My ranger has recently developed a metal on metal clunking noise when going over bumps. The truck made this noise a few months ago and it ended up being loose bolts on the caliper bracket. The truck does not make the clunking noise if brakes are applied when going over bumps, even if the brakes are applied lightly.

My plan is essentially to work my way around the truck and tighten anything loose and look for slop that could make a noise. If anyone has any suggestions for things to look for I am open to suggestions that would be appreciated.

If the truck made the same noise in the recent past that turned out to be a loose bolt, I would suspect the same thing again.

My first inspection would be to the brakes, If I found the same bolt loose again I would buy new bolts and use locktite on the bolt and tighten the bolt with a torque wrench.

If you are finding loose fasteners on important safety items like brakes. I suggest whom ever has been working on these brakes should stop working on vehicles.

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2002 Ford Ranger 2 Dr Standard cab 2.3 5 SPD 7.5 373 gears

Look at your rear leaf spring shackles.
Thats what went bad on mine, hitting bottom of bed.

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Myrtle: & Danna
1999 Ranger 4x4 3.0 Stepside Ext Cab XLT
2000 Mustang 4.6 Roush Supercharged ( Show Car )
1984 Elcamino 350 330 HP ( Nick's Show Car )
1959 Wife ( Arm Candy )
Danna passed away 5/26/2016

Yesterday I finally got around to checking out the truck more. Everything is tight, all the brake components are fastened etc. With the truck in the air, I tried to find some slop in the front end that could make some noise. Both front wheels are solid, and don't rock or move in any direction. I checked the rear leaf spring shackles as well and they seem fine.

I'm at a loss as to what it is at this point. It continues to annoy me though. I have noticed my front wheel bearings are starting to make a howling noise, so I will be replacing all 4 soon.

Not really sure what else to look for, everything under the truck seems sturdy, with no obvious broken parts or excessive slop.

Have you checked the parts that were loose previously?

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2002 V6 3.0 Ranger Edge 2WD

Repairs/Upgrades/New Stuff Log

Yes, previously the 2 caliper bracket bolts were a couple turns out. Just enough so that the caliper bracket could move a fraction of an inch and make a similar noise. I have checked, and both sides are tight.

dang! i'd be thinking about using thread locker after that many caliper bolts backing out glad you found it though!

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1999 xlt 2.5l 5-speed Supercab 159k
83 diesel 2.2l na
06 F250 6.0l psd
{click for lol}

Still unable to find the noise, I just ordered 4 new wheel bearings for the front end to take care of that noise. Any way bad bearings could be making a clunking noise over bumps? I'm running out of things to check. If anyone has any ideas for something that vainly be causing this noise just name it. I find it odd that the noise goes away if the brakes are applied, even lightly.

Yeah, they could, but you should be able to feel that when you had it up off the ground.

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2002 V6 3.0 Ranger Edge 2WD

Repairs/Upgrades/New Stuff Log

upper control arm bushings can slide in & out over bumps & while turning. that happens on my ranger lol

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check the ball joints?

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1999 xlt 2.5l 5-speed Supercab 159k
83 diesel 2.2l na
06 F250 6.0l psd
{click for lol}

Front or back? If its back, check the parking brake levers..

Cant find the source of this noise, looking for advice for sanity !

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+ 93' Ranger Overlanding Build
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Ok, it seems like it's coming from the passenger front wheel. I've been under the truck several times now, and every bolt is tight on everything, brakes are all good. Manual 4x4 hubs torqued to spec and lug nuts on tight as well. Suspecting the front passenger wheel I got under the truck again today. I tried wiggling the wheel to see if there was any slop, and I couldn't budge it, spins nice and free as well. Then I basically started punching everything under the truck to see what would move, how much, and what noises they made.

This is what I found when hitting the front passenger wheel. It makes a solid metal clunk when hitting the bottom, but not the sides. While hitting it, I used my other hand to feel each of he surrounding parts. It seemed nothing was resonating much except for the brake dust shield.


My wheel bearings and seals came in today, but I need to pick up some grease before I install them. Any thoughts?

If you go to the outside of the wheel, and hold the top and bottom, are you sure you can't get it to move/make a noise when pushing/pulling the top and bottom of the wheel towards you?

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2002 V6 3.0 Ranger Edge 2WD

Repairs/Upgrades/New Stuff Log

I'll jack up the truck and try that tomorrow

Took the wheel off, wiggled everything around. Looks like the lower ball joint has play in it, and it's making the noise I'm hearing when I shake it. So that's one problem solved.