Steering Advice Needed

[FShearer]

I just purchased a 95 ATX w/ 140k that has a jerkiness in the steering. Also, my power steering fluid is black. The previous owner told me his mechanic told him it needed a new ps pump because it's leaking. Would this cause the fluid to be black? After reading some of the threads here looks like I may be due for a rack and pump. I have not been able to locate a step by step on removing the rack and pump. Any help/advise would be appreciated.

 

[adidas_kn]

Might just need to empty the P/S system and refill and the jerkyness is usually a VAPS motor going wacky in your steering rack.

There are 2 large nuts on the underside of your subframe holding your rack in and a 10mm bot holding the steering shaft to the rack. This has a rubber boot over it and can be accessed in the drivers side foot well behind the pedels. You will also need to unplug the VAPS plugs on the steering shaft section of the rack. Now as for the rack hard lines I believe those are 15mm and can only be removed with a open end wrench. You will also have to diconnct your outter tire rods from the knuckles.Getting it out of the car might require lowering the subframe for clearance. The sway bar and brackets will also be in the way.

Good luck with it.

 

[FShearer]

Thanks, I think I am going to just replace the ps pump. Then before hooking up the return hose bleed the system until it turns clear. Hook it back up and hope for the best. Thanks again for the rack removal details, hopefully I will not have to use them.

 

[AREA 91]

I don't think the "jerking" wheel is your p/s pump. Do a fluid flush first, it's cheap. I believe the real problem is the rack.

 

[93rev2sev]

The rack is probably binding due to bad subframe bushings....but you will find that out when you go to do the pump..

 

[Ishodu]

I agree check those subframe bushings too.

 

[FShearer]

Still have the problem after new pump and flush. On to the rack and sub framebushings.

 

[FShearer]

Front and Rear Question

When refering to the front and rear subframe bushings what is considered the front and rear? Probably stupid question but I had to ask.

 

[Ishodu]

The front 2 sets ones are at the very front of the car. The rear 2 sets of bushings are at the rear of the sub frame under the driver and passengers feet.

 

[93rev2sev]

If you use the "correct" subframe bushings, front and rear will be different.

If you use the "right" subframe bushings, front and rear will both be 96-99(gen3) "rear" subframe bushings.

The Ford dealer calls them "Frame Isolators" So don't ask a parts guy for "subframe bushings".

 

[FShearer]

I am going to order the set from RCM so I guess front and rear don't matter. I am replacing them because my steering has that cornering **** (original post). Right now I am running it with the VAPS mod and its ok. I can see the passenger rear bushing is pretty bad. The other three look to be decent but worn. Do you think the worn sfbs could be causing the **** or should I be prepared to replace the rack next?

 

[93rev2sev]

yes, they can cause it.
If the subfame is tweaking, the rack will bind. I say this because I've replaced a rack and not the subframe bushings and the stiff off center feel was still there. Also, sometimes the steering would not return to center upon corner exit.

 

[FShearer]

If I just got done replacing the sub frame bushings with aluminum and the wheel stills jerks in the opposite direction when turning, is my rack bad? I am glad I did the sub frame upgrade, it makes a noticeable difference. I did find two of my original bushings had pretty much failed (RR and RF) and the sub frame was not aligned.