Power Steering Rack OEM or Aftermarket?

[AndrewR4]

I have a 2015 PP that I just got in early September ~ 95k miles. I just finished replacing all my timing components, the water pump, and oil pump after one overheating due to the failed water pump. The timing job seems to be holding up well aside from some spark plug tube seals I already replaced after they blew but 16 hours later I came back to a failed power steering system.

I put Forscan on it and it gave no codes for the power steering which I believe means its fully cooked so that the computer cant even see the power steering system. I just removed the old rack and it seems like it is already a remanufactured one in there because I cant find the part number anywhere online but on the Simo repair website. I need to order a new rack soon so I can get it finished next weekend does anyone have experience with the Atlantic Automotive Engineering remanufactured rack on rock auto? I am already well beyond what I intended to spend on the car for getting it roadworthy and my thinking is if there is already a remanufactured rack in there can the OEM ones be worth it if that must have burnt out as well?

Any knowledge about AAE or recommendations for OEM or alternative remanufactured rack would be appreciated.

 

[kryptto]

So some thoughts.... From 2010-2013 the rack had a recall... If the previous owner say had an issue with the steering and well for cheap they had it replaced... Could be a recall unit... Thinking out loud since that rack would fit.

AAE used as a house brand for Advance and AutoZone. Remanufactured parts have varied life and experiences....

What's the warranty... Some OEM retailers will require a longer warranty period and trade off the price to the buyer, 3 year or lifetime is a good pick over the same house brand at Auto zone is a 1 year.

OEM NEW and not some unknown from a Junkyard. A better idea. Since you dumped all that cash making last another 100k.... OEM. Gonna sell her in 5k miles... Aftermarket

So my advice is to have it professionally reprogrammed regardless of what AAE says... Ford specifies a required reprogramming, if not matched properly you can have an accident. Tread at your own risk

 

[AndrewR4]

So some thoughts.... From 2010-2013 the rack had a recall... If the previous owner say had an issue with the steering and well for cheap they had it replaced... Could be a recall unit... Thinking out loud since that rack would fit.

AAE used as a house brand for Advance and AutoZone. Remanufactured parts have varied life and experiences....

What's the warranty... Some OEM retailers will require a longer warranty period and trade off the price to the buyer, 3 year or lifetime is a good pick over the same house brand at Auto zone is a 1 year.

OEM NEW and not some unknown from a Junkyard. A better idea. Since you dumped all that cash making last another 100k.... OEM. Gonna sell her in 5k miles... Aftermarket

So my advice is to have it professionally reprogrammed regardless of what AAE says... Ford specifies a required reprogramming, if not matched properly you can have an accident. Tread at your own risk

Appreciate the advice. The warranties I saw for OEM and the AAE were the same, 2 years any mileage, so I am going to go with the cheaper one for now. I wont mind replacing it with a better one down the line if this one goes but I'd appreciate the savings more now so I can be in decent shape incase something else needs attention in the next month or two.

 

[kryptto]

perfect choice...

 

[AndrewR4]

Follow up here, the new rack is in and I do now have power steering, however Forscan still seems to be unable to see the new rack even though it is plugged in and functioning. Anyone familiar with this issue?

After two months of weekends working on her I'm just glad to have her back to life but I'd sure like to get the proper programing in and see what the calibrated steering is meant to be like.

 

[Texas Marauder]

Is it a Ford rack or Dorman or other?

Are you using a saved profile or a new scan in FORScan?

 

[AndrewR4]

Is it a Ford rack or Dorman or other?

Are you using a saved profile or a new scan in FORScan?

AAE remanufactured rack so ford but rebuilt (see rock auto link below). I tried both a new scan and saved profile, I just recently got Forscan for this job. I intended to download the configuration from the old rack as a backup but that one didn't show up in the scan. I assumed that one was just so dead the computer couldn't read it but now that it cant find the functioning new one I reckon I must be missing something.

More Information for AAE ER1002

 

[Texas Marauder]

Using FORScan for Windows? What adapter are you using?

If you have the paid extended license you may need the beta version 2.4.19.

Go to the FORScan forum and post your question there. The beta version is also available there.

FORScan forum - Index page

 

[AndrewR4]

Using FORScan for Windows? What adapter are you using?

If you have the paid extended license you may need the beta version 2.4.19.

Go to the FORScan forum and post your question there. The beta version is also available there.

FORScan forum - Index page

I know its windows and I tried 2 different adaptors I know one was the ODB LinkEX from their website. I will have to double check my version next time I'm with that laptop. I'll try it with some different versions and try the Forscan forum if that doesn't pay dividends. Thank you.

 

[Texas Marauder]

I'm going to assume you know the power steering is PSCM. Are there any codes in other modules? Specifically, relating to the PSCM.

 

[AndrewR4]

I know there was a GPS code, seat module, and the temperature blend actuator on the passenger side but nothing notable or related to the PSCM. PSCM didn't even show up in the module list is what seemed so odd to me.

 

[Texas Marauder]

There are 2 types of programming for Ford modules. First there is calibration (FORScan calls it firmware) and then As-Built data. A new module from Ford will have neither and need to be programmed. The aftermarket PSCM may be blank as well. Simply put, calibration makes it work properly and As-Built customizes it. I believe the new rack you have is not programmed at all. That is why FORScan cannot see it. If the saved profile had seen the old PSCM then you would be able to see the new one and program the firmware and then the As-Built data. Only the beta version of FORScan can program firmware.

I believe you will have to get a Ford dealer or a shop with FJDS to program the PSCM. FJDS is the Ford program for aftermarket J2534 programming.

 

[AndrewR4]

Appreciate the advice, I will follow up here when I get things settled. Going to need to call around and get some prices on that before I move forward.

 

[AndrewR4]

I did get it programed at the dealer for a decent price and its working well now. Just drove it from Philadelphia to Miami and back over Thanksgiving week.

 

[marshallma0504]

I replaced rack w a OEM one recently and to anyone who needs to have theirs done, go with motorcraft either new or reman. Junkyard/ebay or amazon no name brands aren’t worth throwing money into a shredder. You need to have a new rack programmed (preferably with IDS) and a steering wheel angle sensor reset to prevent future communication errors even if the rack is new. It’s not cheap but you’ll spend more on a bad rack if you don’t just bite the bullet and go with OEM. Also these racks are specially calibrated and sealed at the factory so if someone tries telling you “replace the motor/brain and bearings and put it back together,” you will f-up the torque sensor alignment in the input shaft and it won’t ever be able to work properly once that calibration/sensor alignment is gone. Ask me how I know lol. When it comes to these electric racks, there’s a reason it’s sold as a complete assembly.