1992 Ford Ranger suspension problems

Filed Sep 6, 2010 · Suspension · 118,000 miles · PA · crash

I have a 1992 ford ranger the passenger side spring tower mount is completely rusted and the front shock and spring have dropped making the truck unsafe to drive the brake line was smashed when it gave way. My boyfriend also had a 1992 ford ranger that this happened to causing him to wreck and total the truck so we had to junk it. I wish I would have known it was a common thing for the 1992's only on the passenger side. It must be pretty common as ford has made a replacement part!!!!

Filed May 29, 2007 · Suspension · 81,000 miles · MD

Over the course of about two days, I noticed a scraping noise coming from the right front wheel. On the second day, I noticed upon approaching the truck that the right front fender was almost touching the tire. Removing the wheel, I discovered that the upper spring seat had deteriorated to the point that the coil spring was thirty degrees from its original position. The sheet metal in the seat crumbled in my hand when I took hold of it, and the housing was torn 75% of the way through from front to back. At high speed, this vehicle would have been a death trap. I note 15 similar complaints in your database. Left side spring seat is perfect and intact.

Filed May 20, 2003 · Body, Suspension · 102,680 miles · VA

I own 92 ford ranger. Last thursday,5/15/2003, while driving to work I noticed my passenger side front lower than the rest of the truck. After I parked at work I investigated and noticed that the shock/spring tower was rusted so bad that it was almost ready to fall off. The spring was bent backwards and the shock was broken at the bottom. At the ford dealer, the mechanic said he had never seen anything like that. He also told me that they only make that part for the right side? The left side looks like brand new. Apparently only the right ( passenger ) side rusts out and not the left. It seems that metal is inferior and can cause a serious accident. Ford must know about this problem because they only make the part for one side and not the other. I can't find any recall info on this. Besides the $800.00 cost to repair, this can cause a serious accident.

Filed May 19, 2003 · Suspension · VA

While driving the left leaf spring and shock absorber fell apart due to rusted mount attachments.

Filed Apr 4, 2003 · Suspension · 95,000 miles · OH

My wife was driving to work when she heard a loud noise in the right front of the truck. The right side of the truck dropped down. On her way home, the brake and ABS lights came on. By that time she was home and told me what happened. I checked the master cylinder and it was empty. Looked under the truck and saw the bracket holding the right coil spring had rusted away. The bracket on the left side was ok. Had the vehicle towed to a repair shop. The vehicle is still in the repair shop.

Filed Feb 17, 2003 · Body, Suspension · 101,700 miles · GA

Suspension failure. Right front spring seat on my 1992 ford ranger has completely corroded. Coil spring and shock absorber have broken through failed spring seat causing vehicle to sag considerably on the right and pull to the right when driving. Additionally, the frame arm where the spring seat is riveted has also corroded to the point where ford refuses to attempt a repair due to fear of liability. Ford dealer confirms that the left spring seat is not corroded and appears normal in appearance and function.

Filed Nov 21, 2002 · Suspension · IL

While driving consumer heard a noise from the front end of the vehicle shortly after the noise the brakes failed. Consumer had vehicle serviced. The cause of the brake failure was as a result of the front coil spring upper mount rusting and breaking off which cause the brake line to brake also. Please provide more details. Ts

Filed Aug 27, 2002 · Suspension · KY

Failure of the right suspension, collapsed. Upper spring seat and shock mounting bracket rusted out and broke off. Dealer assessed the failure along with a ford field engineer. Conclusion was that there is no history of this type of failure in ford's records and no recalls. Blamed the failure on accident damage that was evident by new fender on the truck. Dealer was advised that no suspension or frame damage was sustained in the accident and was advised that the repairing shop could be contacted for that assessment. Dealer advised that insurance company should be contacted for possible coverage.

Filed Jul 1, 2002 · Suspension · MO

Front coil springs bracket broke after consumer parked the vehicle. Contacted dealer, and the dealer wasaware of problem, but had not remedy.

Filed May 3, 2002 · Suspension · IL

Spring tower deteriorated prematurely and collapsed while driving along highway, causing vehicle to swerve almost losing control. There was no warning of what was happening. I even had the vehicle serviced the day before, and no appearent defect was detected. When I confroned the service writer at the ford dealership ,he told me this was a common problem for this truck. Further explained that the condensation from the AC drips on this part causing it to rust and fail sooner. He informed me the parts were in stock. The price was about $100. For the part and aprox 200. For labor. He also recomended another shop where I could go and have done a little cheeper. So I checked with them , they also told me this was a common occurance with this type of vehicle. Lately the've done several. I think this needs some investigation. I think I was fortunate not to have crashed. This are a large number of this vehicle on the streets. Something needs to be done. Please feel free to contact me (708) 417-8104 or (708)422-1699 thank you. Ak