NHTSA Complaint #10541934 — 2002 FORD RANGER

TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC BECAUSE OF TAPPING NOISE COMING FROM FRONT END. MECHANIC REPLACED BUSHINGS AND SUPPORT RODS ON BOTH SIDES BUT THE TAPPING NOISE PERSISTED. AFTER RETURNING TO THE REPAIR SHOP, THE MECHANIC POINTED OUT THAT THE BOOTS ON ALL UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS HAD ROTTED OUT AND APPARENTLY LED TO PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE BALL JOINTS. SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW, KEPT IN A GARAGE AND HAS HAD MINIMAL USE OF ONLY 10,000 MILES OVER ELEVEN YEARS, THE MECHANIC SAID HE HAD NO OTHER EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THEY NEED REPLACEMENT AFTER SUCH LOW MILEAGE. I'VE ALREADY SPENT $242 FOR THE BUSHINGS AND RODS. NOW, IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S GOING TO COST ANOTHER $1000 TO REPLACE THE FAULTY BALL JOINTS. *JB