Front end issue
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Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 25
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Front end issue
OK, started a thread on this a while back and I am just too derned lazy to find it and bring it up to speed. I have a 2000 Ranger, 2wd, 5 speed, ext cab, has the independent suspension, tow package....great truck, love it but the front end alignment is wayyyyyyyyyyy off. Here is a list of the symptoms/problems.
1. When we first start in the mornings the pull to the right feels like a blowout on the passenger front, but as the day goes on and the miles rack up it does not pull as hard.
2. Driver side tire worn almost bald on the inside but not worn at all the outside (lower ball joint has been replaced, the old one had a damaged boot, all other components appear fine).
3. When backing out of a parking space and turning hard either to the right or left there is a single hard solid thunk/pop on the passenger side. No play or visibly damaged components at all.
4. When the steering wheel is straight up and the wheels are viewed from the front of the truck the driver side is perfectly in line with the body of the truck but the passenger side is turned slightly as if to go right (or your left if you are looking at it).
5. The driver side sits down lower than the passenger side aka the truck 'leans' on the driver side.
The bad part of all of this is I bought the truck like this with the only difference being it has gotten worse. Before it just was a LITTLE bit out of alignment. Now I fear I am facing either a busted R&P or a bad hub on the passenger side. Surely someone out there has dealt with the R&P's or hubs on these trucks and can tell me if this is even the right tree to be barking up...Thanks.
1. When we first start in the mornings the pull to the right feels like a blowout on the passenger front, but as the day goes on and the miles rack up it does not pull as hard.
2. Driver side tire worn almost bald on the inside but not worn at all the outside (lower ball joint has been replaced, the old one had a damaged boot, all other components appear fine).
3. When backing out of a parking space and turning hard either to the right or left there is a single hard solid thunk/pop on the passenger side. No play or visibly damaged components at all.
4. When the steering wheel is straight up and the wheels are viewed from the front of the truck the driver side is perfectly in line with the body of the truck but the passenger side is turned slightly as if to go right (or your left if you are looking at it).
5. The driver side sits down lower than the passenger side aka the truck 'leans' on the driver side.
The bad part of all of this is I bought the truck like this with the only difference being it has gotten worse. Before it just was a LITTLE bit out of alignment. Now I fear I am facing either a busted R&P or a bad hub on the passenger side. Surely someone out there has dealt with the R&P's or hubs on these trucks and can tell me if this is even the right tree to be barking up...Thanks.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,980
Likes: 2
From: central ohio
shoot, take it to a alignment shop for a estimate. dont go to a sears or wal-mart auto shop. i had a negitive camber issue, tires were like this / \ thought it was weak coil springs, turned out had bad lower ball joints. replaced all four (uppers and lowers) still looked a little off, went to a alignment shop, and sure enogh, was still somewhat negitive camber and was toed in a bit. i had no pulling or handling problems, though there was a noise going over bumps and rr tracks. was wearing on the inside edge of both tires in a "feathering" pattern. cost me 91 bucks, 48 of that was for new camber bushings with the correct offset. got a printout showing the "before" , "after" , and "factory specs" sure couldnt have done it myself.
