New to Ford and new to vehicles in general. Replaced the drum breaks thinking that was the problem, but my Ranger squeks and squeels when coming to a stop, occasionally turning, and even when just driving slowly. I'm losing my mind. Any idea of what's going on?

 

Welcome on a board. Please check this link !!

 

Hmmm, not quite what the sound is like. It doesn't make any noise when idle. Just when breaking, that's why I thought it was the breaks. Maybe I should bleed the breaks?

 

You should check the front end. These trucks are notorious for front end issues. If you need ball joints we have them! There are a few different versions of lower ball joints depending on your vehicles drive type.

If you have 4WD the lower ball joints are part number: BL5Z3050A (available here: #BL5Z3050A: Ball joint. BALL JOINTS. LOWER BALL JOINT.) you will also need snap ring 97541S (available here: #97541S: RING)

If you have a 2WD the lower ball joints are part number F87Z3050BA (available here: #F87Z3050BA: Ford. Lower ball joint. Front Lower) you will also need snap ring W302856S (available here: #W302856S: RING (Pack of 4))

 

If your noticing or suspect the 'back/rear' of the truck for the noises, the Drive shaft u joints will make a chirp and squeak as they dry out and start to fail as well. Usually more noticeable a slower speeds. Easy way to tell is lift and support the back end and test run the driveline. Same with rear brakes, you can run the driveline up to speed a bit and apply the brakes and see if you can duplicate the concern. If it's there with no brakes applied, have a look at the u joints. Joints tend to be more of a high pitch chirp, changing pitch with speed changes..

Although you mentioned braking at low speed (causes the noise?), try slowing 'without' using the brakes and see if the noise remains.

Just something to check, and/or rule out.

 

Great info haya.