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'99 Ranger Sport Brake Issues


UsedtobeSmart
06-23-2009, 02:01 PM
Okay, I just got this truck and it DID pass NY inspection (though I suspect because the dealer and the mechanic were friends). I've put about 400 miles on the clock just to get it home and the brakes keep getting worse and worse, not that they were good to begin with. When I got home I got under it and looked -- and lo and behold the rotors are chopped to hell. Judging by the rust on everything I think they're original to the truck and the truck has over 92,500 miles on it. I was told "new brakes all around" and I suspect I was lied to. To my mind new brakes means new or at least cut rotors and the shoes replaced on the drums. At best I was given new pads and MAYBE new shoes, though I'm not counting on it.

So, I went looking for parts -- and got one heck of a surprise when I was told there were at least 4 different rotors I could get for my truck. This is where I need help. Is there any way to tell if it has ABS or just Rear ABS? A red ((ABS)) light comes on the dash when I fire the truck up. Apparently it affects the rotor I have to get. Also, will I have to actually get under there with a frigging ruler to figure out the rotor diameter? Finally, how the frag do I tell if it's a wishbone suspension? There's a spring around the strut, but I thought that was how they did it on this vintage Ranger.

The truck is a regular cab XLT StepSide Sport, automatic tranny, 2.5L OHC, 4x2 (obviously if it only has the 2.5, but figured I'd mention it anyway). I can't think of anything else right at the moment, but if there's any questions, please ask.

Thanks in advance for the help, guys!

MORROW5
06-27-2009, 03:12 PM
1st I would be talking to the dealer or who ever you bought from but any who,
I got a 99 ranger and yes it can have up to 4 types of drums also. I just took mine with me but they go by the size and you can just take it off and measure it if you need the truck on a daily basic. They are very dif. in size and they can fix you right up. Don't sweat it it's not a bad thing at all.

UsedtobeSmart
06-27-2009, 10:09 PM
Thanks, MORROW5. I'm firing off an e-mail to the dealer now because the brakes just keep getting worse and I'm looking at quite a bit (starts at $225) in parts and labor to get this fixed since I can't do the work here with the tools I have. I have about 500 miles of the 30-day/1000-mile warranty and the General Lemon Law says that brakes are covered. I'd say I can't believe he'd let the truck go out the door with that kind of problem, but you know what they say about used car salesmen. Tack on a 3.5 hour one-way trip to the place I got the truck and you can see why I'm REALLY cheesed about this. I'm hoping it can be taken care of quickly and easily.

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