HELP ! 2003 Ranger rattling front end suspension noise, REWARD for info !
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My '03 had a clunk in the front end for years. I bought it new. The first time I took the truck in to a Ford dealer about it the mechanic said it was "normal slop in the drivetrain". I didn't believe it, but thanked them and got my truck out of there. Two years ago a different Ford dealer replaced the defective lower ball joints and told me everything else was fine even though the clunk continued. I continued to drive the truck while playing close attention to the clunk. About two months ago the clunk got very frequent and so noisy I took the truck to the neighborhood mechanic who works on our '69 Chevelle and the upper ball joint on the passenger side was about to break off. I would suggest taking off the front tires and try to get a pry bar between the upper control arm and the upper ball joint, try to lift it and check how much play is there. Good Luck and keep us posted.
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I am trying to find the source of a annoying clanking noise rattle in front end suspension of a 2003 2WD Ranger, it happens worse in warm weather. I will pay a $50 reward to anyone who gives me info that leads to a fix. Symptoms: A very annoying clanking rattle feel coming from front driver's side suspension, mostly noticable in warm weather and louder at slow speeds on small bumpy terrain. Feels like something is about to fall off the suspension at slow speed. I can also reproduce the clanking noise when pressing down on front bumper. I have taken it to Ford dealership and several repairs shops, but no one can find source of the problem with any certainty. I have replaced the front shocks, tightnened bearing packs and replaced upper control arm bushings, but noise and clunking noise at slow speeds is still there. I will send $50 to the first person who gives me info that leads to a fix. If anyone else has experienced this and found a cure, please feel free to email me directly at Lundyusa@Gmail.Com. Thanks, Joe
If you press down on the Fender does it make the noise?
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I say start at the beginning. Lock the parking brake and check the suspension.Jack up one side at a time and move the tire from top to bottom to see there is a bearing issue.Then try it from left to right to test for tie-rod issues. Then test the ball joints. Easy way is to jack up the truck under the control arm, raise the tire about 2 inches off the ground, Then take anything like a piece of 2x4 lay on the ground in front of the tire and use a pry bar as a fulcrum to pick up on the tire. this will flex the ball joints while you do this use a bright flashlight to look at them to see if there is any movement in them. This should give you as starting point to finding your problem. let us know. Good luck.
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It sounds like the shop replaced the bushings where the upper arms bolt up to the frame. But that's not the same thing as replacing the ball joints (which attach to the knuckle).