bad joint here

Discussion in '1998 - 2011 Ford Ranger' started by sgull, Jun 15, 2012.

  1. sgull

    sgull Member

    So I noticed while driving my 98 Ford Ranger 2WD I was getting a sporadic front end noise and a looseness sensation. Checked underneath and saw this: http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb153/sgull1/IMG_1811.jpg
    Could somebody please identify what is this leaking joint, what's likely happened here and what I need to get fixed. Any comment/advice appreciated. Thanks
     
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  3. Hooligan

    Hooligan Rangerholic!!

    I'm not too familiar with 2wd's but it looks like an inner tie rod?
     
  4. Brinker88

    Brinker88 Black sheep o' the family

    That's your Rack and Pinion, AKA steering box on IFS vehicles. You cant just replace the seal, you have to replace the entire assembly.
     
  5. OP
    sgull

    sgull Member

    Yes it is in fact the inner tie rod, I discovered. From what I've been reading, its likely that I have leaking seal from the steering rack, with power steering fluid which is seeping out of the dust boot there. I checked the power steering fluid level, it was slightly low but not much. I've been informed the fix is typically to replace the entire rack. I can get one for
    $140, but not sure about the labor time involved to have a shop do the change-out.
     
  6. Brinker88

    Brinker88 Black sheep o' the family

  7. OP
    sgull

    sgull Member

    Thanks Brinker for the link(s). The first one listed returned no url found. With the second one I can get three separate estimates of the labor time, "factory, regular, and extreme". Factory listed at 2 hours, regular listed at 2 hours, and extreme listed at 2.3 hours.
     
  8. Brinker88

    Brinker88 Black sheep o' the family

    Well there ya go. Glad I could help.

    And I just updated the Chilton manual for us. Thanks for giving me the heads up.
     
    Last edited: Jun 15, 2012
  9. OP
    sgull

    sgull Member

    Wow, a free online Chilton manual. Seems too good to be true. Thanks again for sharing those helpful links. I've been debating with myself whether to spring the bucks for a Chilton manual for my Ranger for a long time. Debate over. :thumbsup:
     
  10. Uncle Paul

    Uncle Paul New Member

    I second this..

    Thank you very much for the link.. That's friggin great.
     
  11. OP
    sgull

    sgull Member

    Update: I noticed today that link no worky anymore for free access to online Chilton manual (unless you have a valid Michigan driver license).
     
  12. maranger

    maranger New Member

    you can get a vehicle specific repair manual from ur local parts store for under like 40 dollars
     

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