PS rack problem

[JonVH]

My '93s power steering has always been a little spotty, works well then hardly at all then fine all in the one 90 degree turn. I lived with it fine so far, but now it's vibrating rather loudly & you can really feel it (again intermetintaly in a 90 degree turn). Does this mean the rack is going or is it a pump, fluid or a sensor problem?
Is the rack/pump the same for any Taurus or is it unique to the SHO? Also is it a speed variable assisted unit?
Thanks in advance.

 

[MilTownSHO]

The power steering rack apparantly blew on me last tuesday. Well the new rack from ford for me was 215 bucks since I work at a ford dealership so you better hope thats not it. I got a used rack for 75 bucks from a junk yard though. The rack from a SHO and a regular taurus are different in the length I believe. I am for sure they are not the same anyway. I do also believe that they are speed variable assisted. I would get whatever it is checked soon because if the rack breaks your stranded and its no fun to be out of a car... especially an SHO...I get mine back tommorow I cant wait...o and labor if its the rack is 5.5 hours plus alignment...which isnt cheap either...i got it fixed for 200 though luckily....good luck

<small>[ February 24, 2002, 11:19 PM: Message edited by: MilTownSHO ]</small>

 

[sdpatt]

I am not sure what year that the VPS started being fitted to the SHO, but I know you can get a rebuilt rack relatively cheap through O'Reilly Auto Parts or Auto Zone. Check around with your local stores for the A1 Cardone rebuilts. I recently installed a rack for my 1991 that cost me only $79.99. I installed it myself, but would gladly pay someone $150 to do it for me. The rack in the SHO is SHO-specific.

 

[JonVH]

Thanks for the input guys.