Author Topic: ranger trouble? (Read 1049 times)

ratgunner · « **on:** January 22, 2005, 05:53:25 AM »

Anybody got an idea whats wrong here?My 03 4x4 ranger has 15000 miles and it sounds like I have a flat or bubble in a tire ,I rotaed & checked the air also rebalanced but it still makes a thumping noise down the road.Friend has a 97 ranger says his does the same thing.It's really annoying.Any ideas?

bgjohn · « **Reply #1 on:** January 22, 2005, 08:02:37 AM »

My Ranger is OK. You could have a bad tire. Radials can separate internally and get out of round. This isn't safe as they can blow easily. That's what happened when you see a complete tread laying along the highway.
JM

ratgunner · « **Reply #2 on:** January 22, 2005, 08:24:14 AM »

:-) Yeah but would they not notice that when balanceing them?

KN · « **Reply #3 on:** January 22, 2005, 11:35:11 AM »

Probably not, I had a set of tires on my 97 150 that did the same thing. I had neglected them and let the air get out of whack too long. Tires looked and ballanced fine but they thumped so bad I had to replace them. KN

MSP Ret · « **Reply #4 on:** January 22, 2005, 01:20:36 PM »

If thats the problem a "good" tire man would have noticed it, but how many "good" tire men are there left nowadays, just pay them for the tires and they stick'em on the rims for you. Hes right, it could very well be a seperated tread. Put the tires on a high speed tire balancer and watch (and feel?) the tire tread as it spins, look for a piece of the trie that "lifts" from the tire carcass (body of the tire)....<><.... :cry:

Nightrain52 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 22, 2005, 03:58:54 PM »

I agree with the others here. Radial tires are notorious for a "broken belt" in the tire and yes they can be dangerous if they come apart at highway speed. Most tire jockies any more may be one step ahead of the geek in the sporting goods dept. you frequent. Find a reputable tire shop and tell them you think you have a tread seperation or a broken belt in one or more of your tires and would like for it to be checked.

BlkHawk73 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 22, 2005, 04:39:22 PM »

i'm thinking the same as the rest here are. Try putting on a differnt tire and check for the sound/feel. Also thinking maybe a CV joint.

ratgunner · « **Reply #7 on:** January 22, 2005, 09:29:45 PM »

Thanx guys,guess I got to go to the garage :cry: I'm not happy either only 15000mi. and I rotate every 4to5000.BTW these are goodyear/badyears,I like the looks of the new general grabber ATII.Anyone have suggestions,I 'm not looking to spend afortune . This is for the future though for now I'll only replace one like I have.

Nightrain52 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 23, 2005, 05:36:35 AM »

Go to a Goodyear Tire dealer and he might be able to make a cash adjustment on the bad tire. Never hurt to try and all you have to do is ask. Unless you just want a complete set you may be able to get by just purchasing a tire to replace the bad one if he will work with you.

bgjohn · « **Reply #9 on:** January 23, 2005, 08:21:38 AM »

The bad tire I had was so bad that when I jacked up the truck and measured the diameter is was an inch or two difference between max & min. You could actually see that it didn't look round.

Good luck @ Goodyear.
JM