There comes a time in every relationship when little things can build up to the point of being a hassle. That's how we felt about our long-term Ford Ranger last month, when little things about this truck started to grind us the wrong way, both literally and figuratively.

First off, you'll recall that in our previous report, our friendly Metro Detroit Ford dealer (who performed the Ranger's 25K service) told us that the truck's front brake pads were down to about 20 percent of their remaining life. Our service advisor had said we'd likely need the front brakes redone by the time the 30,000-mile service interval came around. Well, we didn't quite make it that far. It was at 26,458 miles, to be exact.

Over a period of about two weeks, an occasional faint front brake squeal turned to a regular discernable grind, so we deemed it wise to go back to the dealership -- Roy O'Brien Ford, Inc., in St. Clair Shores, Mich. -- to schedule the front brake job. As usual, we were greeted promptly and courteously, and the service person, Kristen Benson, took it in right away without an appointment.

The good news is, she called later that same evening to tell us the truck was done. The bad news is, it would set us back $295. For the three bills, their technicians removed and replaced the front pads, overhauled the calipers, machined both rotors, bled the lines and adjusted the brakes. Sure enough, the new brakes were both quiet and firm. But there was still more work that needed to be done this month.

You'll also recall that we had been planning to get the Ranger's cracked windshield replaced this time around. (During the truck's cross-country trip out to Detroit from LA, a stone tossed by an SUV outside Flagstaff, Ariz., struck the Ranger's front glass just below the wiper arm on the driver's side. By the time we made it to Detroit, a crack had traveled all the way across the lower portion of the windshield.) We had investigated three different independent auto glass contractors before deciding on Speedy Auto Glass, also in suburban St. Clair Shores - thanks mostly to location, a good price and decent service reputation.

The glass shop was teamed with a Ziebart auto care franchise, and after finding our way back to the service desk, we asked assistant service manager Heath Caldwell for an appointment. He said he'd order the glass and have it delivered within 48 hours, and to come back in a couple of days for the installation. Two days later we arrived right on schedule at 9 a.m., and the truck was pulled in and promised by 6 p.m. that night.

The good news is, the new windshield was done on time, with no gooey glass sealant leaking out anywhere. The bad news is that for the $242.58 we paid to have it done, you'd think the shop could have vacuumed out the bits of old windshield glass and rubber shavings that littered both front floor mats. If only the service industry could learn to do that "little extra" to make the repair experience a satisfying one ... Geez!

Even more disappointing was the fact that the night after the windshield was replaced, we took the Ranger out for a shopping trip to Home Depot, and on the way home, the new glass took a stone square-on while traveling on Detroit's crumbling I-94. No crack this time, thankfully, but a very tiny pockmark has now christened the fresh windshield as if to say, "Hey, NO auto glass can go untouched in THIS town!"

Detroit's time with their Ranger is now up, and even though the Clor family has lived with a Ford Ranger of some sort in their garage for the better part of a decade, they're not going to miss this one much. Oh, sure, they'll miss the easy hauling service the Ranger provides - especially since spring has sprung and there's a lot of landscaping to do around the house. But they've simply outgrown the Ranger, as it just can't handle all the transportation needs of a family of four despite being a four-door SuperCab model.

And then there is the noise issue that started to wear on them. This is not a quiet, comfy pickup. It's loud on the inside - tire noise and engine roar and wind buffeting. It's louder than any of the half-dozen or so Rangers they've owned - but then again, it's a 4x4, and they never had one of those before. (Just for the record, they only shifted the Ranger into four-wheel drive once this winter, during a snowstorm.)

The Clor family isn't sure a "four-by" is needed for regular suburban family life in the Midwest. They know ride quality and fuel mileage suffers because it's a 4x4, but it was mostly the loud and noisy driving experience that turned regular commuting into a grind. The best way to deal with it is to pop in a CD and crank up the volume. But when Mrs. Clor removes all but the "Bee Gees Live" CD, music isn't an option.

On the bright side, our shiny red Ranger still looks sporty and fresh. Although driving it requires some measure of youthful exuberance that sometimes isn't mentally available, it is still a handy little hauler that returns an average of 16.5 miles per gallon in mostly city driving. Clor's14-year-old says he'd love to own this Ranger when he gets his license in 24 months. But as far as mom and dad are concerned, the next truck they get will have to be bigger ... and quieter.

Total Odometer Reading: 27, 025
Best Fuel Economy: 18.7 mpg
Worst Fuel Economy: 15.4 mpg
Body Repair Costs: $242.58 (Windshield replacement)
Maintenance Costs: $295 (Front brake reline)
Problems: Clunky fan clutch at idle. The "Door Ajar" idiot light comes on and goes off sporadically without reopening or re-closing the doors. Aftermarket step tube foot tread is missing on driver's side.