'96 Ranger - Sounds like a rumble strip!

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'96 Ranger - Sounds like a rumble strip!

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Ford >> Ford Trucks, Ford Vans & Ford SUV's >> Ford Ranger >> '96 Ranger - Sounds like a rumble strip!

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'96 Ranger - Sounds like a rumble strip! - 3/8/2007 11:46:44 PM

atowinram

Posts: 2
Score: 0
Joined: 3/8/2007
Status: offline

Hi All!

Yeah, yeah, I know all about the screen name...I have an '87 Ramcharger on another forum, and it has been a long week, so it was easier to use my existing stuff...all I need to do is sign up my '01 Alero on a forum and my life is complete!

My hubby's 1996 4WD XLT just returned home tonight from a clutch job...new slave cylinder, clutch, pressure plate, flywheel, etc....the works! It's running like a scared bunny now!

On the way home from work, he called to tell me that the truck made a few loud noises that sounded "like it was going over a rumble strip". I took it for a drive to check it out.

I purposely went over a hilly road and around turns, ran it with hubs in, ran it with hubs out, shifted on high rev, shifted on low rev, and even backed up a couple times. NOTHING!

Then I pulled off in a parking lot to talk to him on the phone and set the brake. A couple minutes after I pulled out, she let off a big rumble...I seriously thought about looking to see if I'd left something behind! My hand was resting on the shifter, and there was no vibration. (BTW, nothing in the steering wheel or floorboard either). I also pushed the clutch in and out a couple times...it had no effect on the noise. I'm hoping that means they aren't related!

On the way back to the mechanic's shop, she let off three more rumbles, but they were nothing compared to that first one. Each one was less intense, and the final one sounded like the noise you get when your car's radiator shroud scrapes a parking curb at walmart.

So I got to thinkin'...A couple weeks ago, the parking brake got stuck in the driveway. I horsed her forward and then backed her into an uphill part of the driveway...that broke it loose. We've had a lot of mud around the farm for the last few weeks, and the way he drives her, it gets into everything! It had been a very cold & windy night, so I assumed it was literally frozen...never mentioned it to my mechanic. When I ran out to tractor supply for some stuff earlier this evening, I noticed that the pedal on the parking brake wasn't very consistent (sometimes 2 clicks, sometimes 5, etc) and it even drifted twice!

Could this be as simple as screwed up rear brakes...or does it sound like something more $$$? Don't worry, I can handle it. I have already endured a full front-end rebuild, engine swap, previous clutch job, springs & shackles, bodywork, and a few other goodies...that old girl works for a living! Just wondering if I should grab my oxygen mask before my mechanic calls me with the diagnosis!

Thanks!!

_____________________________

My life hasn't been the same since that house fell on my sister!

Post #: 1

RE: '96 Ranger - Sounds like a rumble strip! - 3/9/2007 12:27:19 PM

atowinram

Posts: 2
Score: 0
Joined: 3/8/2007
Status: offline

Good news! Well, I guess that depends on your viewpoint.

The left and right side brake cables were rubbed bare, the left side was extremely tight, and the shoes were almost at the rivets because of wear from the sticking.

Rear brake job, check the wheel cylinders, and a bath...she'll be good to go!

Hope this helps someone else out!

_____________________________

My life hasn't been the same since that house fell on my sister!

(in reply to atowinram)

Post #: 2