2003 Ford Windstar - steering link bent between tie rod end and

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2003 Ford Windstar - steering link bent between tie rod end and boot on steering rack. Does whole steering rack need to be replaced? Or is there another coupling under the boot?

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Status: Closed Value: $15

No the rack does not need to be replaced unless it is leaking. You need an inner tie rod to replace this you may need a special tool. But on most you can manage with a wrench or crescant. First remove the tie rod from the knuckle then remove the boot from the rack then remove the inner tie rod.

Using the (A) special tool, remove the (B) front wheel spindle tie-rod.

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Hit a curb bad and looking quick it appears that the tie rod end attacked to the "spindle" (is it called that on strut cars) is female - surprise to me since I'm used to older cars where the tie rod is male as is the steering linkage - with a coupling to join the two. All I see is that the male rod coming out of the steering rack boot is bent (at the beginning of the threads- weak spot).

So if I understand you correctly, the bent piece is attached to the rack inside the boot? The old design of two male ends meeting in a female coupling is now two female couplings with a male threaded rod inbetween?

Not driveable as is and would have to be towed to a shop. My thought was to replace the bent piece simply to get it moveable and to a shop for final alignment and checking for any additional damage.

Yes you are correct the tie rod end on this vehicle is female. For repair remove the wheel . Then the cotter pin in the tie rod nut.Then the tie rod nut.Then whack the knuckle with a hammer where the tie rod goes through the knuckle this will break the pressed in tie rod loose from the knuckle. Then lossen the retaining nut on the inner tie rod threads that lock it to the tie rod end. This maybe easier to lossen while still attached to the knuckle. Then twist the end off then remove the boot then remove the inner tie rod. Then reassemble and put the tie rod end back on about the same amount of threads then go get an alignment immediatly.

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2003 Ford Windstar - steering link bent between tie rod end ...

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