New here, need some help if possible

[steveus]

My son, off at college has a 96 2WD, ext. cab Ranger. He calls and says the steering is getting hard, this was about a week ago. Then he calls back today, says he can't drive it anymore. Will not steer to the left, but to the right is normal. Is this enough info for anyone to know what's going on? Thanks in advance, Steve

 

[4x4junkie]

Did he check the power steering fluid level?

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! Check the fluid, front end parts, and the alignment. Is one tire low on air or a different size?

 

[leefhead]

Did he check the power steering fluid level?

thats the only thing i could really think of... though it doesnt make much sence it would work turning one way and not the other...even with no fluid you should still be able to turn it...its very hard, but it should turn.

 

[steveus]

Thanks fellows, I've told him to try to check all of this, mainly the power steering fluid, as that's what I thought of first, and the easiest for him to check. Will let you all know when we find out.
Steve

 

[Tbars4]

...welcome here...

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

I've had that same problem on a Mustang, with the steering getting progressively tighter until it finally hangs in one direction. It was the spool valve inside the steering rack. I don't think they're serviceable; the cure is to replace the rack and pinion unit. Not too bad a job, IIRC.

 

[steveus]

O.K. guys, my son trailered the 96 Ranger home from college last night, I started looking at it this morning. Here's where we stand... When wheels are straight ahead, they will not turn to the left at all, but will turn right all the way. This is the case with tires on ground or front end jacked up, turning by hand or turning steering wheel. Lots of play in the wheel. Power steering fluid all over the place. I'm assuming its the gear box, so been trying to take it off. I'm not a mechanic, but I can usually get things done if I have tools. Anyway, trying to take off the Pitman arm first. Got nut off no problem, borrowed puller, but no luck. Been reading about lesser quality puller breaking, but this one hasn't broken, but also no luck with getting it off. I've hammered all I could, tightened all I could, will not budge. I've heard of heating with a torch, but I don't have a torch, as afraid of a fire with all the fluid around. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

 

[IZwack]

You're correct, its probably the gearbox.

Your local parts store may have a pitman arm puller in their loaner line of tools -- that would be my first move.

In addition, you can try a pickle fork, just to warn you though that pickle forks often damage the surrounding area they contact.

 

[steveus]

Thanks, IZwack, the pitman arm puller that I've got borrowed is exactly like the one you've pictured for me. Should I have to disconnect the other end of the Pitman arm from the Drag link to give it some play? I hope not, but it looks to me like without doing this, it may put the other end ( that I'm tring to pull off ) in a bind? Thanks for your help.
Steve

 

[IZwack]

Yes it will help to disconnect the other end to relieve some stress.

 

[steveus]

Still do not have the Pitman arm off. Have worked on it all weekend! Keep spraying with PB Blaster, keep hitting it with hammer in what little space I have, keep tightening Pitman arm puller, nothing doing yet. Any tricks? As always, thanks in advance.
Steve

 

[IZwack]

If you already have the nut off -- reconnect all of the steering linkage (but leave the pitman nut off). Then turn the vehicle on and turn the steering wheel left/right a few times -- hopefully that'll loosen it a bit. It would also help if the vehicle is parked on pavement or something hard where the tires can get grip.

 

[4x4junkie]

I probably wouldn't even worry about getting the pitman arm off, that box sounds like it's hosed big time. If you get another box at a junkyard, chances are it'll already have an arm on it (just make sure you get the same box 2WD/4WD, as the pitman arms are different for each).

I'd replace the pump and flush out the lines, too, who knows how much metal debris might be floating around in there.

 

[steveus]

Thanks to everyone; I finally got the Pitman arm off, of course I had to go back to work today. I put some power steering fluid in, started engine, turned the wheel, fluid is pouring out. Guess that's my next step, find out where it's coming from. I'll let you all know; I can tell I'm going to get in over my head, but it will be right when I get finished!
Thanks, Steve

 

[IZwack]

So can you tell us how you got the pitman arm off? For future readers...

 

[steveus]

I worked on this thing all day Saturday and Sunday, left the puller on just as tight as I had strength for. Then this morning (Monday) just pulled on it a little more, and she finally came off. Maybe the pressure staying on the puller all weekend finally made a difference. Of course, the whole time, I was striking the bolt on the Pitman arm puller as hard as I could, then tighten all I could. I guess just not giving up was the thing.
But, I'm just getting started so I'll keep ya'll posted. Will be needing more advice, I can tell you that! Next session, going to try to find out where the fluid is coming from. Steve

 

[steveus]

I can tell I've got a major leak of power steering fluid coming from somewhere ABOVE the gear box, so my local auto parts friend gave me some degreaser/cleaner to get everything clean and dry so hopefully I can find it. The power steering pump is right above the gear box, so I'm assuming something there. It's not coming from the shaft that the belt pulley is on, so what are the other choices? Hope you guys don't mind the time, but I'm not a mechanic, just trying to save some $$ because I have to...two kids in college, etc. Maybe this whole thing will be a good walk-though for others down the line. Thanks very much. Steve

 

[steveus]

Thanks for all the help. Found out that power steering leak was the seal in the gear box where it fits onto the steering column. When I disconnected gear box, shaft just fell down inside of gear box, no doubt about that being my problem. Going to try to put the new gear box on tomorrow, will let ya'll know how it goes. While truck has been blocked up, went ahead and changed engine oil and filter.

 

[Donner]

Hi Steveus... Just a question, I might have missed this in reading. The steering wheel turns fully to the right, but upon return to the left, it stops at a certain point? Or, is it that once the wheel is turned to the right it will not return at all to any area left? Thanks!