Steering rack failures?

[McLeadslinger]

Does the Ranger steering rack suffer from the same issues as the Bronco? I don’t want to break a rack or tie rods in the rocks or trails.

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[Whiplash]

Large tires combined with a tire getting wedged in rut , can cause tie rod failure...after a few alignments I noticed toe angle was what would change the most after some offroading... so .....I replaced the stock tie rod ends with APG Billet ends with the Heim steering joints...

 

[Wytchdctr]

The title of this post worried me. If people were seeing steering rack failures from street use on these things already, I was about to go trade in.

I do somewhat regret not getting 4 wheel drive, but with the amount of time I would use it... Eh. Mine will be on pavement for 99.99 percent of it's life.

 

[RoadBoss]

I've done some pretty intense trails and never had an issue with my steering. That's not to say that it's impossible, but it doesn't seem like it's a real weakness.

 

[McLeadslinger]

This is a time when I question why some Ranger parts are so damn expensive. $800 with tax for tie rod ends with no real
Alternative.

 

[9zero1790]

i would bet most of them with steering component issues are part of the category that screams hey yall watch this, just before doing something with the truck most would know better than try or they have mounted big heavy tires, wheels on spacers with big ol offset etc. and then they go off road and abuse it. not many factory setups can survive that without issues. id say any tire and wheel more than 33 inch and weigh more than 55 pounds or so and one is pushing luck on stock parts for a ranger.

 

[P. A. Schilke]

This is a time when I question why some Ranger parts are so damn expensive. $800 with tax for tie rod ends with no real
Alternative.

Hi Trevor,

Not sure about now but back when I was at Ford...parts were marked up around 1000% from production supplier prices.....

Best,
Phil

 

[McLeadslinger]

I joke around and call the “Ranger Tax” when comparing the price of 5G Ranger aftermarket parts to my jeep buddies parts prices. Lol.

Hi Trevor,

Not sure about now but back when I was at Ford...parts were marked up around 1000% from production supplier prices.....

Best,
Phil

 

[Jason B]

Yeah, but here in the US, Jeeps have been around for longer than our 5G Rangers, so there are lots of aftermarket part manufacturers for Jeeps.

 

[McLeadslinger]

That’s true but aftermarket tie rod ends for a Ranger look identical to that of a jeep with only some dimensions being slightly different

Yeah, but here in the US, Jeeps have been around for longer than our 5G Rangers, so there are lots of aftermarket part manufacturers for Jeeps.

 

[P. A. Schilke]

Hi Folks,

Slide for Life.....

Most people do not even know this "final" test is performed on each level of prototype and a pass is imperative to moving the program to production and on to the customer.

The vehicle is loaded to GVW and taken to the pot hole course where there is a 6" deep steel lined trough...the vehicle is accelerated to a speed of 30 mph and at the moment before hitting this trough the brakes are slammed on and the vehicle transfers weight onto the front wheels as it slides (ABS disabled) into the trough. The sound is like a sever crash... Momentum of the vehicle is usually enough that the front wheels leave to other side of the trough. Usually with dented rims and flat tires... Nothing can break with this test and the vehicle must be able to pull forward and be drivablle for a short distance. Usually the steering wheel is way off straight as it bends the crap out of the steering system but steering has to function... If anything breaks the program is a no go until it is fixed and the Slide for Life test is passed.... The test vehicle is usually beyond salvage and is set to the Recycler which is why it is done very late in the program...Trashing a several $ million prototype at the end of its useful life....

This might give you some confidence in the stock systems robustness...you should not loose steering. All bets are off for bigger wheels/tires, Wheel spacers etc....

Best,
Phil

 

[MXGOLF]

Wow that's interesting Phil. Good to know they do test vehicles robustly so there are no failures.
Thanks,

 

[McLeadslinger]

Thank you for your insight. I always appreciate what you post and it’s informative, knowledgeable nature.

Hi Folks,

Slide for Life.....

Most people do not even know this "final" test is performed on each level of prototype and a pass is imperative to moving the program to production and on to the customer.

The vehicle is loaded to GVW and taken to the pot hole course where there is a 6" deep steel lined trough...the vehicle is accelerated to a speed of 30 mph and at the moment before hitting this trough the brakes are slammed on and the vehicle transfers weight onto the front wheels as it slides (ABS disabled) into the trough. The sound is like a sever crash... Momentum of the vehicle is usually enough that the front wheels leave to other side of the trough. Usually with dented rims and flat tires... Nothing can break with this test and the vehicle must be able to pull forward and be drivablle for a short distance. Usually the steering wheel is way off straight as it bends the crap out of the steering system but steering has to function... If anything breaks the program is a no go until it is fixed and the Slide for Life test is passed.... The test vehicle is usually beyond salvage and is set to the Recycler which is why it is done very late in the program...Trashing a several $ million prototype at the end of its useful life....

This might give you some confidence in the stock systems robustness...you should not loose steering. All bets are off for bigger wheels/tires, Wheel spacers etc....

Best,
Phil

 

[McLeadslinger]

I’m over building my truck for off roading and crawling. I probably do not need $700 end links but it can’t hurt anything but my wallet. Lol.

 

[Whiplash]

Having done the complete mid travel " over build" myself, the tie rod ends were the the last pieces of the puzzle left...they looked skinny and the bend in the stock rod end bothered me....Toe angle changes between alignments gave me an excuse to replace the ball joint ends with a heavy duty end with the FK bearing, Heim joints (more range of motion)

Over kill...maybe...Peace of mind...yes...

Not sure of the other brand that makes a billet rod end..but the APG ends have a made for steel or aluminum spindle choice , might be different tapers at the thru spindle attach point.....

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