1996 Ranger vibrating???
 

[sm=feedback.gif]I've vaguely posted about this in another thread but thought maybe a new thread would yield more results. Here's the situation:

The last weekend in April, we put a 4" lift/suspension on our 1996 4x4 Extended cab STX Ranger (automatic transmission, 4.0 L, V6). We replaced the shocks & springs also. After getting the truck back, we noticed that it now vibrates (not just the steering wheel but the entire truck). We thought maybe the carrier bearing had gone bad so we replaced that but it still vibrates. We had the drive shaft balanced but it still vibrates. The joint & clutch shop that balanced the drive shaft also inspected it & says the drive shaft joints are fine....no problem with the drive shaft. We had the front end aligned, replaced a ball joint, and repacked the bearings - no luck with that. The transmission is fine & it idles/starts perfectly so it definately isn't a motor/transmission problem. The vibration seems to be worse when the truck is getting ready to shift and the RPMs are higher and once it shifts and the RPMs slow down, it still vibrates but not as vigorously. When driving up a hill or a steep incline, the vibration is even worse. It could best be described as a vibration you would feel if it were missing but we know for certain that the motor is not the problem. Whatever this is, it is definately related to the tires, front end, or rear end. We also noticed that it makes a popping noise when you turn sharply to the left or right.[sm=helpout.gif]

I am open to ANY suggestions.[sm=chattypair.gif] If somebody, ANYBODY here suggest something that we have tried, I will post that info. I've had quite a few people drive it and look at it but I can't seem to get two people to give me the same answer & I am running out of cash & ideas. PLEASE....if anybody else has had a similar problem or might have a suggestion about what to test next, please post it here!!! I will check this forum frequently so please reply!!!

Thank you in advance!!!! [sm=thanx.gif]

yellow_mustang[sm=bangbang.gif]

RE: 1996 Ranger vibrating???
 

did you put the shaft in the same exact position that it was in from factory? usually before you take the shaft off you mark the positions where they where located so if its 4WD you would mark the front of shaft and rear of shaft and there corresponding attachment point to make sure you re-install the shaft in the exact same position you took it off. Also be mindful that some vibration is expected when lifting a truck, longer suspension and linkages to deal with.

Trivia fact for you. ford puts a very small wobble on the drive shaft on purpose so that people wont come in complaining of vibrations all the time. And if you had the shaft balanced...... go figure!

check the shaft again

RE: 1996 Ranger vibrating???
 

Actually, we did put the drive shaft back in right. The problem ended up being that we had to drop the drive shaft down below the frame using bolts & hangers. The vibration is gone & we are now working on our next problem - lock-in/lock-out hubs. Once this problem is fixed, we are going to try to sell the truck. We just don't have any desire to keep it now - too many headaches, too much time working on it, and too much money to fix it!!!

Thanks for the advice though!!!

RE: 1996 Ranger vibrating???
 

Cool, I am glad the problem was minor. learning experience for us all. thanx