First Crash in Simi Valley of 2009!

[Psychopete]

I bought the line wrench but it doesn't help because there is some sort of shield covering the rear of the gear box and has a hole for the return line to go through. How do I get my wrench on that nut without cutting the cover off?

I don't recall that being on mine. Are you able to take a picture of what you're referring to?

Pete

 

[1987rangerxlt]

Here's a link to the pic:

The cover is around the rear tube on the gear box and it continues towards the rear of the car.

http://svhkills.tripod.com/ranger/

 

[1987rangerxlt]

My Idea

I'm just going to disconnect the hoses at the power steering pump to see if I can remove the gear box that way. I won't have to touch the hoses on the gear box. It will come off in one piece.

That's the plan anyways.

 

[1987rangerxlt]

Pittman Arm

I'm also going to replace the Pittman Arm after I noticed those visible splines. Better not take a chance.

 

[1987rangerxlt]

Part Not Available - Rancho Pitman Arm

I tried to order the Rancho Pitman Arm off of www.partsamerica.com but they emailed me that the part was not available. They had the ability to type in the vehicle to exactly match mine.

Now I looked at JC Whitney's "Drop-Down Pitman Arm" and am hoping it will work. Could it be a modification for a raised 4X4? Mine is just at the factory specs. http://www.jcwhitney.com/DROP-DOWN-PITMAN-ARM/GP_2005988_N_111+200728676+600003441_10101.jcw The site said it would work for '83-'96 Ford Rangers.

 

[hondaridr24]

the splines show on mine too, its no big deal, and yes a DROP pitman arm is usualy longer but it should have said somethin like fits a 4-6" lift or somethin like that

 

[1987rangerxlt]

Splines showing

Well, I was unable to turn the wheels left past straight ahead so it might have been the Pitman arm that was causing the trouble. Thanks for the tip so I didn't buy the wrong one.

Where can I find a standard one?

 

[1987rangerxlt]

Looks like I found one...

The Parts Bin seems to have it: http://www.thepartsbin.com/catalog/?N=1616+10336+4294965693+7118

First I'll try putting it together without a new one. It didn't seem like that bad of a crash but the front right tire went flat and the rim had a ding the inner lip that I had to pound out.

I wonder if all I had to replace was the Pitman arm in the first place and could have save money on the gear box.

 

[1987rangerxlt]

Wasted Day

I tried to separate the gear box from the Pitman arm with a separator that I pounded on with a sledge hammer but it just messed up the splines even more (not that I was going to use the old gear box anyways).

Now would be a good time to find the manual. If all else fails, read the directions.

 

[1987rangerxlt]

Steering Shaft

Don't give up on me.

 

[Psychopete]

I tried to separate the gear box from the Pitman arm with a separator that I pounded on with a sledge hammer but it just messed up the splines even more (not that I was going to use the old gear box anyways).

Now would be a good time to find the manual. If all else fails, read the directions.

Are you using a tie rod end separator? You need a pitman arm puller..

Have you actually found that to be the problem? With all of the stuff you're replacing, I wouldn't have spent a dollar until I was certain I knew what it was.

Pete

 

[1987rangerxlt]

Gear Box

All I bought so far was the Gear Box and some new hoses. I wish I could find my manual.

I'll go see if I can borrow a puller from the auto parts store.

Thanks

 

[1987rangerxlt]

Repair Manual

I tried cleaning a little to locate the manual but instead went to the libary to make some photo copies of a manual they had on the shelf.

As I read those directions, they speak of a tool T64P-3590-F, and when I typed that into the search engine I find that is a puller.

So, now I'm off to the parts store to see if I can borrow one.

 

[1987rangerxlt]

Kragen/Schucks Autoparts Puller, Lower Radiator Hose?

This is where I bought the gear box and they have a program where the tool is bought and if returned in two days a full refund is given.

It worked and I got the Pitman arm off but I couldn't get the gear box away from the steering shaft even though I removed one bolt. Is there more than one holding it?

Should I remove the lower radiator hose to give me more room? It's in the way.

 

[1987rangerxlt]

Progress

I removed the lower radiator hose and was able to get the old gear box off. Now I'll just pop the new one in there and reassemble the mess.

I'm sure I'll find it to have the same problem and all that really needed to be replaced was the right tie-rod end. Would that have prevented me from turning the wheels left?