What's that knocking sound? - Ford Explorer Ranger Enthusiasts "Serious Explorations"®

kona's ride · 04-22-2007, 12:51 AM

I'm new to the sight. I have a problem that I can't figure out. I have a knocking sound in my '97 Ranger 4wd. It sounds like someone hitting the frame with a hammer, especially in a right turn. Faster at high speeds, slower at lower speeds. I thought I had a U joint going bad, but I even went so far as to pull the rear drive shaft and the front axles apart, and the joints are all solid. I'm pretty much an amateur so with that I'm out of ideas.

**BrooklynBay** · 04-22-2007, 01:25 AM

Welcome to this forum! Does it only sound like this at low speeds? Check the front end bushings, and tie rod ends. Radius arms are a common problem. My first idea was the CV, but you mentioned that they were already checked.

kona's ride · 04-22-2007, 01:42 AM

It makes the sound at low and high speeds, driving straight and turning right. It seems to go away when turning left. I'll check the bushings and tie rods.

kona's ride · 04-22-2007, 10:53 AM

Any other ideas?

**BrooklynBay** · 04-22-2007, 10:59 AM

Check those parts first. I'm sure it might be related to the problem. Did you ever check the wheel bearings, and ball joints? You might have excessive play.

**RangerX** · 04-22-2007, 11:27 AM

You are in 2WD when you hear this noise? Do you have manual or auto front hubs?

kona's ride · 04-23-2007, 09:29 PM

I get the noise in both 2wd and 4wd. Tie rods and bushings look good as near as I can tell (I'm pretty amateur). Nothing obviously wrong, I greased the tie rod ends while I was down there. Front wheel bearings looked good, and I repacked those. Could it be something wrong with a differential or the transfer case?

04-22-2007, 12:51 AM	#1
kona's ride Wannabe Elite Explorer Pensacola Fla 97' Ranger Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 4 Vehicle Specs	What's that knocking sound? I'm new to the sight. I have a problem that I can't figure out. I have a knocking sound in my '97 Ranger 4wd. It sounds like someone hitting the frame with a hammer, especially in a right turn. Faster at high speeds, slower at lower speeds. I thought I had a U joint going bad, but I even went so far as to pull the rear drive shaft and the front axles apart, and the joints are all solid. I'm pretty much an amateur so with that I'm out of ideas.

04-22-2007, 01:25 AM	#2
BrooklynBay Aerostar Forum Moderator Brooklyn, NY 88 89 93 95 96 Aerostars Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 31,020 Vehicle Specs	Welcome to this forum! Does it only sound like this at low speeds? Check the front end bushings, and tie rod ends. Radius arms are a common problem. My first idea was the CV, but you mentioned that they were already checked. __________________ My list of useful threads. My photo gallery. My product reviews. My list of items for sale. Aerostar owners thread. Aerostar parts work in Explorers, Rangers, and Bronco II thread. History of the Aerostar thread. Aerostar Forum. New Members Forum.

04-22-2007, 10:59 AM	#5
BrooklynBay Aerostar Forum Moderator Brooklyn, NY 88 89 93 95 96 Aerostars Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 31,020 Vehicle Specs	Check those parts first. I'm sure it might be related to the problem. Did you ever check the wheel bearings, and ball joints? You might have excessive play. __________________ My list of useful threads. My photo gallery. My product reviews. My list of items for sale. Aerostar owners thread. Aerostar parts work in Explorers, Rangers, and Bronco II thread. History of the Aerostar thread. Aerostar Forum. New Members Forum.

04-22-2007, 11:27 AM	#6
RangerX Moderator Elite Ranger Vista, CA '93 Ranger XLT Join Date: Jul 1999 Posts: 6,057 Vehicle Specs	You are in 2WD when you hear this noise? Do you have manual or auto front hubs? __________________ Bill Collins 93 Ranger XLT 4X4 - Full width D44/8.8 in the works "Beauty is only sheet metal deep." ------------------------------ www.firemountaintikis.com

04-22-2007, 01:42 AM	#3
kona's ride Wannabe Elite Explorer Pensacola Fla 97' Ranger Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 4 Vehicle Specs	It makes the sound at low and high speeds, driving straight and turning right. It seems to go away when turning left. I'll check the bushings and tie rods.

04-22-2007, 10:53 AM	#4
kona's ride Wannabe Elite Explorer Pensacola Fla 97' Ranger Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 4 Vehicle Specs	Any other ideas?

04-23-2007, 09:29 PM	#7
kona's ride Wannabe Elite Explorer Pensacola Fla 97' Ranger Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 4 Vehicle Specs	I get the noise in both 2wd and 4wd. Tie rods and bushings look good as near as I can tell (I'm pretty amateur). Nothing obviously wrong, I greased the tie rod ends while I was down there. Front wheel bearings looked good, and I repacked those. Could it be something wrong with a differential or the transfer case?