I just had my 2001 Ranger, 4 cyl. standard inspected last week. But on my way to the mountains - I heard a metal on metal scraping sound when I came downhill into a curve - it only happened once. I did not use my truck all weekend, but upon my return from the mountains, I heard the sound again two or three times. It sounds like metal pipes rolling into each other when it happens. And it seems to only happen when in a curve. It doesn't seem to relate to using the clutch or transmission as when shifting on the straightaway, there's no noise. Thank you.

 

It could be the brake scraping on the caliper due to centripetal force. The turning of the wheel in the curve combined with the rotation of the wheel causes the rubbing.

Look for shiny spots in the suspension area while the wheel is off.

 

Could be a broken motor mount! if it only happens on a curve in one direction. The exhaust pipe could be hitting something. Centrifical force.

 

check heat shield on converter, as it may have worked loose
Dave