Power steering rack leak

[Bill_Dunnigan]

hello all, I'm in the market for a 2001 ST with 4x4 and 105,000 miles.
the only thing wrong with the rig is that it has a leak in the rack and pinion. If it came down to it how hard is it to replace the entire unit? are there any good write ups. also if anyone is interested, I'm looking to trade a 2004 jeep wrangler lifted on 33's for a 2001 to 2005 sport trac in good condition. I'm in Massachusetts. wish me luck entering the sport trac family!

 

[ncranchero]

I can send you the instructions from the Ford manual if that would help. Never done one myself but a couple of members here have. maybe they'll pop in and report on the difficulty.

Oh, welcome and we do wish you luck !

 

[OffTrac]

I'm in the process. It requires more patience and critical thinking to get the thing out of there than anything. It's not terribly difficult but can get frustrating at moments. At one moment, I considered forfeiting the $90 core and just taking a sawzall to the middle of the rack. That wouldn't have helped me figure out how to get the new one back in though.

I just have to reconnect the lines at this point, flush the system, and get an alignment.

All the work is in tight quarters and that makes things a little more difficult. A lift would make this 10x easier than being on jack stands. Basic tools are all that are needed. Don't bother with a tie rod separator, just beat the knuckle with a BFH until you can pull out the tie rod end.

Overall not a bad job. Steve's instructions were a life saver (thanks Steve!) and there's a couple good videos on youtube about doing this job.

Good luck with whichever direction you go.

 

[DangerBoi]

I can send you the instructions from the Ford manual if that would help. Never done one myself but a couple of members here have. maybe they'll pop in and report on the difficulty.

Oh, welcome and we do wish you luck !

Hi Steve,


I also have the same problem with the rig I just bought. The power steering fluid leaks and according to the previous owner, the rack and pinion needs to be fixed.

Can you also send me the instructions?


Kind regards,

Joel

 

[ncranchero]

Sure Joel. Year and is it a 4x4 or 4x2?

 

[OffTrac]

Those instructions were a life saver. I just want to thank Steve again. I changed mine a few weeks ago and couldn't have done it without them.

 

[DangerBoi]

Sure Joel. Year and is it a 4x4 or 4x2?

Thanks Steve.

It's a 4x4 2001 Explorer Sport Trac



Joel

 

[ncranchero]

Thanks Steve.

It's a 4x4 2001 Explorer Sport Trac



Joel

You have mail.

 

[DangerBoi]

You have mail.

Hi Steve,


Got the email. Appreciate it very much!


Kind regards,

Joel

 

[DangerBoi]

Production Date

Hi again, I have a question. How / where will I know the production date of my Explorer? I have a 2001 model but I do not know if it was before or after 9/1/2001.

Thanks!

Joel

 

[ncranchero]

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=343734

 

[myersc82]

I can send you the instructions from the Ford manual if that would help. Never done one myself but a couple of members here have. maybe they'll pop in and report on the difficulty.

Oh, welcome and we do wish you luck !

After reading this forum and a few other things online, I'm interested to see if this is a job I can complete myself. Is there anyway I can get the manual as well. It's an 02 Sport Trac 2WD.

Thanks, Chris

 

[ncranchero]

You have mail.

 

[myersc82]

You have mail.

Thank you for the assistance. It doesn't look to bad, so I think I'll give it a go next week.

 

[OffTrac]

Just be patient with getting the old one out. It's like a puzzle but it will come out at just the right angles. It helps to take out the bushings. I was considering taking the sawzall through the middle of it at one point but the core was worth too much to give it up.

Good luck.

 

[myersc82]

I finally got it out and the new one in. After all this, I fell like a professional at it. It only took me about 10 minutes to actually get it in place and about an hour and a half to get everything back on. Thanks ncranchero for the instructions, they were very easy to follow and made things a breeze eventually. Word of advice for anyone else attempting this, dont turn in the core until you have the new one in place; use it to compare to make sure everything is the same. I made the mistake of turning in the core first and they ordered the wrong part for me twice at a local auto part store, so I finally had to go online and order it to get the right one. And maybe I did it cause it was my first time replacing a rack and pinion, but keep all of your mounting hardware. The only thing my racks came with were the bushings and seals, so I had to search to find a replacement for the hose nut; which isn't very easy to do while everything else is back in place.

But overall it was a great experience and not too bad to complete once you get the old one off. And when in doubt, two sockets work better than one.

 

[crumbum]

Could you please send me those instructions also? I just walked by my daughter's car and saw a nice puddle under the (wet) steering rack.

 

[MyTrac]

Mine is not leaking, but I get horrible vibrations when doing small parking lot maneuvers! Apparently there was a bulletin sent out by ford, but I can figure out what to replace. I have the power steering pump, just dont know if I want to do it without knowing....

 

[Jackson9373]

Hi, I have a 2001 sports trac 4x2
I am trying to fix my power steering. Is it really necessary to replace the whole part for a small leak? Can you please send me the manual to replace it. I also have zero experience on working with cars. I have the tools tho.

 

[Linc]

Is there any way to repair or slow the leak until I have the the time and funds to change out the rack?