Manual Steering Gear - Ford Ranger Maintaince And Repair Manual

Cutaway view of the Mountaineer, 1995−99 Explorer and 1998−99 Ranger inner tie rod
1. Unlock the steering column, engage the parking brake then raise and safely support the vehicle.
2. Clean away and loose dirt or oil from the steering rack housing.
3. Loosen the jam nut but keep it flush with the outer tie rod end.
4. Remove the outer tie rod end, then remove the jam nut from the inner tie rod end.
5. Remove the steering rack housing from the vehicle.
6. Clean the areas around the boots where they attach to the steering rack housing.
7. Remove the clamps from the boots (both the small outer and large inner clamps) then remove the
boots from the housing, separating the vent tube while doing so. Note the location of the vent tube
ends at the boots.
8. Turn the input shaft as required to expose the flat at the outer end of the rack teeth. Ensure that
enough of the flat is exposed to engage an adjustable wrench to it.
The torque required to break the inner tie rod loose could exceed 100 ft. lbs. (136 Nm). If this force is reacted
against the pinion teeth, sufficient damage may be incurred to affect the smoothness of operation.
9. Use a large wrench on the inner tie rod socket flats and an adjustable wrench on the rack teeth flats
and remove the tie rod.
To install:
10. Install the inner tie rod end to the rack and using the two wrenches as per removal, tighten the tie rod
end to 81−95 ft. lbs. (110−130 Nm).
11. Apply 1 cu. in. (1639 cu. mm) of wheel bearing grease evenly around the large end of a new boot and
half as much grease to the small end. Install the new boots, working the vent tube onto its fittings, and
align them to their original positions.
12. Install new inner (large) clamps and reinstall the outer clamps.
13. Install the locknuts and outer tie rod ends.
14. Install the steering rack housing back into the vehicle.
15. Lower the vehicle. Have the front wheel alignment checked and adjusted by a professional shop.

Manual Steering Gear

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Manual Steering Gear