Recent content by Babbalou52

Thanks. I'm going to replace my sway bar bushings too. I noticed they look dry rotted & worn to the point they're not even touching the bar anymore.

Yep that was it, thanks! Upper bushing on the tie rod end was broken off & dangling. Looks to be made of plastic. There was about 2/3" of free play under the end of the sway bar. I didn't think to look there since they're so new. I'll be checking the other one now & then. For now I made a...

Just yesterday I noticed a popping sound right after I turn (left or right) & straighten the steering wheel. On the way home from work it got worse. I feel the "pop" or "thunk" through the streering wheel & floorboard. I checked all the lug nuts & they're tight. Within the last 7 months I've had...

Turns out that's what it was. I got under the truck & pushed up a few times & followed the noise to a control arm bushing. Sprayed Triflow penetrating oil in it but it didn't help. I'll get a new bushing & put it in next free Saturday.

Thanks, I'll try that.

The past 3 weeks I've heard a sqeaking sound from the left front of my 2000 XLT, 3.0 when I hit bumps. It's gotten louder & is almost constant now. If I slowly push down on the left front fenderwell it sounds like an old creaking door. If I bounce it up & down it sounds like a donkey. Anyway, I...

It's a 2000. I had to go out of town the last 2 weekends so I didn't get time to look at it yet. Hopefully I can this Saturday.

Thanks, I'll give that a try.

My driver's side shoulder belt no longer clicks into the seat part/receptacle. It goes in halfway but not enough to lock in. Has anyone here repaired one? Looks like such a simple part to quit working. I've been using the passenger side receptacle for weeks but the annual inspection is due at...

That fixed it. Put a new coil in today & no knocking or lumpy idle. Has a bit more power too. I'll check the gas mileage next fill up.

I was telling another Ranger owner that mine knocks going up hills & gets 19-21 mpg. He said there was a recall for bad coil packs on the 1999/2000 models & when his coil packs were replaced the knocking stopped & his mileage went up to 22-23. Sounded far-fetched but I thought I'd ask if that's...

Hi, I got a 2000 XLT Saturday, 55k miles, 3.0 auto, extended cab. Nice truck. Looks like a great forum here to get info. :thumbsup: I've been lurking here 4 days & learning a lot.