Steering Shaft Boot

[Bob Hatcher]

My steering shaft boot was seriously shot on my 2000 Ranger 2wd and, searching the internet, I learned that they did not make a replacement - I watched a video where someone took one that was close enough and made it work but had to do a lot of cutting to make it fit - I found a universal boot, right around 9 inches, and I just wanted to pass this off to say that it worked just fine - after cutting the old boot off and cleaning the shaft, I only had to slice off 1 small section of the smaller side and it stretched over the shaft where it needed - instead of the steel clamps provided, I just used black plastic ties - I got it from Amazon for 10 bucks - I wish I had a simple part number to pass on but just search for "Universal Replacement rack and Pinion Boot Kit Stretch Steering Rack Boot"

 

[pjtoledo]

that looks good. I improvised a used shock boot for mine.

 

[Ashrev]

That looks great. Just noticed mine looks like the photo on the left.

 

[Bob Hatcher]

That looks great. Just noticed mine looks like the photo on the left.

I saw a video where someone else used a rack boot but he packed grease in the boot but none into the actual u-joints so it really doesn't do much good - I can see where grease is still in my joints so I left that alone - not like it is rotating at full speed LOL!

 

[Ashrev]

Do you have to disconnect the battery when you take the shaft out? I'm never sure what might deploy the Airbag when working on steering components.

 

[Bob Hatcher]

Do you have to disconnect the battery when you take the shaft out? I'm never sure what might deploy the Airbag when working on steering components.

In my case, I had no battery in the truck since I am getting the truck ready to install a 302 - with everything out of the engine bay, it is easy to spot defects all around that need some attention

 

[Ashrev]

302, Nice!

 

[Agarza34]

My steering shaft boot was seriously shot on my 2000 Ranger 2wd and, searching the internet, I learned that they did not make a replacement - I watched a video where someone took one that was close enough and made it work but had to do a lot of cutting to make it fit - I found a universal boot, right around 9 inches, and I just wanted to pass this off to say that it worked just fine - after cutting the old boot off and cleaning the shaft, I only had to slice off 1 small section of the smaller side and it stretched over the shaft where it needed - instead of the steel clamps provided, I just used black plastic ties - I got it from Amazon for 10 bucks - I wish I had a simple part number to pass on but just search for "Universal Replacement rack and Pinion Boot Kit Stretch Steering Rack Boot"

How's the boot holding up, I did the same thing little less than a year ago and the boots pretty much shot from the areas I zip tied.

Also does anyone on here have a ranger that makes like a grinding sound when the turn for me it's more at low speeds and when I turn the wheel to the left. Could the intermediate shaft be going bad?

 

[Bob Hatcher]

I haven't been able to install it yet - my main goal, before the winter set in, was to get the 302 bolted to it's mounts in the truck, sealed up & the hood shut and I was able to accomplish that in middle November just before the real cold weather & snow set in - looking forward to getting back to it as soon as the winter weather breaks

 

[Agarza34]

I haven't been able to install it yet - my main goal, before the winter set in, was to get the 302 bolted to it's mounts in the truck, sealed up & the hood shut and I was able to accomplish that in middle November just before the real cold weather & snow set in - looking forward to getting back to it as soon as the winter weather breaks

Sounds good, build looks good btw