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Ford Ranger Steering Questions

17 messages,  Last post on Jun 17, 2010 at 5:21 AM

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#1 of 17 ford ranger sterring pump problems by rideboy

Dec 21, 2006 (12:37 pm)

My power steering pump is making a howling sound.
I was told that certain year rangers and taurus had this problem.(I have a 1991 ranger)
Any way I was told that by adding dawn fabric softner that it would quite the sound and perhaps save the pump.
The person who told me this said that he had 40 years as a wrench,and ford told him to try that.
Any one else hear of this?

#2 of 17 Re: ford ranger sterring pump problems [rideboy] by bolivar

Dec 22, 2006 (3:20 am)

Replying to: rideboy (Dec 21, 2006 12:37 pm)
Never heard that one.
 
A rebuilt one is about $60 exchange. You need a special tool to remove the pulley. Autozone, etc will loan you the tool if you buy the pump from them. The tool is a gear puller for the pulley.

#3 of 17 Re: ford ranger sterring pump problems [rideboy] by jneal

Dec 22, 2006 (8:25 am)

Replying to: rideboy (Dec 21, 2006 12:37 pm)
The person who told me this said that he had 40 years as a wrench,and ford told him to try that.
I won't question that the person had 40 years but I will question whether it was as a mechanic or as a parts changer. There is a vast difference and sounds like he fits in the latter category. Using anything like fabric softener sounds to me like a used car dealer trick to get rid of the vehicle.
Ford is NOT going to tell anyone to put anything in the power steering pump except power steering fluid.

#4 of 17 Re: ford ranger sterring pump problems [jneal] by fordtech

Jan 22, 2007 (6:27 pm)

Replying to: jneal (Dec 22, 2006 8:25 am)
AMEN to that.. I should know.. I spent a few months on the Ford Hotline, the ones that give that kind of advice.. LOL I have never heard of ANYONE up there using shadetree fixes to get a vehicle (especially one at the dealer), goin down the road. That guy was a load of horse crap.. LOL

#5 of 17 Re: ford ranger sterring pump problems [fordtech] by rideboy

Jan 22, 2007 (7:21 pm)

Replying to: fordtech (Jan 22, 2007 6:27 pm)
Thanks for the reply on the steering pump,it sounded kind of strange to me.

#6 of 17 squeeking in the front by stanf

Dec 05, 2007 (10:46 am)

I have a 1998 ranger extended cab when you turn right or left it squeeks real bad while driveing at slow speeds. I lifted it up in the front and turned the steering wheel both ways and theres no noise at all. Can any one tell what this may be. thanks

#7 of 17 Re: squeeking in the front [stanf] by bolivar

Dec 06, 2007 (12:12 am)

Replying to: stanf (Dec 05, 2007 10:46 am)
I don't remember when they changed the front suspension....
 
On my 1994, with I-Beams, there is a 'radial trailing arm' or some such named suspension item. It it a large, about 2 1/2 foot long arm that goes backward from the front suspension and terminates in a cross member that holds the transmission. Where it ends is a large, round, rubber bushing and the metal arm goes thru this with a big nut on the end.
 
The bushing wears and squeaks a lot.
 
This is a pretty simple job to replace, even though it is suspension work.
 
Jack up. Remove wheel. Remove caliper, hang from a wire. Remove shock. Now,the tougher part starts. Remove the big nut inside the spring. Twist and pull the spring out. It is NOT loaded, under pressure, it will NOT fly out. Remove the big bolt holding the front of the radial arm. Remove the big nut on the back of the bushing. Pull the radial arm forward and out of the bushing. The bushings are cheap, only about $15 or so. Do both sides, they are probably both worn out.
 
If you are good with a grinder, torch, and/or drill, you can remove the rivets that hold the bracket that holds the bushing from the crossmember and not take any of the suspension down. Remove nut and pull the bushing off. Replace rivets with bolts. I didn't dare try this, there are fuel and brake lines nearby and I knew I would cut one of these with a grinder.....
 
Oh, if you have 4 wheel drive, the above isn't true. They are a lot different.

#8 of 17 Re: ford ranger sterring pump problems [bolivar] by lastnhovgator

Feb 23, 2009 (9:18 am)

Replying to: bolivar (Dec 22, 2006 3:20 am)
Heard the exact same at an Autozone this morning.

#9 of 17 Re: ford ranger sterring pump problems [lastnhovgator] by bolivar

Feb 23, 2009 (5:13 pm)

Replying to: lastnhovgator (Feb 23, 2009 9:18 am)
Guess it's gotta be true. Two times in two years.

#10 of 17 99 Ranger XLT PS noise by buster15

Mar 10, 2009 (7:13 pm)

Hey all,
 
My Ranger started to squeek in the last couple days. The noise is intermittent and only happens on turning the steering wheel. Any one with ideas, the ps fuid is topped up.

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