts took 6 hours :D