Broken tie rod?

[computersoc]

2001 Ranger XLT 2.5L with RWD and manual transmission, single cab. 238k miles.

Had this happen today in the picture. Looks like a tie rod? What all will I need replaced? The rack and pinion with tie rod ends? My shop lets me buy everything on Amazon or Rock Auto and bring it to them, but I'd need to know what to buy.

Thanks.

 

[scotts90ranger]

Assuming the other front tire is steered inward it looks like a broken tie rod end, the rack is probably fine but the ball fell off the tie rod end, while there might as well replace both, they're probably the same part...

 

[97RangerXLT]

Assuming the other front tire is steered inward it looks like a broken tie rod end, the rack is probably fine but the ball fell off the tie rod end, while there might as well replace both, they're probably the same part...

They are not the same part at least on the 97. (97 and older have completely different steering than your 2001 tho...) One side is slightly thicker than the other, same for the crush sleeves. Definitely agree that both need replaced tho.

AJ

 

[scotts90ranger]

Things get a little different with a rack where the inner tierod end is spherical and rotates. On the TTB and TIB and a regular steering box yes one is left hand thread and the other right hand thread so you turn the adjusters the same direction to do an alignment, with a rack I think they take an easier route and make both sides right hand thread, but I could be wrong... I think I changed both on my '00 Explorer and remember them being right hand thread? Rock auto or Amazon should have it listed as either right and left or just one part...

 

[computersoc]

Should I order an inner tie rod, outer tie rod, and bellow for both sides? I noticed some liquid leaked on the ground and you can see it's wet in the photo. How do they refill that?

 

[Vindictus]

Rockauto has them on sale https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=227131&cc=1372687&pt=7428&jsn=__GIP__306__
There In the wholesale section

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Should I order an inner tie rod, outer tie rod, and bellow for both sides? I noticed some liquid leaked on the ground and you can see it's wet in the photo. How do they refill that?

Order it all. You broke one the rest aint far behind.

That fluid is probably power steering fluid...its refilled under the hood in the power steering resivior

 

[19Walt93]

The outer tierod end separated so it must have been worn and loose for quite a while. If one was worn enough to do that, I'd replace both. If there's only a little fluid leaking out of the boot, the boot needs to be replaced and I'd do both of those, too. If there's much fluid the rack is leaking and needs replacement. I assume either your state doesn't have safety inspections or whoever inspected the truck didn't do a thorough job. I'd have the ball joints carefully inspected ,too before you have a worse failure. If a tierod separated without causing a wreck or anyone getting hurt, you won.