1996 Ford Ranger, 144,000 miles, stick shift. Out of nowhere, my truck starting making weird noises and I have noticed that is off balance--the driver's side of the truck is much lower than the passenger side. When I go over bumps it makes loud cracking-type sounds, almost as if it sounds like something is rattling around in the bed of my truck. I know my back bumper isn't 100% secure, but it has been like that for a long time and these sounds just started today. It is most noticeable when I go over bumps or am on rough roads. When I go over speed bumps, when the back tires go over the speed bump is when the sound seems the worse, that cracking/creakin type sound, and then it goes away until I go over another sort of rough patch of road/bumps. Also, since the sounds started, it seems to be pulling even harder to the right when I drive, especially when I am on the highway going 70+ mph. The alignment was off before this, but now it is an even more annoying/harder pull to the right.

I am assuming this is some sort of suspension problem? I scheduled an appt. to take it in on Friday, any ideas as to what the problem is/how much it should cost to fix?

Update: Took a pic with my phone and, I dont know the correct terminology, but it looks like some sort of brace broke on the driver's side that holds the 3 suspension beams/rods:

Just want to know if it is safe to drive to work (because I have to work before I will be able to bring it in) about 85 miles @ 70 mph?

 

I just had a spring bracket on the driver side back that went out that was doing about the same thing maybe you could check that.

 

Welcome to FTE.

Good grief, this sounds like a serious safety problem & you certainly shouldn't be driving 70+ mph on the highway with other innocent fellow drivers out there, unless your harboring some secret wish to self destruct!!!!!

By all means get this vehicle off the road & to a qualified body or frame shop, for inspection ASAP!!!

I'd beg, borrow, rent, or steal another ride, until you have this problem put right.

From your description of the rear bumpers condition, this suspension problem, the vehicle pulling to one side & now pulling even more strongly & seeing as how you live in the rust belt & have been ignoring your vehicles warning signs that something is wrong, I'd guess under body corrosion from road salt is likely the root cause & who knows how much damage it's inflicted.

BUT, one thing is clear, you really shouldn't be driving this vehicle, until it's checked out by a qualified shop & properly repaired.

So borrow, or rent something SAFE to drive, right now, today!!!!

 

It sounds like you have a couple of possibilities as to what the problem is. It also sounds like the problem is at the rear suspension. Since you say the drivers side is lower, take a look at the two mounts for the rear springs on that side. One of the mounts could have rusted away enough to break from the frame. If so, then that end of the spring might be pushed up against the bottom of the truck bed. So when you go over a bump it will make the noise you hear because the spring end is moving and scraping against the bed. The spring mounts are more prone to break from rust because of the winter road salt. The other possibility is a broken main leaf spring or more than one broken spring on that side. The main leaf is the top most spring of all the leaf springs on one side. Another possibility is a broken frame rail. There's less of a chance for that to happen, but I've seen it. I would take a look at all of these locations for an answer before driving that fast for that long again! It's just not safe at all!! If you had to make a panic stop or fast maneuver you would not have the control you need!! If you need a spring mount for the frame check with a local Ford dealer. They could still have some available. They still have some parts like that available for my 1990. If you need springs, it's best to replace them in a set of two, one for each side in the rear. There should be a spring shop around your area or someone you can get them through.

 

Agree, most common issue is broken leaf spring mounts, they rust, most commonly the front ones that are U shaped. The OEM one is rivoted onto the frame rail, replacements are in 30 buck range. You chisel off the old one and mount the new with the spring using grade 8 nuts and bolts. You should NOT be driving this for sure, it is dangerous and you will break a leaf spring if you have not already.