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Old 02-15-2019, 05:58 AM
DCphotos DCphotos is offline
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Default Need Help Diagnosing Wheel Noise

I've got a 2004 4wd Ranger with V6 4.0 XLT. 290k miles.

I have a thunk-thunk-thunk noise in my left front wheel. When I jack it up there is no play up and down.
I went to replace brake shoes and rotors recently, the pads were worn very unevenly on the inside so I also replaced the caliper on that side.
Tires are brand new.
Noise is not noticeable at speed, but annoying at lower speeds and audible as long as I'm moving.
There is no vibration resulting and it tracks well.
The noise does get worse in a right-hand turn, and less noticeable in a left-hand turn.
I guess I could equate the sound to what it would sound like if there was a rock stuck in the tire. As best I can tell steering rods look fine, I don't see any noticeable problems.
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Old 02-15-2019, 06:19 AM
Dirtman Dirtman is offline
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Default Re: Need Help Diagnosing Wheel Noise

The brake pads being worn on the inside is common on rangers and is usually the result of the slides sticking or the pads sticking in the caliper bracket not the caliper itself so double check that the pads and caliper move freely.

As for the noise check the sway bar bushings and end links, the u-joints/cv joints, and the wheel bearings. It's most likely one of those three things. Im betting on the u-joint/cv joint.
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Old 02-15-2019, 06:40 AM
DCphotos DCphotos is offline
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Default Re: Need Help Diagnosing Wheel Noise

Sway bars were replaced by a mechanic last fall.

How do I check u-joints and cv joints?
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Old 02-15-2019, 07:29 AM
Dirtman Dirtman is offline
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Default Re: Need Help Diagnosing Wheel Noise

Simple check, just crawl under and give the shaft a good shake and twist on both driver and passenger sides. If there's any play or clunking you've got a bad joint and need to pull the shaft. If its a CV style (which i believe it is on that year) you replace the axle as an entire unit. If its a u-joint style you can replace just the joint.
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Old 02-19-2019, 06:03 AM
DCphotos DCphotos is offline
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Default Re: Need Help Diagnosing Wheel Noise

When I grab the shaft I can find a little play, but it's a millimeter at best. The boots are intact. Though he hasn't looked at my mechanic friend says it's most likely a wheel bearing. He sold his shop and took a day job so we don't have a lot of time for stuff.
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