1998 Ford Ranger: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Mar 30, 2020 · Electrical, Suspension · 150,000 miles · NJ

4wd stopped working some time ago, servo/actuator seemed to be free, recently started making grinding noises in the front right, sounds like hub is somewhere between locked and unlocked. Sort of pops out when coming to a stop HVAC does not work, fan speed only interior courtesy stopped working

Filed Oct 7, 2009 · Lights · 73,000 miles · UT

This is a 98 ford ranger xlt with 73,000 miles, my problem is the turning signals from my 98 ford ranger, everytime that I turned my truck on it makes a squeaking sound around my steering wheel, then right away my left turning signal light turns on by itself, right away when the left turning signal light turns on by itself the squeaking sound goes away, so now to quit my left turning signal light from keeping lighting on by itself I have to push down the emergency button on top of my steering wheel which turn both turning signal lights on, then right away I have to push it down again to turn them off, at that time there is no squeaking sound, but after 5 or 10 more minutes the annoying sound comes back on and I have to do the whole process again to turn off the squeaking sound, it just started to happened 3 months ago.

Filed Mar 25, 2009 · Brakes · 125,000 miles · CA

Everytime I press my brake pedal, there is a grinding/pulsating and the vehicle slowly "skids" to a stop, usually only 10-15 feet after I intended on stopping. Less than one (1) year ago, the brakes went out on my 1998 ford ranger. The mechanic told me that the ABS on the vehicle is where the problem was occurring, yet he didn't know how to fix it. He said the unnecessary pressure being applied by the ABS system caused my master cylinder's seals to crack. I paid over $400 for all brake repairs. Ten (10) months later, I'm driving on a freeway at 60 m.p.h. And my exit is approaching. When attempting to stop, I was again left with no brakes. I narrowly avoided a major accident. Thankfully I had the sense of mind to push my emergency brake (which is awkwardly located on a pick-up truck) and avoid a numerous car pile-up on a busy los angeles freeway. I took the vehicle to a new mechanic as well as a pep boys auto center, and was told that the master cylinder's seals were again cracked, and charged over $400 for the same repairs as before. I've searched numerous online forums, and spoken to numerous mechanics and ford ranger owners and every single one of them is very familiar with the problem and has faced near-death situations due to this manufacturing error. I would really appreciate a recall as it's the only one to assure the problem is fixed and the safety of others on the road (as the brakes will no longer work without any warning).

Filed May 16, 2006 · Steering, Suspension · 58,864 miles · FL

Dt*: the contact stated while driving at any speed a squeaking noise came from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the upper and lower control arms, tie rods and bearings were replaced.

Filed Jun 13, 2001 · Engine, Suspension · KY

The vehicle made a squeak noise in the front end due to lower ball joints failure.

Filed Aug 23, 1999 · Transmission · IN

Grinding noise when shifting between 2, 3. And 4. Rebuilt transmission. Vehicle lost 1st & 2nd gear. Towed. Dealer said nothing wrong with transmission. Happened again. Dealer replaced transmission. Failure happened again. Dealer said it was the driver not the transmission. Failure part is the main blocker ring. Breaks and causes damage in transmission. Ford say's it's only my vehicle that is having this problem. That is a lie. Please check out www.fordranger.com. Website for ranger owners. Go to main tech boaard. See how many people are having the same problem I'm having. It took me 8 months just to get a new transmission. The did not have a transmission for my truck in the us from sept 98 until may 99. That is ridiculus. Please address this problem. The same problem is evident in 99 rangers also. Thank you.

Filed Jul 5, 1999 · Acceleration, Brakes · OR

On starting engine hesitated ,almost stalled then raced with high RPM,while huge amounts of white thick smoke and heavy gasoline smell present.truck stalled.restarted same problem with the addition of a large black cloud of smoke from tail pipe on pushing accelerator.throttle sticks causing surging.dealer replaced throttle valve.probelm persists. Brakes make grinding noise when applied,dealer could not replicate after 4 visits they finally ackowledge problem and had to do a complete brake job.brakes are hard now and it appears that the anti locks do not engage.rear slider leaks water into extra cab when it rains. Vibration heard from ex haust area,had to have the heat shield tightened. Noise has returned./

Filed Jun 2, 1999 · Transmission · OK

While shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear there is a grinding noise.

Filed Mar 11, 1999 · Brakes, Transmission · NE

Load 'squeal' heard when releasing clutch pedal between 1st-2nd, 2nd-3rd, 2wd & 4x4 high. Will be serviced for the 3rd time march 1999. First two inspections resulted in replacement of pressure plate(2) and flywheel (1).rear drum brakes failed to release after emergency lever pulled. Owner had to apply unacceptable gas pedal pressure to move vehilce, resulting in a loud 'clunk' when drum brakes finally released.

Filed Jan 11, 1999 · Brakes, Steering · OR

Brakes have been examined twice for squeakiness. Dealer has stated that they cannot duplicate problem. Noises have worsened since last exam on 12/15/98. There are several areas of rust on the underside of my truck and on the outtake manifold in the enginge. Dealer has stated "that's normal" to repeated inquiries about this rust. I have already had throttle assembly piece, the "butterfly valve" replaced in nov of 1998. I now have sqeaky noises coming from the rear axle as well, which I will schedule for exam this week, 1/11/99.