Hi everyone,

Please can someone help. My LHD 2005 2.7 started banging underneath this morning just after I set off for a short drive. I managed to get it home and I've had a good look underneath and it looks like it's lost a bolt which should be holding a bracket.
I've not noticed it before.

There's a metal bracket underneath the car, about a third of the way from the front, almost directly underneath the passenger seat. MINE IS A LHD

Can anyone tell me if this could be the cause, and, if it should be fixed securely what is it actually holding? I'm thinking maybe an exhaust bracket...?

The banging only occurs when going up an incline.

It's rare for me to have to share a problem here as the car has been so good over the years, so any advice or info would be greatly appreciated.

Hopefully even though the pic is upside down it might help.


 Barrie.
2017-Jan 2024: 2005 RRS 2.7TDV6. Best car I ever had - until now!
Current: 2018 Ford Ranger Wildtrak 3.2

Hi is this not the cradle for your fuel tank as I believe this is the only thing holding in your fuel tank. g

Yeah so don't fill the tank over 1/2 - 3/4 until its sorted !

cradles are on back order I think/ short supply if you need a new one due to rust

Thank you both very much. It would make sense for this to be the fuel tank cradle bracket. If it is it should just be a bolt.

And this would cause the banging noise... especially when going uphill? Barrie.
2017-Jan 2024: 2005 RRS 2.7TDV6. Best car I ever had - until now!
Current: 2018 Ford Ranger Wildtrak 3.2

Blimey . Are you able to source a replacement bolt sharpish. Might be worth looking at the others in case they’re also on the move. 2006 2.7 TDV6 HSE in Cairns Blue.

I had it recovered to the garage that does my servicing and repairs Steve. There was no way I was going to drive it there as its about 60km away. The banging was worrying enough but I was not going to risk further damage. Will update when resolved. Barrie.
2017-Jan 2024: 2005 RRS 2.7TDV6. Best car I ever had - until now!
Current: 2018 Ford Ranger Wildtrak 3.2

I would get a bolt installed and as said Chuck the others are there and tight.Once it’s sorted wire brush it and get a metal converter on then get Lanoguard to underseal and protect it’s a great product.

Might be worth checking the rubber bushes in the swinging rear harmonic dampers for the banging noise. they can make a fair "clonk" if they move enough to hit anything as they are pretty close to exhaust and chassis. Although probably do it if braking a bit hard as well, mine did so padded them with a bit of h/d foam rubber, although my bushes weren't worn/perished just a bit close to the O/F bumper.

Cheers
Col

Thanks for your help everyone, but the garage have just told me it needs a new transmission.

I can't grumble. It's nearly 18 years old, 7 years with me and no major problems, and 100k on the clock. Barrie.
2017-Jan 2024: 2005 RRS 2.7TDV6. Best car I ever had - until now!
Current: 2018 Ford Ranger Wildtrak 3.2