Questions and Answers

Ford Taurus SE Power Steering Rack Q. Hi Vincent, Last week I noticed that power steering in my 1999 Ford Taurus SE was making a lot of noise when turning. I took it to a Goodyear place that I have dealt with them since 1989 and I trust them. They checked the car and they told me that "on back side of steering rack seal is leaking" and they told me that they can not do it, but take it to Ford dealer in which they have special tool that they replace the seal only and they do not have the tool.

I took the car this morning to the Ford dealer at Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada and after checking it they told me that I have to replace the whole power steering rack and there is such a thing that they replace the sealing only. Even it is the leaking only from the sealing. They gave estimate in which it will cost $1184.88 to replace the whole rack and not the sealing.

My question is: Is that true that they have to replace the whole rack or they can replace the sealing that the people at Goodyear they told me about it in which I trust them? Is there any way that this will be covered under the manufacture warranty in which I have only 81,597 kilometres (50,701 miles) in it?

Thanks for your time and I hope you will guide me what to do, especially I am unemployed since April 1, 2003?

Yousif

A. On this particular steering gear, the outer seals are no replaceable. Theses seals are a common leakage point on many cars and on the steering gears where they are replaceable, they wind up leaking again. I have found it is better to just install a rebuilt steering gear.

I would call Ford Customer Service and arrange a meeting with the District Factory Representative and discuss the problem with him or her. If you are firm, but polite, I think they will do something for you.

They used to be replaceable, so I wouldn't fault your regular mechanics. If Ford won't help you, they can probably get a rebuilt steering gear and install it for a lot less than what the dealer wants for their new rack.