bad joint here

[sgull]

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

 

[Hooligan]

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

 

[Brinker88]

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.

 

[sgull]

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.

 

[Brinker88]

Here's a nifty little tool I use. The second link will give you the hours a shop will charge you. Enter "rack and pinion" and all your information.

http://www.rangerforum.net/f29/online-repair-manuals-2206/

 

[sgull]

Here's a nifty little tool I use. The second link will give you the hours a shop will charge you. Enter "rack and pinion" and all your information.

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.

 

[Brinker88]

Well there ya go. Glad I could help.

And I just updated the Chilton manual for us. Thanks for giving me the heads up.

 

[sgull]

And I just updated the Chilton manual for us. Thanks for giving me the heads up.

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:

 

[Uncle Paul]

I second this..

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

 

[sgull]

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

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

 

[maranger]

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