Just a quick question for a 1991 ranger, 4.0L, automatic, 4x4. The truck has started to wander pretty bad, was told that it's most likely the steering gear box. Does this sound right and if so how is it to replace, any experiences?

Thanks for the input,
PHIX

 

Could be the steering box. Could also be tie rods, tie rod ends, ball joints, axle bushings, bad alignment, etc.

You need to get in there and DIAGNOSE what is causing the concern, unless you have a whole bunch of extra money to just gamble on parts.

Steering gears are not particularly difficult to replace, but you will need line wrenches and a torch set in some cases, along with a pitman arm puller, which you may be able to rent or borrow from a local auto parts store.

 

Heck, it could be a loose nut behind the wheel!!!






funny?
A steering gear box is heavy, and re-connecting the steering column 'rag coupling' or u-joint back to the input shaft of the box is difficult because they are supposed to only go on in one position. It can be done, but your arms get tired holding it in place and trying to get the splines to line up.
The above post to do a more thorough inspection is good advice. You could have a bad drag link, the arm that connects the steering gear pitman arm to the rest of the linkage. Someone needs to be moving the steering wheel back and forth about an inch or two in each direction, not enough to move the tires on the ground, while someone else is inspecting for 'play' in all the gizzards. If the steering wheel is moving, the linkage should be moving --- all the way out to the wheels. All 'flexing' should be taken in the actual tires walls, none in the linkage.
tom

sorry for the bad joke, but I couldn't resist...

 

Phix, the advice the other members gave is good to follow so you aren't replacing good parts for nothing. You should be able to find a rebuilt steering gear box at some of the better auto parts stores but they're around 200 exchanged. Some stores have a pretty high core charge too but you'll get that back. They should also offer a warranty with it. Otherwise, you might be able to find a good one in a wrecking yard for a good price but that's up to you. The box is only held in by three bolts but it's kind of heavy and it would help if you had a friend assist during removal and installation to get things lined up easier. You'll need some of the other tools that were mentioned too. Take your time with it and it should go pretty well.

 

Check LMC Truck as a possible source for your replacement steering gear. From the description in their catalog, its my guess that it is a rebuilt unit.

 

Until you have eliminated all the other parts of the steering/suspension system, the steering gear should not even be considered. Worn ball joints and tie rods can all make a car wander.

In addition to all the other suggestions, you should check to be sure that your front wheel bearings are not loose. My old '91 had a drifting problem like you describe and it turned out to be an incorrectly assembled wheel bearing jam nut assembly that allowed the adjustment to change (loosen). To check, just jack the wheel in the air and wiggle the wheel. If it's bad enough, you may even be able to see the movement by pushing the vehicle side-to-side on the ground.

 

Phix, how many miles on your truck? Reddog99 has a good suggestion about checking the wheel bearing play.