Steering universal joint and front shock

[roly123987]

Just done a service on the ex and while changing the plugs I noticed the rubber boot that covers the u-joint on the steering shaft (between the bulkhead and rack) had split. On further inspection the shaft appears to be made of plastic which has started to crack at the u-joint end due to the shaft rusting (I could not take a photo of the one fitted in my car but this link shows one removed -

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=169840 it's the 11th post down the page, second picture).

Does anyone know if the shaft is metal with a sleeve or should i worry about the cracks and replace it, if so where sells them? Also where can I get a new boot from?


When I lowered the car off the axle stands and took it for a drive it behaved like the front shocks were dead (uncontrolable oscilations that would only stop once I slowed down). All wheel bolts were ok so drove it again and it settled down and has been fine since. My question being are the shocks in need of replacement or is this a characteristic of these type if they have been left unloaded for any time?

 

[Turdle]

You need to check a breaker for the part. That is where I got mine from an earlier year-96 If I am not mistaken. If the engine is already pulled out of the donor truck, the intermediate shaft will be very easy to remove.

 

[kernowman]

Got me concerned now. My steering went stiff every quarter turn a few weeks back - horrible experience when driving. My boot had split on the top and everything seemed dry and rusty inside. Shoved some grease in and all has been well since. Plastic shaft bothers me - can these break? Should imagine if they do you have no steering at all

 

[roly123987]

Just tried a magnet in the shaft and it appears to be metal sleeved in plastic so not too bothered about that now

Anyone know where I can pick up a u-joint boot that you can glue together (like the ones for cv joints)?

 

[rich uk]

mines knackered too fords didnt do a new ( boot ) cover just the whole shaft was something silly around £300 I put a cv type thing on but it has to be close fit because of the exhaust heat,
blooming awkward to fit mines not great fit ,but I got lots of grease in there

 

[kernowman]

Is it possible to get one end off to slide a boot on without taking out the column or steering rack?

 

[chrisquelch]

steering

hi it is poss if you remove the top bolt the column will slid down .so you can fit boot over it. the bolt goes through the column so no tricky alignment when re fixing. cheers Chris

 

[kernowman]

Thanks Chris, thats a relief.

 

[Ian5700]

It is quite common to have this boot split on the explorers, as is mine. If it isn't giving you grief i wouldn't worry about it, it doesn't affect the mot.

 

[roly123987]

Bought these from e-bay the other day. Don't know if they will work but they might be better than a cv boot:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....om=R40&_trksid=m37&satitle=170228694669&fvi=1

Not had chance to fit them yet but I will post when I've tried.

 

[rich uk]

cool
gotta be better than a cv cover

 

[roly123987]

Took the steering shaft out (10 minute job with front wheel off) and fitted one of the gaiters. Perfect fit (after a bit of trimming), would recommend these to anyone out there who has this issue with the boot splitting.

 

[kernowman]

Brilliant - thanks for the info - nice to hear of an easy job for once Did you pack it solid with grease because it does seem to get hot as it is so close to the exhaust manifold?

 

[roly123987]

Yep, filled it with grease. Hope it does not melt and ooze out, never thought of that!! I'll check it when I get time.