• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

Will I need to get this boot replaced?


Plum Ranger XLT

Plum Ranger XLT

Active Member
Joined
Aug 9, 2007
Messages
440
Reaction score
29
Points
28
Location
Lawrenceburg, IN
Vehicle Year
2008
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
I noticed this just a few minutes ago while checking the fluid levels in my Ranger and happened to look down at the boot on the steering shaft where it connects to the power steering rack and was wondering if I need to have this replaced or is it something I can ignore?
 

Attachments



adsm08

adsm08

Senior Master Grease Monkey
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
Ford Technician
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Sep 20, 2009
Messages
34,623
Reaction score
3,613
Points
113
Location
Dillsburg PA
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
31X10.50X15
If it is the one on the shaft, which I think it is, you can ignore. It's purpose is more to keep things away from a u-joint on the shaft so it doesn't grab wires or get bound up.
 
Plum Ranger XLT

Plum Ranger XLT

Active Member
Joined
Aug 9, 2007
Messages
440
Reaction score
29
Points
28
Location
Lawrenceburg, IN
Vehicle Year
2008
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Okay. The steering on this feels fine as of right now and will check on it from time to time to see if it gets any worse and have no idea as to how long it has been like that.
 
adsm08

adsm08

Senior Master Grease Monkey
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
Ford Technician
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Sep 20, 2009
Messages
34,623
Reaction score
3,613
Points
113
Location
Dillsburg PA
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
31X10.50X15
Nah, you will know if a problem starts. It will all of a sudden feel like you have no power steering on two opposite quarters of the turn, and it usually happens over night. Newer trucks are more prone to it because the shaft is aluminum and the joint is steel and the bi-metallic corrosion gets inside the caps.
 
gw33gp

gw33gp

Well-Known Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
TRS Banner 2010-2011
Ham Radio Operator
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
1,733
Reaction score
536
Points
113
Location
Costa Mesa, CA
Vehicle Year
2002
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0 SOHC
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
33"
If that were mine, I would use a little silicone to seal up the cracks and openings. I think it helps to keep dirt and grit out of there which can accelerate wear. I did this on my upper ball joint boots to get another 5 years life out of them. I did eventually have to replace those ball joints but they were still in decent shape when I finally did. The lower ball joints are still solid and they have over 220K miles on them.
 
55trucker

55trucker

Active Member
Joined
Aug 1, 2016
Messages
602
Reaction score
183
Points
43
Location
Oshawa, Ontario
Vehicle Year
1998
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Engine Size
3.0L
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Lift
-
Total Drop
mild
I have that very same issue, I noticed that split in the boot approx a year ago, I did fill the boot with wheel bearing grease to the max, seeing as I wash my engine bay down on a regular basis I didn't want to cause damage to the u-joint.

Ford is the only place you can get a replacement (at least here), there's no aftermarket item.
 
Plum Ranger XLT

Plum Ranger XLT

Active Member
Joined
Aug 9, 2007
Messages
440
Reaction score
29
Points
28
Location
Lawrenceburg, IN
Vehicle Year
2008
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Last Tuesday I got some krazy glue and was able to glue the boot together where it was separating and so far it has been holding together. Only time will tell how well this is going to work and hopefully it does work.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Members online

Total: 787 (members: 14, guests: 773)

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Latest posts

Truck of The Month


Shran
April Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

Latest Album Photos

Hunters
20240409_190831.jpg
20240409_190818.jpg
20240409_180824.jpg
20240409_182648.jpg
20240409_181010.jpg
20240408_175026.jpg
99 Ranger
20200706_161414.jpg
20240207_155117.jpg
20240207_155111.jpg
20240207_154537 - Copy.jpg

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top