A while back I was having problems with my speakers on the passanger side they would go out every once in a while they finally just gave out. A few months later my 4x4 light started flashing while I was driving and when I would make a turn there was a loudhumming squeling whining noise and popping with some jerking. I took it to a mechanic, who is a friend of my dads and they replaced some speed sensor well ever since then the 4x4 light will not come on and they told me to take it to a transmission guy. Well he told me that I need to get 4 new tires because they are all going at different speeds, but they supposivley fixed the problem I wasn't going to have a 4x4 light anymore unless I replaced the dash, that is what they told me! Well my 4 wheel drive still doesn't work and I took it back and they said to bring it back after I get the new tires and they would look into it again. The problem still has not gone away. I would like to go back in there with some suggestions since this is costing me thousands of dollars. Please help me!! has anybody else had this problem?

As far as the popping noise that you hear when you turn you might want someone to check your wheel bearings those may have gone bad or just one. If you hear the noise when you are turning left you'll have to get the right wheel bearing replaced and vise versa for if you are making a right hand turn. And for your 4 wheel drive, there is a sensor connected to your transmission that'll read if you are trying to access the 4 wheel drive and once that is replaced it should fix the problem for you. I would have someone check that sensor out first bc its an easy and cheeper fix.

As far as the popping noise that you hear when you turn you might want someone to check your wheel bearings those may have gone bad or just one. If you hear the noise when you are turning left you'll have to get the right wheel bearing replaced and vise versa for if you are making a right hand turn. And for your 4 wheel drive, there is a sensor connected to your transmission that'll read if you are trying to access the 4 wheel drive and once that is replaced it should fix the problem for you. I would have someone check that sensor out first bc its an easy and cheeper fix.


When I turn to the left in my ranger I hear a loud high pitched groaning. The same when I go over bumps. It matches the bouncing of the shocks. It's super loud. I believe it's coming from the driver's tie rod.
I'm sure it is not a wheel bearing in my case. I've had one of those go out on my other ranger.

Not shocks. Already been replaced. Any help would be appreciated.

What year is your Ranger? In the mid- to late-90's Ford had a quite a few issues with tie rod ends and ball joints that would go dry after a few years and make a squeaking/groaning noise.

To track down which part is the culprit, I use a small pick, poke a hole in the rubber boot of one component, then squirt a bit of aerosol white lithium grease into the boot. If after a few cycles of the steering or suspension the noise didn't change, I move to another component.

If the noise is less of a squeak or groan and more of a rattle, then I'd suspect anti-swaybar end links, even if they aren't yet rusted through. Been there on my 2000 Mountaineer.

-Rod

What year is your Ranger? In the mid- to late-90's Ford had a quite a few issues with tie rod ends and ball joints that would go dry after a few years and make a squeaking/groaning noise.

To track down which part is the culprit, I use a small pick, poke a hole in the rubber boot of one component, then squirt a bit of aerosol white lithium grease into the boot. If after a few cycles of the steering or suspension the noise didn't change, I move to another component.

If the noise is less of a squeak or groan and more of a rattle, then I'd suspect anti-swaybar end links, even if they aren't yet rusted through. Been there on my 2000 Mountaineer.

-Rod


2001 plenty of rust. That boot looks like swiss cheese. I sprayed WD 40 into it a while back it helped until it evaporated. Heavy weight gear lube didn't work either. My next shot will be the grease. Thanx for your post.

2001 plenty of rust. That boot looks like swiss cheese. I sprayed WD 40 into it a while back it helped until it evaporated. Heavy weight gear lube didn't work either. My next shot will be the grease. Thanx for your post.
Spray the lower control arm mounting bolts at the frame and also check for tightness and retorque if needed. I had a noise that drove me nuts and it turned out to be lower mounting bolts. I did tie rod ends/upper & Lower ball joints, I even replace the torsion bars and adjuster arms. I thought the noise was from the adjustor arm as they were missing the kevlar pads, but it was the mounting bolts.

Will do.