Hi, new member here but I've been lurking for a while.

I have an issue that maybe someone could give me some ideas on.

First, my Ranger:
2000 standard cab short bed
2.3 4 cyl engine 2 wheel drive
5 speed standard transmission
around 170k mileage

The Ranger has always been very reliable and to this day runs like a top. General maintenance has always been kept up.

Lately there seems to be a worsening issue "somewhere" with the suspension.

I consider myself a "car guy" and do most basic work myself.

However, I am not too fluent with suspension parts\issues so I figured I'd post here.

Lately, there seems to be something "loose" within the suspension. Whenever I go over a small bump\dip or sometimes when a sharp turn is made, I can hear and feel something "pop", like it is loose.

It started almost unnoticed but it has gotten very bad as of late.

I have also started having a hard time keeping an alignment the past year, but I'm not sure if it is related or not.

I'm very sure the vehicle needs new shocks on the front and rear, which I am buying shortly, but is there anything else that I should be looking at here?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!!!

 

At a 170k it can many things.

Much depends on records for past suspension work. If you are the original owner and never had suspension work performed, then all ball joints, upper/lower control arms bushings, shocks, tie rods (inner/outer) on the front end.

If you not sure of the past maintenance history, then bring it to a local shop and pay the $100 for a complete inspection having them focus on the suspension and whether you have oil sitting in your spark plug holes.

If you're not into the $100 bucks, then get a very high powered flashlight and jack the front tires up , place on stands and then using your hands/feet move the tire and focus the beam of light on each ball joint, tie rod, bushings etc. looking for movement/play in each joint.

Put that beam of light on each rubber bushing found on the underside of your truck and look for cracking or missing rubber. Look for oil leaking from the shocks.

Chances are, you're going to find a lot of issues.