2019-2022 Ford Ranger suspension DEFECT class action

[Grumpaw]

Interesting.....just went out and checked mine, and both have a " - " on both sides. Don't know what that means or implies, but my Lariat is level side to side.

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[Frenchy]

I would check mine but I don't have the factory leafs anymore

 

[D Fresh]

Interesting.....just went out and checked mine, and both have a " - " on both sides. Don't know what that means or implies, but my Lariat is level side to side.

Not sure if it's there's a difference SCrew vs SCab, or 2wd vs FX-4?

Perhaps they made up the difference with the shims? Can you see your shim situation in there?

 

[Grumpaw]

Not sure if it's there's a difference SCrew vs SCab, or 2wd vs FX-4?

Perhaps they made up the difference with the shims? Can you see your shim situation in there?

Will look. Mine is a Screw Lariat Sport, 2 wheel drive.
There are some square, what I believe are shims between the axle and the spring perch.
Drivers side has 2 and passenger side has one. Shims look to be around 1/4 inch thick.

 

[rydfree]

I have a 2021 Ford Ranger and after my lift was done I found out there was a factory defect that caused a lean on the left rear. My lean is resulting in the right rear being 3/4" higher than the left rear. Supposedly the lean is because because of the gas tank but never the less Fords poor attempt to fix it was to put a 1/4" leaf spring plate in which did basically nothing. Also ReadyLift knew of this defect but said nothing and still sold the lift kit. This is a Ford factory defect causing cosmetic, mechanical, and safety issues that has not been completely addressed and fixed by Ford. If anyone is interested in pursuing a class action lawsuit please let me know. I want to see if there is any interest. I for one am spending a chunk of money trying to get this defect fixed and my truck level in the rear.

Have you installed a tailgate damper ? That just adds more weight to the left side rear

 

[Deleted member 1634]

I do have a case! Just measured... a clear ½" (12.7mm) lower on the driver side at the rear. I am sure that gets worse when I am in the driver seat putting more weight on the driver side suspension. Also, I only have a half tank of gas right now, so maybe it gets worse. Strange they didn't put the gas tank on the right to serve as ballast when being drive with single occupancy. Guess that would screw up drivers of North American cars who aren't used to walking around the car to fill up like in most Euro models.

In all seriousness though, I am not going to participate in a class action. Arguably aesthetic in nature. Might be tempted to throw a spacer in eventually, once I solve the hood strut issue.

As someone in a production environment one thing I'll say about this is that just because it's out of tolerance doesn't mean it's necessarily unacceptable from an engineering perspective. There are plenty of things I see everyday that are out of tolerance, and it's my job to decide if it's a problem as is, or figure out how to fix it. I wouldn't be surprised to find out that Ford discovered this during early production, analyzed it, and deemed it acceptable as is. Or that's why they added shims to some trucks. As an engineer, using my engineering judgment, a 0.500", or even 1.000", difference between the left and right is not of any concern to me and my daily use of my Ranger.

I have a feeling you guys (the public/consumer) would be very surprised as to what happens behind the scenes to make such a complicated machine. Remember, all of this is designed, engineered, tested, and built by human beings.

 

[Grumpaw]

As someone in a production environment one thing I'll say about this is that just because it's out of tolerance doesn't mean it's necessarily unacceptable from an engineering perspective. There are plenty of things I see everyday that are out of tolerance, and it's my job to decide if it's a problem as is, or figure out how to fix it. I wouldn't be surprised to find out that Ford discovered this during early production, analyzed it, and deemed it acceptable as is. Or that's why they added shims to some trucks. As an engineer, using my engineering judgment, a 0.500", or even 1.000", difference between the left and right is not of any concern to me and my daily use of my Ranger.

I have a feeling you guys (the public/consumer) would be very surprised as to what happens behind the scenes to make such a complicated machine. Remember, all of this is designed, engineered, tested, and built by human beings.

And there it is....human beings are the problem...
Who would have thought....

 

[Jason B]

As someone in a production environment one thing I'll say about this is that just because it's out of tolerance doesn't mean it's necessarily unacceptable from an engineering perspective. There are plenty of things I see everyday that are out of tolerance, and it's my job to decide if it's a problem as is, or figure out how to fix it. I wouldn't be surprised to find out that Ford discovered this during early production, analyzed it, and deemed it acceptable as is. Or that's why they added shims to some trucks. As an engineer, using my engineering judgment, a 0.500", or even 1.000", difference between the left and right is not of any concern to me and my daily use of my Ranger.

I have a feeling you guys (the public/consumer) would be very surprised as to what happens behind the scenes to make such a complicated machine. Remember, all of this is designed, engineered, tested, and built by human beings.

I agree. Even if they know about it, how do you correct for it in a production environment when it varies from truck to truck? I highly doubt they will assemble a truck, measure for difference, then disassemble the suspension to add shims.

 

[P. A. Schilke]

Something I haven't seen brought up, and that is in most cases complaints are about 1/2-3/4 inch. Could be something as simple as a minor problem with a shock being a bit shorter on one side, or even a leaf spring or coil spring being arched a bit low or coiled a bit tighter than the other.

Hi Steve.

You brought up a very good point concerning tolerance stack up...

best,
Phil

 

[Glocker]

When I installed the add-a-leaf kit to my truck, the driver side stock had a factory spacer the the kit's instructions advised to dispose of. I actually kept the spacer and kust used a longer u-bolt. No lean and no need to sue anybody. ?

 

[Deleted member 1634]

I agree. Even if they know about it, how do you correct for it in a production environment when it varies from truck to truck? I highly doubt they will assemble a truck, measure for difference, then disassemble the suspension to add shims.

Well, it could be corrected. We make repairs and fix things on the line all the time. But they would have to know what the original cause is. Is it a design issue; is it a manufacturing issue; is it a tolerance stack-up issue; is it a technician issue; is it a supplier issue. It's also whether or not it's worth it to fix it. Like I said, if it's deemed acceptable as is from an engineering perspective, then manufacturing has no motive to spend time and money to fix it.

And you're right, the end result measurement is probably not recorded, but rather the measurements of the individual parts and subassemblies. We don't measure the symmetry of our aircraft after it's completed and heading out the door. We measure at each part, subassembly, and build station to ensure those are acceptable.

 

[mailbox4449]

And there it is....human beings are the problem...
Who would have thought....

Beat me to it. Was going to add...."just always remember...That person was the best candidate hired for the job" I always think that when I see someone who isn't performing to par

 

[Deleted member 1634]

Beat me to it. Was going to add...."just always remember...That person was the best candidate hired for the job" I always think that when I see someone who isn't performing to par

And on top of that, even the best of the best still make mistakes. Nothing is perfect.

 

[mailbox4449]

And on top of that, even the best of the best still make mistakes. Nothing is perfect.

That's why you hire two....to check the other guys work

 

[Grumpaw]

Beat me to it. Was going to add...."just always remember...That person was the best candidate hired for the job" I always think that when I see someone who isn't performing to par

I really don't think it's always the workers fault. One could always point to the materials and parts that are given to the worker to install. Would the worker know if the shock rod was not to specs, maybe 1/4 inch longer or shorter. Would he/she know if one of the spring leaves were not at the proper arch specs, or if a coil spring was 1'4 inch shorter from side to side.
I'm sure that the vast majority of UAW take pride in what they turn out.

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