Need to replace steering rack

[BlindAssassin111]

Well my rack finally had the power steering fault while driving. Been a few years since the first ever fault showed up but I got by fairly lucky given I drive around 5k or less a year. Wasn't expecting it to just outright stop working while moving, thankfully I was in a parking lot at the time and no one was close to hit or be hit by.

So I have two options, a local shop or the local ford dealer. The local dealer has been great to others I know (which is a first for me), but I assume the cost would be noticeably higher? Does anyone know a current estimate to expect for dealer vs local shop so I know if they are trying to screw me over? I saw the similar thread posted recently but the OP was in canada so the dealer pricing isn't directly comparable.

I assume whoever install would align the steering right? Not an additional thing I would need to get done on top? Literally had an alignment 2 weeks ago so not wanting to pay for it again after the failure. And lastly, I assume I need to flash back to the stock tune given the need for coding the rack?

And before anyone mentions doing it myself, sadly I don't have that option. The closest DIY shop is ~60 miles away (can't do the work where I live) and then I would have to find a way to program it from there which makes me nervous.

 

[Joshw0000]

You don't need to flash to stock tune. They're programming the steering rack, not the ECU. I paid $2500 for OEM Ford parts at a local shop (not dealership). I suspect it'd be higher at a dealership. Whoever does the work should align it as well.

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[BlindAssassin111]

You don't need to flash to stock tune. They're programming the steering rack, not the ECU. I paid $2500 for OEM Ford parts at a local shop (not dealership). I suspect it'd be higher at a dealership. Whoever does the work should align it as well.

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Good to know, Hopefully the pricing isn't too far off. Waiting on quotes from 3 shops and the dealer just in case.

Does anyone remember if the racks come with inner and/or outer tie rods ends? Been trying to find that out and had no luck so far. Would be nice if it came with at least the inner tie rods and boots.

 

[Joshw0000]

Good to know, Hopefully the pricing isn't too far off. Waiting on quotes from 3 shops and the dealer just in case.

Does anyone remember if the racks come with inner and/or outer tie rods ends? Been trying to find that out and had no luck so far. Would be nice if it came with at least the inner tie rods and boots.

I don't think so. Or if it does, my shop didn't install them. I replaced my front lower control arms recently and the tie rods didn't look new.

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[Texas Marauder]

Good to know, Hopefully the pricing isn't too far off. Waiting on quotes from 3 shops and the dealer just in case.

Does anyone remember if the racks come with inner and/or outer tie rods ends? Been trying to find that out and had no luck so far. Would be nice if it came with at least the inner tie rods and boots.

The rack will come with inner tie rods only.

 

[BlindAssassin111]

The rack will come with inner tie rods only.

Good to know, thank you!

On another note, I was told by a local shop that there was actually a recall for the 2013 Ford Taurus for this exact issue, but for some stupid reason my VIN wasn't attached to that recall despite the verbiage being "2013 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with any available engine", but I guess the SHO isn't "any available engine" . Tired of shit like this.

So still have to pay out of pocket sadly but hoping this shops price is better than the first which quoted at $3200 lol.

 

[Texas Marauder]

I believe the recall only applies to vehicles with these manufacturing dates.

 

[BlindAssassin111]

I believe the recall only applies to vehicles with these manufacturing dates.

View attachment 92216

That sucks given how many still have the issue that were made after that date (which is basically all of the 13MY lol). Just looking at the NHTSA site alone most reported issues are related to this for the 13MY Taurus. (269 of 544 complaints listed)
Doubt they will ever extend that recall given it was done in 2015.

 

[Joshw0000]

I believe the recall only applies to vehicles with these manufacturing dates.

View attachment 92216

Hmmm....I need to check my manufacturing date. Mine is a 2012.

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[BlindAssassin111]

Welp, second quote was even higher at $3400...having a fun time right now lol.

 

[kryptto]

Hmmm....I need to check my manufacturing date. Mine is a 2012.

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You can contact Ford Technical Data Sheet to help:

https://www.ford.com/support/how-tos/owner-resources/vehicle-documents/how-can-i-request-a-technical-data-sheet/

 

[BlindAssassin111]

You can contact Ford Technical Data Sheet to help:

https://www.ford.com/support/how-tos/owner-resources/vehicle-documents/how-can-i-request-a-technical-data-sheet/

You can also just put your VIN into parts.ford.com as it tells you the build date on the side after you input that info. Pretty easy thing to do actually. I just wish it was easier to figure out where along the line my car was built without buying the $50 certificate.

Also got the quote from the dealer at $3700. Still trying to find a shop we want to use because at minimum $3200 is a pretty hefty bill. Wish the recall extended to my car so I could save that money instead...

 

[Joshw0000]

Good news and bad news. The good news is, after doing some digging, my car was built in 02/02/2012 and DOES qualify for the recall (15S18).

The bad news, the recall was performed in 2015 at 29,996 miles, before I bought it. So, based on that, these power steering assemblies are good for less than 100K miles and I'm not qualified for any reimbursements.

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[BlindAssassin111]

Good news and bad news. The good news is, after doing some digging, my car was built in 02/02/2012 and DOES qualify for the recall (15S18).

The bad news, the recall was performed in 2015 at 29,996 miles, before I bought it. So, based on that, these power steering assemblies are good for less than 100K miles and I'm not qualified for any reimbursements.

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Damn, that is unfortunate but at least you tried.

EDIT: Also your car was built only a few months before mine (05/07/2012 for my '13).

EDIT 2: Just realized that the part number for our racks is technically different as the part changed on 02/06/2012 when I assume the 13's started production. This means they covered the first few weeks of the 2013 steering racks but not beyond despite them being the same part until 06/11/2012. So I guess they decided that only a tiny part of the batch would have coverage despite them all having the same potential for the issue lol.

 

[BlindAssassin111]

Debating about towing the car to a DIY shop to do the work myself because no shop is coming even close to the price I can afford atm. But I had a few questions before I start adding up the costs for that seriously.

1) Is using forscan to code the rack a good idea? I know I have seen videos on how easy it is but it slightly bothers me given it is just downloading the values and I have no way to understand those values before committing to it.

2) If I were to just take it to a dealer to code, what would I expect to pay and is that something that dealers are okay with normally or would I see a lot of pushback? And is there a reason to not drive it until coded? Like would it be safe to drive a bit to the dealer?

3) Are there any very important things to know prior to attempting this to not cause issues? Never replaced a rack like this so I just want to make sure.

4) Lastly, any parts I should consider changing at the same time? I would be doing the outer tie rod ends as well (recommendations for which to use would be nice as well).

 

[kryptto]

forscan to code the rack a good idea?

I have not done this procedure myself - however if performed properly in order save the existing and code the new you are good as gold. Backup the PSCM and apply to the new steering gear rack.

dont think you can drive it properly without the restore procedure.

From looking at the procedure - you are taking a lot of parts off, the sun frame

 

[Texas Marauder]

I wouldn't say using FORScan is easy but, it is probably doable. As long as you understand the risks. You need a paid license and the v2.4.xx beta version. The new rack will be blank. You need to program the firmware (operating system) and the as-built data (operating characteristics). FORScan will download the firmware, if it is in their library. If it isn't available you'll have to get it yourself. The as-built data is available from https://www.motorcraftservice.com/AsBuilt . You can also use FORScan to read it from your current PSCM or FORScan may be able to download it. There is no need to understand the values.

I suggest you read thru this post on the FORScan forum.

How to update module firmware with FORScan - FORScan forum

forscan.org

I'd guess a dealer would charge $200 or so but, probably no guarantee since you did the work yourself. You can probably drive it to the dealer without any problems other than warnings in the IPC.

Attached are the service manual instructions. I'm sure you don't have to do it exactly as described but, it will give you an idea what's involved.

 

[BlindAssassin111]

I wouldn't say using FORScan is easy but, it is probably doable. As long as you understand the risks. You need a paid license and the v2.4.xx beta version. The new rack will be blank. You need to program the firmware (operating system) and the as-built data (operating characteristics). FORScan will download the firmware, if it is in their library. If it isn't available you'll have to get it yourself. The as-built data is available from https://www.motorcraftservice.com/AsBuilt . You can also use FORScan to read it from your current PSCM or FORScan may be able to download it. There is no need to understand the values.

I suggest you read thru this post on the FORScan forum.

How to update module firmware with FORScan - FORScan forum

forscan.org

I'd guess a dealer would charge $200 or so but, probably no guarantee since you did the work yourself. You can probably drive it to the dealer without any problems other than warnings in the IPC.

Attached are the service manual instructions. I'm sure you don't have to do it exactly as described but, it will give you an idea what's involved.

Is there an easy way to know if forscan has the firmware before committing to this? I have the as-built data already, so that isn't an issue.

 

[kryptto]

https://www.motorcraftservice.com/AsBuilt As TX stated - you can get it here. Then try and use Forscan - however backup the PSCM before you remove the rack.

 

[BlindAssassin111]

https://www.motorcraftservice.com/AsBuilt As TX stated - you can get it here. Then try and use Forscan - however backup the PSCM before you remove the rack.

Oh okay, so the firmware part is in as built not something you have to go searching for and randomly stumble upon.