Clunk, clunk, clunk, goes my 1999 Ford Ranger

Tiny
BILLJ818
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 FORD RANGER
I have a 1999 Ford Ranger, V-6, 2WD, 71,000 miles. It has a clunking noise that sounds like it is coming from the front or near the front of the truck. You can only hear the noise in hot weather, and after the truck is run for a few miles. The longer you drive, the louder it gets. I have replaced the upper and lower front ball joints, upper and lower control arm bushings in the front suspension, Sway bar bushings and links, outer tie rod ends, shocks, and coils spring insulators, also all in the front of the truck.
All the body mounts are tight and look to be in good condition.
The bolts on the rack and pinion steering are tight.
I removed the drive shaft and cleaned and greased the splines. I also replaced the back shocks.
I tried riding the brakes, but the noise does not stop.
I have had this noise for over a year, and no one can find the source, not even my Ford Truck dealer.
I have been over the entire truck several times and everything looks fine, and the Ford people agree.
As I stated this is only in hot weather. I live in Florida, so we have a lot of hot days. In the mornings if it is 60 degrees or less, I can drive for half an hour and not hear a bit of noise.
The noise sounds like when a stabizer bar is loose, or exhaust is clanging against the frame. But both of these items have been checked several times.
By the way, this noise happens when going over an uneven road. It can be heard more on a wavy road than it can on a bumpy road.
Thanks, BillJ
Saturday, May 12th, 2007 AT 8:29 AM

8 Replies

Tiny
BILLJ818
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Thanks for the reply. I had checked the bumper bolts and motor mounts a couple months ago, but I checked them all again today, and they are all tight. I also checked the A/C, P/S, ALT bolts they are all tight. I do have one question though, I notice there are only three bolts holding the A/C compressor on, but it looks like it may be designed for four bolts. The upper rear of the compressor has a hole for a fourth bolt, but it does not contain a bolt. I don't think a bolt could have fallen out because it is a long bolt and the throtle cable linkage would be in the way of removing a bolt. Should there be four bolts? Thanks
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Sunday, May 13th, 2007 AT 4:07 PM
Tiny
BILLJ818
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
I have a 3.0, so I guess 3 bolts on the A/C compressor is ok. Any other ideas on my clunking problem? If it is of any help, I can NOT hear the clunking sound from outside the truck if I bounce it up and down by the bumpers.
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Sunday, May 13th, 2007 AT 7:43 PM
Tiny
BILLJ818
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  • 9 POSTS
That idea has been mentioned to me, but I don't understand why a rock or such would only make noise when the weather is hot.
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Sunday, May 13th, 2007 AT 9:00 PM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Are the bolts holding engine and tranny together tight?
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Monday, May 14th, 2007 AT 7:32 AM
Tiny
BILLJ818
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Hi, Sorry it took so long to get back to you, but I wanted to try a couple more ideas before I posted back. I checked all the trany to engine bolts, all are tight. I'm sorry to say I am about out of ideas. Nothing I have tried has helped. The only other idea I'm thinking is maybe in the rack and pinion steering after the fliud gets hot. I have checked the rack for any inner tie rod play when the rack and pinion is cool, and found none. I have had a few other people contact me with this problem, but no one has a solution.
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Saturday, July 21st, 2007 AT 5:19 PM
Tiny
BILLJ818
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Hello, I have been having a lot of problems uploading pictures to your site. I have several photos taken of the heater hoses, but I can't get them to upload. It took me over an hour and 50?? tries to upload these two pictures. Thanks.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/73627_heater_hoses_004_2.jpg


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/73627_heater_hoses_005_1.jpg

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Friday, July 27th, 2007 AT 4:41 PM
Tiny
BILLJ818
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
I'm sorry to hear that you are out of ideas, but thanks for your time. Maybe I'll find the source of the noise someday. I'll let you know if that ever happens. Thanks again.
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Saturday, July 28th, 2007 AT 5:55 AM
Tiny
FORDTRUCKBUM
  • MEMBER
  • 19 POSTS
I have a 99 XLT 4x4, when I first bought it I noticed clunking after it warmed up as well. It was a real head scratcher for me too.

Not sure of this is your issue, but I took it to a drive train specialist shop here in austin and they told me it was the drive shaft. Being that my driveshaft has a universal joint about 1/3 of the way between the transfer case and the rear differential that had worn out.

I ended up purchasing/installing the aluminum sport drive shaft to replace the old one and the problem never returned.
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Monday, August 27th, 2007 AT 4:02 PM

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