1997 Ford Ranger question

Just bought my son a used 97 Ranger for his 18yo bday. I've got an intermittent braking problem usually happens going downhill or medium/hard stops. Loud clanking coming from the back. While parked with parking brake on I can rock the truck back and forth and observe the rear axle (pinion angle) rotating up and down a couple inches either way. I can grab ahold of the driveshaft and can't wiggle it in any direction so the U-Joint seems to be ok and surviving what's going on. I suspect worn shocks and/or leaf springs. I'm going to replace shocks 1st and see if that solves the problem and if not replace the leafs. Anybody experience this before and what solved it? I'm hoping just the shocks will fix the problem.

This is a 97 extra cab 4x2 with 175k miles.

Worn bushings in the leaf springs?

bujeezus said:

Worn bushings in the leaf springs?

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This. If the pinion is moving chances are the bushings are shot.

Thanks for the info. On first inspection the bushings looked ok but I'll check again before I run to Orielly's after work today.

Make sure your leaf packs don't have broken leafs in them and also check the U-bolts and the spring pads on the axle. Also check the hangers where the leafs attached to the frame. Not just for the bushings but also for failing brackets.

tjm73 said:

Make sure your leaf packs don't have broken leafs in them and also check the U-bolts and the spring pads on the axle. Also check the hangers where the leafs attached to the frame. Not just for the bushings but also for failing brackets.

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This was my first thought. I also suggest you go over to therangerstation.com and ask there.

I already checked the u bolts and made sure they were tight. Could only get another quarter turn on them and I thought I might snap one off.

The leaf packs and hangers all look good visually and no free play with the bushings. I've seen shocks that were completely shot to the point they almost fell apart when you remove them from the car so I picked up a new set. But I've never known leaf springs to wear out, bushings yes, but not leaf springs. Then again I don't have a lot of long term ownership/experience with them either. Gonna replace the shocks on Saturday and go from there. If that don't work I'll just pick up a new set of leaf springs that come with the bushings already installed and be done with it.

I only paid $1800 for this truck and it's in decent shape so I don't mind throwing a few more bucks at it.

I stumbled across therangerstation.com today. Seems like a good forum so I'll probably have my son sign up over there.

The rear shocks were done for. Both had no rebound at all and 1 of them I could feel metal on metal so the seals inside were done for. The rear axle pinion still moves up and down more than I think it should so might be time for new leaf packs and bushings.

But that wasn't the source of the noise. On the rear drums 1 of the small metal plates that the tiny cable for the star self adjuster routes/wraps around was sheared off and in a couple pieces. So the cable and those metal pieces were flopping around inside the drum. Rebuilt the drums with new hardware and shoes so everything is GTG now.

Sounds like Shackle Bushings