Steering rack replacement

[Ksoder]

Hey guys, ive done motor mounts since my last post and im finishing up the mechanical side of things but I need to replace the steering rack next....


The power steering works perfect going left and not at all turning right (most of the time, sometimes it spontaneously works for a couple seconds then dies again)

Combine stiff steering in one direction with graphite grey power steering fluid, i think I need a new rack..

How hard is it to pull and replace? Id say I'm a solid 8.5/10 on how mechanically inclined I am so the job being a little bit harder but not impossible is okay, thanks!

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[luigisho]

You can do it with good instructions and alot of time for the first time tackling it. You have a Ford manual?

 

[Ksoder]

You can do it with good instructions and alot of time for the first time tackling it. You have a Ford manual?

No I do not, any specific one I should buy?

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[Ksoder]

Also I forgot to mention, as I'm driving a little hard for a bit of time, my engine starts smoking from the drivebelt side (not my drivebelt though) but it doesnt smell like burning motor oil, it almost smells sour and I was wondering if it could be related, thanks

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[luigisho]

I would get at the minimum the 1989 SHO specific manual. It was a small 2nd manual complimenting the larger Taurus manual. They share many things in the platform but separate engine and manual trans and other things were added to the second book.
Here is a set on ebay https://www.ebay.com/itm/1989-Ford-...a=0&pg=2386202&_trksid=p2386202.c100677.m4598

you can find many on ebay with wide ranging prices and sho manual seperate-- or paired with larger etc. They are not expensive and very handy if you work on your own car.

 

[Ksoder]

I would get at the minimum the 1989 SHO specific manual. It was a small 2nd manual complimenting the larger Taurus manual. They share many things in the platform but separate engine and manual trans and other things were added to the second book.
Here is a set on ebay https://www.ebay.com/itm/1989-Ford-...a=0&pg=2386202&_trksid=p2386202.c100677.m4598

you can find many on ebay with wide ranging prices and sho manual seperate-- or paired with larger etc. They are not expensive and very handy if you work on your own car.

Would an 89 manual work even though I have a 93 atx?

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[luigisho]

The engines are almost exactly the same. A few minor changes that you will rarely come across. The engine design is essentially the same except maybe EGR and another one or three small differences. The transmission info will not apply.

You can look around for a SHO specific 93-95 manual but I don't know if they are out there or abundant enough. I always had a manual car in GenI&II so I never really had to worry about it.

 

[sperold]

Your 93 ATX has a nice amount of room around the rack to get at the supply and return lines from underneath the car. Your new rack will have teflon washers that have to be streached over the threaded part of you old lines, and sit on a surface up from the threads on the threaded connector. Removing the lines destroys the old teflon washers. There will be instructions with the rack.
It will have the VAPS stepper motor bolted to the rack and that has to come off while the rack is still in the car.
Be careful as there is a check valve in the system (jiggle-valve) that has to be retained. That would be one reason to get the diagram for the 93 to 95 SHOs.

You do not need to disconnect the exhaust or lower the sub frame to replace the rack, if you remove the stepper motor.

Pulling the rack out and installing the new rack is a 2 man operation and a great amount of care needs to be exercised. The oil pressure sensor is close by and a variety of other semi-frail things are there too.
You have to rotate the rack a number of times to get around obstructions, but the hard one is the rack has to be rotated so the tower faces the front of the car to get it through the inner fender space. And that is following the rack having the tower facing the rear of the car to get by the transmission bump.

Try to leave the tie rod ends on the rack. Seems counter intuitive, but it can be done with a 2nd person in play.
These racks are made in places around the world and are not identical anymore. Measure the distance from a point on the old rack to each tire rod end. and install the tie rods exactly in the same position on the new rack.
You can no longer just count the turns on removal and duplicate on the new rack.

Do yourself a favour and remove the drivers seat. You will be surprised at how long it takes to get that rubber boot affair on the body, off and on. Likewise on the little shaft with the u-joints that connects the steering wheel to the rack. Only loosen and remove the minimum to get the u-joint off the rack tower. Do not take the small shaft all the way out, as it is grief to re-connect against the pressure of a spring in there.

Good luck and allow yourself lots of time; and use never-seize on all the bolts.

 

[tracy_s_1993_atx]

Ksoder,
Check your IM.

 

[shorage]

Hmmm......so i need to do this. My 89 is non-vaps and i plan on putting in a gen3 rack.

grrr

 

[sperold]

From the little that I know, I think you will need to buy the supply line for the 96 and up as the end is a different thread size.

The GenIII's do not have that stepper motor mounted on the rack.

 

[shorage]

ZF rack in my 89. I will be going this route for the hoses.
I will let everyone know how it feels when i get it done, this spring.

Earl's Performance AN to Metric Adapter Fittings 961955ERL
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/EAR-961955ERL
x 2

Fragola Performance Systems PTFE Hose Assemblies with Clear or Black Coverings 6026-1-2-24BL
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/FRA-60261224BL

 

[shorage]

Looks like they fit, nice and clean.
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Quick note: When i asked the manufacturer whether or not this would work i used the following as a reference for power steering applications and the pressure rating. i was told yes and 2400psi. The difference is it has steel fittings and not aluminum. Just throwing that out there.

I did email the manufacturer to confirm whether or not the black one with aluminum fittings will work. Awaiting response. Did not want anyone to go out and buy this right without full disclosure.

Fragola Performance Systems PTFE Hose Assemblies with No Covering 372024

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/fra-372024

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[shorage]

So i heard back. Either hose will work fine.

From manufacturer;
"Yes they will. They have a working pressure rating of 2500 PSI. The aluminum ends will work at 3000 psi."