Steering Rack question???

[buechine]

I ordered a new steering rack for my car on Friday and I specifically asked the guy if the racks were the same for the SHO and the regualar Taurus, I just wanted to double check to make sure that they are the same? Anyone know? It will be in Monday and I don't want to pick it up unless its the right one!

 

[sdpatt]

From whom did you order it through and how much did they charge. I got an A1 Cardone 22-214 remanufactured rack for my 1991 from O'Reilly Auto Parts for what I consider to be a trivial $79.99. If you have one of the later, VAPS racks, it would be a little more. I just did the look up inthe AutoZone.com pages and found that the racks for the SHO and standard Taurus are not the same.

 

[buechine]

I ordered it through a local parts store who I deal with quite a bit through work. It is $120 Canadian same idea remanufactured etc. I'm going to double check tomorrow to see what kinds of different codes that are available for the racks. I thought that my car (93) had the variable speed steering rack but I'm not too sure. I thought that was part of the gen II differences as the steering is quite different than my 89 was. I actually preferred the 89's steering always a bit tighter. I'll find out exactly tomorrow and let you guys know just in case anyone else goes through this. The car only needed inner tie rods but I figured if I did them the rack would go a couple of weeks later. I don't know if you remember answering one of my questions about the hula movement but what felt like rear end movement all came from a slightly worn inner tie rod as it has been getting progressively worse over the past few weeks. Thanks Eric

 

[AutoXSHO]

Eric,

I think you made the right call. I had an inner tie rod end replaced at 110k to cure a clunk I was getting at full steering lock. Now the rack is groaning and I get a clunk from the other side. With the amount of labor to replace an inner TRE, you might as well replace the rack. The price is not that more anyway.

Looks like this'll be my next summer project. D'oh!

John

 

[AutoXSHO]

FYI, I just talked to the fine people at Advance Auto. There are no O'Reilly's stores around Cleveland that I know of.

For a VAPS equipped 3.0L or 3.2L SHO, an A1 Cardone rack is $149.99 plus a $150 core, part number 22-225.

Without VAPS the part number is 22-214, price $98.94, more than what Scott listed at his local place... $100 core.

I would assume if you don't want the VAPS you can get the cheaper rack - it should physically bolt up and work. I'm not sure how leaving the VAPS unplugged would work... has anyone tried this?

John V

 

[Smoke00]

I recently had my steering rack replaced in my 93 atx with vaps. I ordered directly through ford and payed only $150. My friend who has a 92 without vaps payed almost $300! We were wondering why the more sophisticated rack would cost so much less?

 

[JonVH]

What's the best way to determine for sure if you have VAPS & please don't tell me "it's easier to steer at low speed". Is there a sensor or code some where?
thanks.