'93 MTX Steering - hunting and locks up - Help a lady

[xouroborus]

My sister's '93 MTX with 200K+ miles is having problems with the steering. Twice it locked up while making turns. Once while at highway speeds to the left and other while making a 25 mph turn to the right. And it was locked, not hard to turn, frightening. She said as soon as she hit the brakes, it freed up both times.

Another steering problem is that the steering will hunt at any speed thru a corner. What it feels like is that the power steering pump is cutting in an out a little. The belts are new and adjusted properly. You can turn the wheels while parked and the steering wheel will jump a little in you hands. She took it to a mechanic to have it looked at. He said that the outer tie rods were loose, the inner tie rods had a little play, the rack had a little binding, but the power steering pump was fine. But he stopped short of what might cause the steering wheel to lock up and handed her a $750 estimate and let her drive away. I think the car is unsafe to drive and it is now parked until it is been worked on.

So it seems a couple problems are happening. VSS, VAPS, rack and pinion, tie rods, struts, ignition tumbler…..

Any thoughts on what should be adjusted, repaired or replaced?

 

[bacernate]

I Am An Ase Auto Technician And It Sounds Like A Internal Problem In The Rack And Pinion Steering Unit. All Fords Of This Vintage Had This Sort Of Problem After They Get Higher Up In Mileage. I'm Glad You Decided To Not Drive The Car As It Is A Definate Safety Issue.
750 For Tie Rods And A Rack Doesn't Sound Too Bad For A Price.
If You Need More Advice Pm Me.
I Have Never Seen Or Heard Of A Wheel Totally Locking Up Though. It Has To Either Be The Rack Or Some Thing In The Column.
I Would Explore The Rack Option First Though As You Already Know That It's Bad.

 

[shopartsnw]

I agree that it sounds like a rack issue. A replacement rack comes with inner tie rod ends too. The rebuilt rack is only about $100-150, but the labor is where it can get expensive. I have done five SHO racks in the last year.

I am located in Portland/Vancouver and am for hire if you want. I can also point you through the proceedure if you want to take on the job yourself

You can send me a PM with your contact info if you want me to give you a call or email.

- Mike

 

[xouroborus]

Thanks Guys - I agree after reading more on the forum that the rack and rods probably needs to be replaced at this time because of their age and the problems this vintage has. But I sure would hate to send her down the road with a 'new' rack, only to have it lock up again and something dreadful happen.

So let us pretend that the rack is not the issue. What else could be the cause of the lockup?

 

[rksc90]

I had a Sable that locked up, if its not that might be the variable assist unit or something losing all assist , I dont know, maybe try unplugging the connector on the rack if it has that option?

 

[oh_SHO]

The steering wheel locking sounds like the lock when you turn the key off. How worn is the ignition?

 

[projectSHO89]

Nothing. It's the rack.

Playing ostrich won't help....

Steve

 

[nkb93]

Nothing. It's the rack.

Agreed.

The steering wheel on my '89 locked up recently during an autocross event. It was a very tense moment, not able to wrestle the car in the proper direction. Luckily all I did was take out a bunch of penalty cones, no one else was around.

After installing a new rack, no more problems.

Nate

 

[jedhead]

I had my steering bind on me make hard sharp left turns. Took a long breaker bar to the Subframe bolts that loosened. I'd check the bolts and bushings. The rack and tie rods next.

Bob

 

[projectSHO89]

I had my steering bind on me make hard sharp left turns. Took a long breaker bar to the Subframe bolts that loosened. I'd check the bolts and bushings. The rack and tie rods next.

Bob

Bob,

You brought up an excellent point. I'd forgotten that a failing subframe mount or bolt can also cause loss of steering control.

If one corner of the subframe drops, the result can be quite similar to the described symptom.

Add this to the list of things to be checked before the rack is addressed.

Steve