Can you JUST replace the U-Joint on Lower Steering Shaft???

[Pete Deering]

Thanks for all the info
My shaft is not messing up yes just a torn boot

Seems the best way is a new power steering bellow Boot

$250 for a new old stock wow..found on eBay

I'm surprised that they still exist

This will be happening this weekend pull update as I go

When I had my rack removed I slip on a modified Tie rod boot. Every year, I grease the joint. Thanks you for the replacement joint infor!

 

[CDW6212R]

It is unfortunate no one has answered your question, if the u joint only can be replaced.

I had asked a dealer if they had the rubber booth and they said "no" now after a few years the steering became "tight" took it to a mechanic and the steering moves easily now but has play in the steering lower U joint (and the steering wheel).

So I ask again for you, is there a way to only change out the U joint and not the whole shaft? If yes where to buy it. As the replacement is $350.

That $350 is too much for just a stock steering shaft. There are a couple three good brand makers of aftermarket performance steering shafts. I have bought a couple for my Lincoln projects, but those are an in stock part made for Mustangs.

You might contact them and see what they could make for the Explorer. I'll bet they can make something, and it will be more precise than the OEM part. It likely won't have a boot either, generally those are made for serious racing where regular service is common.

 

[Pete Deering]

That $350 is too much for just a stock steering shaft. There are a couple three good brand makers of aftermarket performance steering shafts. I have bought a couple for my Lincoln projects, but those are an in stock part made for Mustangs.

You might contact them and see what they could make for the Explorer. I'll bet they can make something, and it will be more precise than the OEM part. It likely won't have a boot either, generally those are made for serious racing where regular service is common.

Who do you contact?

 

[CDW6212R]

Search for Mustang steering shaft, that should pull up many links for buying the aftermarket options, from multiple brands. Flaming River is one top brand, Borgeson is another, and Maximum Motorsports also makes a select few. I got one for my Mark VII made by Borgeson IIRC, which was made for a 94-04 Mustang, it was more than most, about $320 and had a nice NVH(feature like a rag joint) built into it for street use. Most of those shafts are made with solid precise u-joints, larger than stock and strong, but again they don't come with any boots to protect the joints long term. Those could also be covered as others have suggested for the stock shafts, a generic bellows or a tire tube cut and zip tied over the joints.

Here are a couple of links that can give an idea of what aftermarket shafts are out there.

This is an Explorer shaft by Dorman, $257 with a good looking boot over the joint;

Dorman 425-368

Free Shipping - Dorman 425-368 with qualifying orders of $109. Shop Steering Shafts at Summit Racing.

www.summitracing.com

This is a search result on Summit for Mustang shafts;

FORD MUSTANG Steering Shafts - Free Shipping on Orders Over $109 at Summit Racing

Find FORD MUSTANG Steering Shafts and get Free Shipping on Orders Over $109 at Summit Racing!

www.summitracing.com

This is one of those results, a universal shaft by Borgeson which includes boots over the slip joints, for $357 though;

FORD MUSTANG Borgeson Universal 000651 Borgeson Universal Telescoping Steering Shafts | Summit Racing

Free Shipping - Borgeson Universal Telescoping Steering Shafts with qualifying orders of $109. Shop Steering Shafts at Summit Racing.

www.summitracing.com

 

[FORD FOR LIFE]

Ok I got lucky
Or I'm just ocd about my maintenance

Looks good imo
View attachment 323654View attachment 323655View attachment 323656

Ok I got lucky
Or I'm just ocd about my maintenance

Looks good imo
View attachment 323654View attachment 323655View attachment 323656

Just what is this part called, is it lower or intermediate steering u joint? And what is the part number?

My one had a loose joint, and the steering wheel was having play, now not so much on its own! But when i grab and shake the link under the hood it still has play. I want to replace it one of these days.

 

[410Fortune]

Similar part used in the ranger till 2011
So you can sometimes find lower mile good ones at the junk yard

I’m convinced the boot was to keep things out of the shaft, namely brake and power steering fluid. not to protect the lube on the u joint because the stupid boot rips open by 50k miles and the shafts don’t get loose until 260k miles! Lol