1999 Ford ranger 73,000 miles, 3.0 V-6, automatic transmission, 2 WD, rack and pinion steering. I have the 1999 Ford Ranger that has the clunking noise only when hot. I have posted this problem several times, and have received many good ideas from this forum. I went out and bought a used Steelman Chassis Ears, and have tracked the problem to the steering rack. When the truck is cold there is very little noise that comes from the rack but as it gets hot the noise gets much louder, to the point you can hear it with the naked ear. I get a lot of clunking noise through the Chassis Ears when I hook the clamps to the housing of the rack inside of the boot. This is between the boot and the mounting bolts. The noise is about the same on both sides of the rack. I have disconnected the tie rod ends and checked the inner tie rods for play and there is no play. I removed the boots and checked for leaks or damage, there was non. The fluid level is fine, and looks clean. Any ideas as to what is the problem? Thanks, billj

 

I had a popping noise from my front end, and it was due to a dry, tight inner tie rod end (under the rack boot) on the driver's side.

 

Thanks for the reply. I think my problem is the same. I'm going to change the inner tie rods as soon as I can. I have been told I can remove the outer tie rods without holding the inner rack so long as I use steady pressure, and don't jerk or hammer on them. (There are no flat spots on the inner rack to put a wrench on while I remove the outer tie rods)

 

that sounds like the same problem i am having on my truck

 

This appears to be a common problem with Rangers. I have had several people on forums comment that they are having the same clunking noise problem.

 

dido same problem!

 

The tie-rod itself has flats, so you can unscrew the outer tie-rod end. I replaced both inner, and outer tie-rod ends while I had it apart.

 

Yep same problem on my 2WD, gonna install new Spicer inner & outer rods here soon

 

Thanks guys for all the replies. I picked up a set of inner tie rods today. I hope to have time to put them on this coming weekend. I replaced the outer tie rods about 6 months ago.