Cracked Rack Assembly - 2007 4x4 XLT 4.0L

[witakr]

So I had the Ranger on the lift today to bleed by clutch and while I was under there I felt like looking around and guess what I found...

Well, I am curious what you guys think. I know it needs to be fixed but do you guys think this is a good opportunity to explore new options? Considering I will not be doing heavy off roading I think just replacing with a good remanufactured rack assembly would be good enough, right? Just asking for opinions.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

How is that not leaking fluid!? Or is it empty?

Just get a reman rack and be done with it. Don't think there are really any upgrades to be had....

 

[witakr]

How is that not leaking fluid!? Or is it empty?

Well, I think someone may have tried to seal it somehow before I bought the truck. You see, this crack was not my doing. It was there before I got the truck but I didn't know it. So I'm stuck with it. The truck steers just fine and there is no evidence of leakage like wet spots. That's what makes me think someone tried to seal it some how.

 

[witakr]

I have a question...

Now, I am fairly mechanically inclined and I am very comfortable under a hood, but I have never replaced anything to do with steering. It would seem I could remove it by sliding it from the driver side wheel well after making room by removing the brake rotor and break assembly.

My question: Is there a better way or maybe an online "how-to" for something of this sort? I am comfortable with this project I just want to do it right and being that i have no experience working with the steering system I might miss something that isn't readily evident and I don't want to make my problem worse.

Thanks

 

[witakr]

Can someone please explain to me the difference between these two A1 Cardone Reman R&P assemblies? ...Other than the model number..

http://www.amazon.com/A1-Cardone-22257-Remanufactured-Hydraulic/dp/B000C41IR8/?tag=959media-20

and

http://www.amazon.com/A1-Cardone-22256-Remanufactured-Hydraulic/dp/B000C46J22/?tag=959media-20

I have read descriptions one amazon and from other auto parts websites but I can't see a difference but one is much more expensive than the other..

thanks

 

[witakr]

INb4 - I figured out which one is which... There's one for regular cabs and one for extended cabs... I unfortunately had to get the more expensive one..

270 out the door no core... Not too bad I think..

Anyhow, I have the reman rack assy now and I am looking at night od wrenching this next coming Monday.


I am curious, I have done some calling around to local auto parts stores looking for new outer tie rod boots because my are torn and need to be replaced but everywhere I called said that they either couldn't get just the boots or they had to sell me all new outer tie rods which came with the boots... This sounds odd to me...

Anyone know if this is the case or can I just buy the boots some where? I need them PDQ because I hope to get the rack assy changed out on Monday.


Also, this is the first rack assy I have ever had to replace and after looking at the whole front end I am pretty confident I can handle it. I am hoping I can reuse my outer tie rods so I can (hopefully) avoid needing to get the truck realigned when I am done.

Is there anything I need to watch out for when I change this thing out? Something that may not be readily apparent?

Thanks for the help yall
Jason

 

[ksum25]

R&R of the rack is easy. you have two bolts that hold it to the frame and one bolt for the steering shaft, and all you have to do next is separate the tie rods from the rack remove some hoses and thats it. Someone must of hit a curb or something before so I would check out the frame and the mount for the rack while you have it off. I was getting my racks from autozone with the lifetime warranty so it would not cost me anything when the broke