Vibration 2002 Ford Ranger
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
Vibration 2002 Ford Ranger
2002 2.3 Liter 5 speed 82,000 miles
Over the last few weeks I have noticed a slight vibration which became much more pronounced the last two days. It begins at about 50 MPH and is rhythmic (about 3 times per second at that speed). It pretty much disappears at 60 mph, but returns at 65 mph. I rotated the tires yesterday (just to rule that out) with no change. It appears to be speed sensitive, not related to engine RPM. I can downshift or move to neutral with no change in the vibration (until forward speed starts to drop). It reminds me of a wheel bearing going bad, but I can't localize it to the left or right. Is it also possible this is a U-joint?
Other ideas?
Thanks for any inputs.
Over the last few weeks I have noticed a slight vibration which became much more pronounced the last two days. It begins at about 50 MPH and is rhythmic (about 3 times per second at that speed). It pretty much disappears at 60 mph, but returns at 65 mph. I rotated the tires yesterday (just to rule that out) with no change. It appears to be speed sensitive, not related to engine RPM. I can downshift or move to neutral with no change in the vibration (until forward speed starts to drop). It reminds me of a wheel bearing going bad, but I can't localize it to the left or right. Is it also possible this is a U-joint?
Other ideas?
Thanks for any inputs.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 966
Likes: 1
To rule out wheel bearings etc. raise front end and grab each wheel and check for up/down and side to side play. You could also have a caliper sticking slightly. Check caliper slide pins for binding and relubricate. Also could be a u joint or possibly a weight that has come off driveshaft.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
When I had the truck lifted and was rotating the tires, I did not notice any overt play in the wheels. Also, this is a pretty deep vibration, i.e., feel it more in the floor and seat than through the steering wheel. Guess I had never thought about a weight on the drive shaft. But you bring up a good point. A week ago I was driving on the freeway when a truck in front of me lost a huge chunk of his tire. I was unable to avoid it and heard a pretty good "thunk" as I drove over it and heard it bounce around under my truck. No damage to tires/gas tank/fuel lines, etc., but I suppose it could have knocked a weight loose. I didn't realize there were weights on a driveshaft, but I guess anything that rotates at a high RPM needs to be balanced, eh? Where exactly are the weights and would they be vulnerable to being hit and knocked off by a tire?
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
After reading some of the other posts on vibrations, I thought I would mention one more thing that I thought was unrelated (probably is, but nonetheless...).
About a week ago I started noticing a very weird metallic "ticking" sound on acceleration. It sounds like it is coming from the exhaust system, and I thought at first it was a leak around the flange from the back of the cat. Now I wonder if it is detonation inside the cat?? Engine light has not come on, but I have not tried to pull the codes yet. Is it possible a code could be set and the light NOT be on? Not sure if something like that could be causing a drive vibration or not...but then again, the vibration did not appear to vary with engine RPM, just vehicle speed.
Could be a coincidence, but I should know better than not to mention it.
About a week ago I started noticing a very weird metallic "ticking" sound on acceleration. It sounds like it is coming from the exhaust system, and I thought at first it was a leak around the flange from the back of the cat. Now I wonder if it is detonation inside the cat?? Engine light has not come on, but I have not tried to pull the codes yet. Is it possible a code could be set and the light NOT be on? Not sure if something like that could be causing a drive vibration or not...but then again, the vibration did not appear to vary with engine RPM, just vehicle speed.
Could be a coincidence, but I should know better than not to mention it.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 966
Likes: 1
The weights on driveshaft are flat and spot welded in place. I can't remember which end of driveshaft I have seen them on mine. If you had one fall off you could probably see outline of where it used to be. Since you did hit something that makes it more possibly driveshaft related. On some of the Rangers an aluminum driveshaft was used and if you have one it could have been dented. Try jacking up rear, blocking front wheels, put in neutral and try rotating rear wheel ( or have helper turn wheel )while watching driveshaft to see if it appears bent in any spot. The noise you hear on exhaust could be a bent heat shield rattling which could have been hit by tire tread at same time.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
Thanks for the suggestions. I will take another look at my earliest convenience...(probably not until the weekend).
As I had the truck on jackstands yesterday to rotate the tires, I did take a quick look and can guarantee the driveshaft is NOT aluminum as it is rusted to high heaven (good old Michigan winters and road salt). I suppose that makes it even more likely that a weight could have been knocked loose.
As for a loose heat shield, I took a quick look/feel yesterday for that as well and did not see anything. I replaced the exhaust system from the cat back last July and it appears as tight as the day I installed it. Guess I should look a little closer at the shield around the cat.
Will post results.
As I had the truck on jackstands yesterday to rotate the tires, I did take a quick look and can guarantee the driveshaft is NOT aluminum as it is rusted to high heaven (good old Michigan winters and road salt). I suppose that makes it even more likely that a weight could have been knocked loose.
As for a loose heat shield, I took a quick look/feel yesterday for that as well and did not see anything. I replaced the exhaust system from the cat back last July and it appears as tight as the day I installed it. Guess I should look a little closer at the shield around the cat.
Will post results.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 966
Likes: 1
Also on the exhaust noise check to see if the counterweight got bent up. My 03 has one so I assume yours does as well. It's near front and has a weight on a bracket that attaches to exhaust pipe. It's supposed to counter exhaust system vibrations/harmonics
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
Well it is definitely not wheels. There is no bounce in the truck at all. Even at 82,000, you think U-Joints could be it? Never replaced them myself before. If needed, is this a DIY job lying under the truck, or do I need another set of hands?
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
New symptom...just started today. When starting from a dead stop I hear a squeak-squeak-squeak that quickly accelerates, then eventually disappears above about 20 mph. Maybe u-joints after all? I will try to get under and take a look today. If no balancing weights are missing, perhaps the u-joints are bad...or is it possible that the huge hunk of truck tire that bounced around under my truck on the freeway could have triggered a u-joint problem?
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Yep. You've got yourself a bad u joint. It will get worse and eventually come apart. The driveshaft will have to come out and joints put in. Replace both as long as you have it out. Takes a big vice or press to push em out and in. Fairly quick job however.
Just a coincedence between running over the debri and joint going bad at the same time. It was already going out.
Just a coincedence between running over the debri and joint going bad at the same time. It was already going out.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
Yep. Definitely U-Joints. Since I don't have all the tools right now AND only the Ranger for a vehicle, I am letting someone else take care of it. Nothing worse than putting your truck in an undriveable state and being unable to go get parts or have a part worked on.
As usual, however, once the mechanic gets a look at it they find all the other parts that need replacing...both outer tie rods, brakes all around, turning drums and rotors. Guess I will need to schedule a weekend to do all that as I can easily do it for 1/3 what the mechanic would charge. Wish the Ranger didn't require you to pull the wheel bearings to turn the rotors, though. What a pain.
He is also recommending shocks (original at 82,000 miles). Truck is not bouncing at all, but I wonder if replacing them would improve handling? Easy enough to do those myself too.
As usual, however, once the mechanic gets a look at it they find all the other parts that need replacing...both outer tie rods, brakes all around, turning drums and rotors. Guess I will need to schedule a weekend to do all that as I can easily do it for 1/3 what the mechanic would charge. Wish the Ranger didn't require you to pull the wheel bearings to turn the rotors, though. What a pain.
He is also recommending shocks (original at 82,000 miles). Truck is not bouncing at all, but I wonder if replacing them would improve handling? Easy enough to do those myself too.