| Ford Ranger Pick-Up: Rack-and-Pinion Steering Replacement |
| Bruce Bonebrake addresses steering problems on a 1998 Ford Ranger pick-up. |
From "Weekend Mechanic"
episode WKM-411 |
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(Continued from page )
Installing the New Steering Rack - Clean the steering rack shelf of debris and road dirt. Fit the new steering rack into place adjusting the power steering lines and cooler as necessary and lining up the mounting bolt holes.
- Install the mounting bolts through the rack bushings and the mounting brackets. Thread the nuts on by hand. Use a wrench to hold the bolt and another to tighten the nut to snug. Then use a torque wrench to tighten to specification.
- Re-install the steering column coupling onto the rack, secure it with a bolt and tighten down. To flush the lines, tape up the return line to plug it, start the car and the old, dirty power steering fluid will flush out. Be sure to have a catch basin ready.
The cooler can be re-installed, fitting it carefully into position. Add the mounting nuts, and tighten them down using a wrench and a good amount of muscle. Re-install the power steering fluid line, being careful not to strip the threads. On some fittings, you'll need to replace the O-ring. In our case, there's a captured O-ring seal that does not need replacing. To complete the rack installation, re-install the tie rod ends into the steering arms at the wheels, tighten down the castle nuts and secure them with new cotter pins.
Adding Fresh Fluid and Bleeding Air Out of the SystemWith the installation complete, you'll need to add fresh power steering fluid, being careful not to overfill, and bleed any air out of the system. - Remove the cap from the power-steering fluid reservoir and add the new fluid from there.
Weekend Mechanic Pro Tip: Many people believe that power steering fluid and transmission fluid are the same. They are not. Always use the type of power steering fluid recommended by the vehicle manufacturer and do not mix different kinds of fluid. Use of the wrong fluid may damage system hoses and rubber seals in the power steering pump and valves. Check your owner’s manual to find out what type of fluids your vehicle can use. Important: Once you've completed the installation and added fresh fluid, do not start the vehicle yet. You still need to bleed the air from the system. It might take several refills before the system finally gets all the way filled up. To bleed the steering system, turn the wheels lock-to-lock several times. This will force air out through the power steering fluid. Then top off with more fluid.Repeat the process, topping off each time with fresh power steering fluid, and checking the level on the dipstick. Important: Be careful not to overfill the power steering resevoir. Fluid overflow, foaming and possible engine damage can occur. Once done, be sure to check the lines and fittings for leaks.Test Drive With the installation complete and new fluid added, our Ford Ranger feels great on the road. The steering is smooth and not binding or jerking like it was before the repair. Remember that it's important to also have the wheels aligned after doing work on the steering. Other Potential Sources of Steering Problems Although we narrowed our steering problems down to a worn rack and pinion assembly, some other situations that could cause poor steering include underinflated tires which may make the vehicle hard to turn and cause it to "wander" while driving, especially at highway speeds. Also unbalanced tires can cause shimmy and excessive fluid leaks. Stiff steering could also mean that the ball joints are defective or there are problems with the suspension system.
| ALSO IN THIS EPISODE: | | Ford Ranger Pick-Up: Rack-and-Pinion Steering Replacement |
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