I have a 98 2-wheel drive ranger with a 3.0 and a 5-speed. It has about 75000 miles on it.

I am experiencing a vibration in the front end that is felt through the steering wheel and not so much in the seat.

I just changed a broken front left torsion bar link thinking that would fix the problem. The vibration actually became worse. I have already put new shocks all around. I have checked the pads and rotors visually and they appear ok. I have checked for play in the steering linkage also and found none.

The vibration seems to always be there but it gets worse when I hit a bump in the road while turning. Then the vibration is intense in the steering wheel. There is also increased vibration while braking.

Could this be just as simple as needing new tires or brake discs, or is it something more serious such as in the power steering system? I have added Lucas Oil power steering additive about two months ago and it seemed to help a little.

Any help/suggestions are greatly appreciated!

 

I would start with the tires and work your way in. Check for any abnormal wear. Then rotate the tires and see if the problem changes.

If it doesn't, I'd take a look at the brake pads just to rule them out.

Good luck.

Hunt4Fun

 

The tires don't appear out of round but I will rotate them tomorrow.

I'll post what changes or not.

Thanks!

 

Did rotating the tires fix the problem? Sometimes something as simple as a missing wheel weight can cause a big vibration. If the problem wasn't fixed by rotating, I'd try balancing them.

 

I had a similar problem and it turned out to be the tires.

 

How did the front left torsion bar get broken????? Did you hit something that hard, if so maybe it bent a wheel too.

So if you swap the wheels, front to back, one at a time, that should eliminate them one at a time.

 

It's your power steering. Somewhere along the line someone worked on it and in the process turned your wheels (left or right) with the engine off, causing air to suck into the P/S, causing the vibration. When the torsion bar was replaced it happened again, causing it to get worse.

Try this. Start her up... hold RPM at about 3000... turn wheels all the way left, then all the way right, then all the way left.. do this about five to ten times.. .make sure p/s is full and go drive it and see if it's any better.

If not you'll have to find someone that has a vacuum attachment that goes on in place of the P/S cap so it can be 'properly' bled.

 

Is this a common problem? I've backed my truck (02 Ranger, 2.3L, 5 sp, 2WD) down the driveway (off) and turned the wheel on many occasions, and have never had this problem. This sounds like a serious design flaw. My old 96 never had this problem either. Could this possibly be a problem that has been done away with when the Ranger went to rack and pinion steering?

 

I went ahead and got some new Big o pathmax tires. Wouldn't have used Big o but they gave me 10% off for a military discount. I am thinking the torsion bar link broke due to the jerking/vibration in the front end. There are some unpaved roads around here too. The new tires helped some but I still notice the vibration after my front left hits a bump. I have new rotors on order. I know one is warped for sure. This should fix the braking vibrations ( I hope) I've never changed the rotors on a ranger b4. Is there anything special I should do? I do know how to do mechanical work and have a fair assortment of tools, I have just never owned a Ford b4! Thanks for all the replies! I'll keep checking back for more input and I will try the power steering bleed too. I'll let you know how it goes! I also remember after a stop and rob oil change the power steering fluid cap was not all the way on. It was kind of tilted. You know one ear under and one above. I put that right and topped off the fluid. And as I think I said b4 I siphoned out as much fluid as I could and replaced it with Lucas Oil power steering additive. My father in law swears by it. Never used it b4. Thanks much!