Parts for your 2014 Ford Ranger-Steering rack

2014 Ford Ranger steering rack — what it is and how to look after it

Based on the Ford Workshop Manual (WSM, Section 211-00 Steering System, PX Ranger, 2011–2014), Ford’s Electronic Parts Catalogue for PX Ranger, and common OE/aftermarket parts listings for the T6-platform Ranger, the 2014 Ford Ranger is fitted with a power‑assisted rack‑and‑pinion steering rack. So yes, a steering rack is absolutely relevant to this model.

On the 2014 Ranger, the steering rack’s job is to turn the driver’s input at the wheel into precise side‑to‑side movement that steers the front wheels. It’s a rack‑and‑pinion assembly with power assist to keep effort light while towing, hauling or crawling over rough tracks. Inner and outer tie‑rods link the rack to the knuckles, and rubber boots keep grit out of the moving bits. The result should be direct, confident steering feel on road and over corrugations.

While there’s no scheduled replacement interval for the rack itself, it deserves regular checks as part of servicing. A good technician will inspect rack boots for tears or perishing, look for any power steering fluid seepage, and check for free play at the tie‑rods. They’ll also road‑test for clunks over bumps, steering drift or dead spots either side of centre. If fluid is low, they’ll top up with the specification listed in the owner’s manual and then find the reason it’s low — a wet boot or hose usually tells the story.

Utes that work hard, carry bullbars, bigger tyres or see a lot of off‑road kms put extra load into the steering. That makes timely maintenance more important: keep tyres correctly inflated, rotate them on schedule, and get a wheel alignment after any suspension work. If the steering wheel isn’t returning to centre properly, feels heavy, or there’s uneven tyre wear, book it in sooner rather than later.

When replacement is needed, most workshops fit an OE or quality remanufactured rack. Best practice is to renew the rack mounts, inner and outer tie‑rods if worn, flush the old fluid, and bleed the system carefully. After refit, a proper alignment is essential, and many shops will also check and reset the steering angle reading with a scan tool so stability control behaves as it should. Trying to soldier on with a leaking or loose rack risks wrecked tyres and vague steering — not ideal on a big Aussie/Kiwi ute.

• Watch for: fluid on or inside the rack boots, clunks, wander, heavy steering, uneven tyre wear.
• Service tip: inspect the rack and tie‑rods at every service interval, align and balance after any steering work.

Popular questions

Does the 2014 Ford Ranger use electric or hydraulic power steering?
The 2014 Ranger (PX, T6) uses a hydraulic power‑assisted rack‑and‑pinion steering rack. Later Rangers moved to electric assist, but this model year sticks with a conventional hydraulic setup, which is robust and well‑suited to towing and off‑road use.

How long should a steering rack last on a 2014 Ranger?
With normal driving and regular servicing, many last well beyond 150,000–250,000 km. Heavy off‑road work, big tyres, impacts, or neglected fluid leaks can shorten that. Early signs like seepage at the boots or play in the tie‑rods are a cue to act before tyres and handling suffer.

Can a leaking Ranger rack be rebuilt, or is replacement better?
Specialists can rebuild racks with new seals and bushes, but most workshops use exchange remanufactured units for quicker turnaround and warranty confidence. Whichever way you go, pair it with fresh fluid, new rack mounts and an alignment.