ride problems
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New User
Joined: Oct 2005
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ride problems
i recently bought a 2003 Ranger 6cyl edge. I have concerns about the ride at high speeds. Once i reach 55 and above the truck feels like its going to shake apart. maybe not that bad, but there is a decernable shake to it. I have driven other rangers that dont do this. All the wheels are balanced and steering alligned, i even had a rim replaced that was slightly bent, but still it persists. I need help from someone more knowledgable than me, and more honest than the mechanic at the dealership.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 97
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From: Oregon
Definately sound like something that is out of balance to me. If the wheels and tires are all in good shape and in balance then the drive shaft would be my next item to check too. Let us know what you find out!
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,940
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From: Eastern WA
Driveshaft balance, bent axle, out of round tire, and a bulge in a tire come to mind. These two tire things can be unrecognized on a spin balancer depending on how conspicuous they are and how dense/nonchalant the operator is. Any chance this thing has been in an accident involving the frame and/or suspension?
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,851
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From: SW Va
Did the vibration come about after some event, or slowly over time, or was the truck doing this when you bought it????
Do you feel the vibrations more in the steering wheel, or in the seat.
Do you hear any noises in sync with the vibration????
When you get up to speed & put it into "N" & let it drift, does the vibraton change????
Do you feel the vibrations more in the steering wheel, or in the seat.
Do you hear any noises in sync with the vibration????
When you get up to speed & put it into "N" & let it drift, does the vibraton change????
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Joined: Oct 2005
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pawpaw, thanks for your reply. in answer to your questions:
The vibration was imperceptable when I bought the truck, but became noticable quickly after especially over 60mph.
the vibrations are in the seat
there is no noise associated
Im going to try letting it drift awhile tomarrow
The vibration was imperceptable when I bought the truck, but became noticable quickly after especially over 60mph.
the vibrations are in the seat
there is no noise associated
Im going to try letting it drift awhile tomarrow
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New User
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: SW Va
If the vibration is felt in the seat, then I'd look to the rear of the truck, for the problem.
Things like tires (shifted belt, improper psi), wheels ( bent, not properly centered, loose lug nuts), driveshaft ( bent, bad "U" joints, missing weights, bad carrier bearing, if you have one), maybe even the axle (bent or bad bearings). though you said you don't hear any noises associated with the vibration, so maybe not.
If you can't find anything obvious, you could try swapping wheels, front to back, one at a time & maybe isolate or eliminate those as suspects.
If the vibration seems to be more on one side than the other, begin your lug nut/wheel centering inspection & front to rear swap, with that side.
Have you tried geting up to vibration speed & shifting to "N" and drifting, to see if the vibration changes???
Let us know what you find.
Things like tires (shifted belt, improper psi), wheels ( bent, not properly centered, loose lug nuts), driveshaft ( bent, bad "U" joints, missing weights, bad carrier bearing, if you have one), maybe even the axle (bent or bad bearings). though you said you don't hear any noises associated with the vibration, so maybe not.
If you can't find anything obvious, you could try swapping wheels, front to back, one at a time & maybe isolate or eliminate those as suspects.
If the vibration seems to be more on one side than the other, begin your lug nut/wheel centering inspection & front to rear swap, with that side.
Have you tried geting up to vibration speed & shifting to "N" and drifting, to see if the vibration changes???
Let us know what you find.
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From: Ventura ,ca. (near L.A.)
The edges ride like crap on the highway from the factory. The way they accomplish the suspension lift is the torsion bar front end for the 4x4 and in the rear, a 2 inch lifting block and a ad-a-leaf. The add a leaf stiffens the rear and makes it hop. My freind complained about his edge because his truck hopped and my 2wd non-edge didn't. I have a bedlid on mine and it weighs it down enough so that it doesn't hop. If i take the lid off it does. We put 6 sand bags in the bed of his truck and it fixed the problem. Also, My truck rides better on the freeway at 75 mph then it does at 65.