another grinding/creaking noise thread!

i noticed the other day that when i reverse and turn i hear the noise come from what sounds like my driver side front tire. it only does it when i am backing up, i can't reproduce the noise when going forward. left or right doesn't seem to matter.

i have also noticed the noise to a lesser degree when going over speed bumps and traveling straight.

i just replaced shocks all around so i doubt it is those, and when i replaced them everything looked good (but i am new to fixing my own truck).

from what i can find on the forum it sounds like it is a possible wheel bearing (i've heard it's easy to replace?). but i ran across another thread and the infamous 'power steering noise' or something was mentioned. any thoughts on where to start looking to get this resolved?

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94 Ranger XLT standard cab, 2WD, manual, 4 banger FTW!

as far as we know you could have 1887 ranger or 2016 ranger
so a sig of your truck would help

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95 Ranger XLT 4x2 2.3 I4 5 speed 206,000 *dead*
96 Ranger XLT 4x4 4.0 V6 5 speed 173,000 *alive*
D35 front, 8.8 rear, 3.73 gears, limited slip rear diff

-Is there excessive play in steering?
-Do you hear a high pitch noise when braking or does your truck pull to one side braking and/or non-braking?

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-Link-

um... maybe you can't see my sig? my truck is there. it's a 94 ranger xlt 2wd 2.3L

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no and no.

also i turned my wheel without the truck in motion and did not hear the grinding noise. it only happens when i am backing up. i was swerving all over my street this afternoon trying to make the noise happen, and it only occurred when in reverse. my neighbors probably think i'm crazy now

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94 Ranger XLT standard cab, 2WD, manual, 4 banger FTW!

I hear the noise with the same exact description as you do. Only in reverse. I just thought it was normal and have left it alone. Nothing has happened so I won't mess with it.

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alright gen 3 cool

Since you say it sounds like it's coming from the front jack up the front and grab the wheel at 10 and 2 and see if you can wiggle the wheel there should just be a very Tiny bit of play in it
also when was the last time you had the rotors machined or replaced

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95 Ranger XLT 4x2 2.3 I4 5 speed 206,000 *dead*
96 Ranger XLT 4x4 4.0 V6 5 speed 173,000 *alive*
D35 front, 8.8 rear, 3.73 gears, limited slip rear diff

It could be a sign that you need new brake pads or rotors.

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-Link-

This guy knows what's up

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95 Ranger XLT 4x2 2.3 I4 5 speed 206,000 *dead*
96 Ranger XLT 4x4 4.0 V6 5 speed 173,000 *alive*
D35 front, 8.8 rear, 3.73 gears, limited slip rear diff

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-Link-

i'll wiggle the wheel. when i replaced the shocks in the wrong in inspected the brake pads and rotors, and they looked good. pads looked almost new, i think they were recently replaced before i got the truck. i'll check them again.

if the wheel has more play that it feels like is that a wheel bearing issue?

and here's an update. i decided to fly off my curb this morning to see what would happen and i got a lock of rocking and a similar grinding noise when my front went down, but not my rear. sounded like it was from both sides. would that be a bearing/pad/rotor issues as well? or is it possible the coil springs are going bad... or something else?

i appreciate all of the feedback, you guys are great!

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94 Ranger XLT standard cab, 2WD, manual, 4 banger FTW!

-_-

First off why did you fly off a curb
Second off you didn't answer my question with the rotors
Third of flying off curbs won't help the grinding get better....so don't do it again

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95 Ranger XLT 4x2 2.3 I4 5 speed 206,000 *dead*
96 Ranger XLT 4x4 4.0 V6 5 speed 173,000 *alive*
D35 front, 8.8 rear, 3.73 gears, limited slip rear diff

something that wasn't mentioned was ball joints. i know the OP's is a twin beam front suspension & mine is independent fs, but my ball joints sounded a lot like that when they started getting worn out.

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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}

lol, i didn't fly off a curb, i quickly accelerated while leaving my driveway to see if i hear any noises. i have not had the rotors machined or replaced, but they looked good when i checked the pads, sorry for not answering the question. i can get back under it and look at them tomorrow for confirmation.

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my car is making a popping noise when turning or driving on a bumpy road. i talked to a mechanic this morning about that while dropping off my boss' van for work. he suggested i take a look at the ball joints on the car, i guess i can learn how to check them both.

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94 Ranger XLT standard cab, 2WD, manual, 4 banger FTW!

Rotors maybe warped proly not the issue though bet ya it's bearings
if there grinding don't drive your truck

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it's grinding aka not ball joints

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95 Ranger XLT 4x2 2.3 I4 5 speed 206,000 *dead*
96 Ranger XLT 4x4 4.0 V6 5 speed 173,000 *alive*
D35 front, 8.8 rear, 3.73 gears, limited slip rear diff

lemme get a video that shows you...

here! lol

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mine were grinding while turning too

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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}