Bad Power steering rack

[jeremyh]

I am 99% sure that I blew out my power steering rack. All the fluid leaked out and I don't have power steering anymore. I haven't moved the car since this happened on Thursday night. I need to get the car to shop to get it repaired and I have an important question: Can I drive the car to the shop(~3 or 4 miles) without power steering and PS fluid or do I have to have it towed. I don't want to refill it with PS fluid, because it will leak right out onto the exhaust and smoke tremendously, and IIRC PS fluid is flamable.

any info/input is appreciated

 

[SonicRiot]

The fluid is flammable and the pump may burn out.

Otherwise, it isn't a problem to drive, just stretch out and eat your Wheaties before you drive it to the shop.

And bring a fire exstinguisher.

 

[jeremyh]

I had it towed to the shop...

 

[Ishodu]

I would have it towed, If your run it out of fluid you may ruin the pump. And its only going to cost even more. And your also risk a fire.

 

[Ishodu]

Ah good deal, you posted that when I was making my last post. Did you know that you can use a reg Taurus rack? All you have to do is reuse some spacers or something to that affect.

 

[SonicRiot]

I don't know why everyone keeps saying that SHOs and SLOs use the same rack. I've heard complaints about sloppy feel after a rack replacement in some SHOs.

According to the guys at Ford Performance Specialists in GA, the steering ratio is quicker in the SHO and a regular Taurus rack will feel very sloppy on the highway.

Several parts wharehouses confirmed this, but none could give me the ratios. There are definately 2 different parts numbers both from Ford and Cardone, but that could be due to the plastic bump stops to prevent wheel rubbing.

If the ratio is only a few points off, than many SHO drivers who have a worn rack in the first place might not even know after the rack is replaced.

Does anyone know the steering ratio of a SHO and the ratio of a regular Taurus?

 

[HopefulSHO]

According to SHOShop's website..

"The Power Steering System on a SHO consists of a shorter ratio (15.3:1 vs. 19:1) steering rack, inner tie rod ends, outer tie rod ends, power steering pump, oil lines and oil cooler."

 

[SonicRiot]

Thanks for the confirmation. Now I feel better that I bought the proper rack.

 

[3.8Lwagon]

you can use a slo rack that has vaps. they have the same ratio.

 

[SonicRiot]

Why would it have the same ratio?

Plus, SHOs do not use VAPS.