Can't see oil leak!!

[Raynman]

My 1999 3.0 2wd Ranger just started leaking oil suddenly. It is near the front, but not the oil pan..I can see that is not leaking. The oil is collecting on the cross frame member below the "rack" near the small radiator...(looks like an oil cooler?) but not from that part either. Where c9uld the oil be coming from if it is collectiing on this front cross frame area?? what part has oil flowing through it? near that area??? Any ideas??

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

pics needed..

guess: changed the oil filter lately?

what kind of oil is it? engine oil? p/s? gear oil? ATF?

 

[Big Jim M]

I'm with Mr. Hog!! Talk to us..
Big JIm

 

[Earl43P]

Check the accordion boots on the PS Rack (this boot covers the inner tie rods) for leakage.

They are cheap, but you have to remove the outer tie rod and jam nut to replace them. You'd need an alignment afterward unless you are extremely meticulous counting turns when removing/installing the OTR.

 

[fourwheelford]

Or you can use a paint pen or nail polish to mark the thread position. Mark it and let it dry before you break them loose, works good.

 

[Big Jim M]

What I do..

I take a sharp instrument and make a SCRIBE LINE on a place on the nut that I know where it lies.. Such as the bottom of the nut! Then I take a tape measurement of the distance from the nut to the end of the threads...
Then when putting it back together I twist the nut to the distance measurement and make sure the scribe line is on the bottom...I am good to go.
Big JIm

Or you can use a paint pen or nail polish to mark the thread position. Mark it and let it dry before you break them loose, works good.