Steering

Hi all

I have been lurking as none member reading up on the steering rack problem. I’m at bit of a loss now and could really do with some help please.

The history of my steering issues are as follows:

So to start the steering went hard and I was advised to change the pump. So I flushed the system with fluid then changed the pump only to make very little difference.
Next was reconditioned rack that went in with another flush . This worked for about 2 weeks then went solid again. This stayed solid for 3 weeks then went normal just before going into the garage to change the pump again as I was advised it had failed.
So it’s now had 2 new pumps and a rack reconditioned.
So it comes out the garage working fine and guess what, just gone solid again. This is really driving me nuts!

I changed the fluid bottle on the first pump change also. And flushed another 4 litres of fluid through before the second pump change.

Thought please

Ok from what I can gather it was the rack on this video. But I have had a reconditioned rack just fitted. Would this be the problem?

On 2006 to 2009 there was a manufacturing problem where they didn’t clean out the racks properly but it still took 10 years before mine failed. When I fitted a new pump it made it worse because that was pre broken. Only way to diagnose it conclusively would be to diagnose with a gauge which is a main dealer tool unless you make one like I had to. If the rack was fitted by a garage I would tell them to sort it out.

So in answer to your question, there was several things wrong with my steering. It had the wrong fluid in, the filter was dirty, the new pump I fitted was faulty and finally the seals in the rack had disintegrated. reconditioned racks are normally tested before they are sent out. I would check with the company that reconditioned your rack and get there advice.

Stv123 said:

So in answer to your question, there was several things wrong with my steering. It had the wrong fluid in, the filter was dirty, the new pump I fitted was faulty and finally the seals in the rack had disintegrated. reconditioned racks are normally tested before they are sent out. I would check with the company that reconditioned your rack and get there advice.

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Hi
I have spoken to the chap I got the rack from twice now. First I got told it was the pump so changed this. Unfortunately it was not the pump. Now I have been told the rack must of been damaged whilst being fitted. I’m now talking it to a 4x4 specialist to fit yet another rack but New. If this correct the issue I will send the other rack back if no damage is visible.
Thanks for your replies

Wightsurf said:

Hi
I have spoken to the chap I got the rack from twice now. First I got told it was the pump so changed this. Unfortunately it was not the pump. Now I have been told the rack must of been damaged whilst being fitted. I’m now talking it to a 4x4 specialist to fit yet another rack but New. If this correct the issue I will send the other rack back if no damage is visible.
Thanks for your replies

Click to expand...

It's very unlikely to be a rack was "damaged" in fitting, it's not something that's easily damaged. I'm guessing it wasn't reconditioned at all, maybe just cleaned up and sold on? Sounds like the rack supplier is wanting to wiggle out of his obligations to supply you a serviceable component?

If you payed by credit card (I always do for distance purchases), then you can claim the money back from the card issuers.
It doesn't need to go to a 4X4 specialist, as the steering and suspension is basically the same as a Ford Mondeo.
Good luck.