Hi, forum - I am looking at replacing my power steering rack on my '89 3.0 Extended EB Aerostar. After reading about some of the poor replacement racks that have been used, does anyone have a recommendation of which brand to use? Has anyone heard of Detroit Axle or Axle of Dearborn; they have an EBay store, selling these racks. Thanks for any help.

Cheers, Mike

 

Mikeinganges,

While I cannot comment on the quality of the steering rack brands that you mentioned in your post, I usually just end up buying OEM steering racks for my customers' Aerostars. I don't recall what brand manufacturers the OEM part but I've never had any issues regarding fit or durability

 

While it wasn't for an Aerostar, I had to buy a complete rack for one of my vehicles about 6 months ago. I bought it at a local FLAPS (friendly local auto parts store) and installed it a few days later.
I will not tell you what brand to buy, but it is my recommendation to buy local on an item like this because:
1. If you have any problems, you have a genuine face that you can go back to talk to, unlike an internet site that mysteriously doesn't have a phone or won't answer emails.
2. You don't have to worry about the core getting damaged on the way back to the rebuilder.
My attitude about where I purchase something like this may have changed when the rack I purchased was missing some parts and neither the parts man or myself saw it when I left the store. It took several phone calls and a few "in person" visits to get this resolved. I would shudder to think how I could have resolved this with a company many miles away from me. True, I could have called my CC company, but it would have been their word verses mine.
One more thing. Don't go by just the purchase price on this item. Go buy purchase price PLUS shipping and make sure to check the shipping charges on the core that has to be sent back.
Good luck.

 

I've been through a series of Cardone rebuilt racks over the years. I think I'm on my fifth one. Each previous one would last around 36-48 months before leaking again. For this last one, I took someone's advice here and installed an inline filter and covered the PS pump OEM cap with half a beer can (to keep water out). This rack is now going on five years without a problem. I never did figure out why the high failure rate, as the associated components (PS pump, lines, etc) were also replaced, thinking something was contibuting to the problem. After two failures with the new components, the filter & cover were a last ditch effort.

 

Hi, forum - thanks for the replies. I appreciate all of the above - very good advise. It always seemed to me that Cardone rebuilds have a high failure rate, and that's what I'm trying to avoid. Parts are very expensive here (1.5 to 3 times the cost in US) on Coastal BC, Canada, so I purchase a lot via internet and USPS delivery; even with taxes, import duties, brokerage fees, shipping, I usually still get 25%-50% off or more than going to my local area suppliers. A rack that costs around $100 in the US, is going be around $200-300 in Canada.

But, getting a more integral, working part like this, does require more attention and diligence, to make sure everything is OK. It definitely would be best to buy local, to deal with any complications. I would really like to get OEM, but Ford in Canada doesn't have much left for my old '89. Three weeks ago, I got the last OEM steering pump (for my Aero) left in the country, and 90% of my requests, they can't fill. So, off to the aftermarket brands I go.

I was just wondering if anyone had opinions/experiences to share of different brands/suppliers of steering racks, ie. AC Delco, ATSCO, etc., so I could consider my options (Rock Auto, Ebay, etc.).

Thanks again for any input, Mike

 

Why not toss a couple of cases of some good Canadian beer in the van and go visit a buddy in Washington for a week end. You can have the new rack shipped directly to your friend's place and then pop it in.

That way you have no duty, VAT or other cross boarder tax gouge.

If you have no buddy south of the boarder, then just take a little camping trip. I am sure you can find a place where you can pop in the new rack.

 

I have the same problem: changed steering rack in 2009 and 10 000 km after it's leaking again!!!!!; I was so happy to found solution for tires and rims last week, and now my Aero is overloading the "Women Acceptance Factor" in the house.
I have no info about the brand as I bought it from an US parts importer here in France. It's possible here to buy in a french internet store but they cost near 300€+100 for the core, without shipping. I don't ask to the local Ford dealer where US parts price is the same as if they were built in gold plated titanium.

 

After a few racks cardone and the like i can only recommend a Ford dealer reman rack. It appears that they are better with fords 12000 mile guarantee. I have over 60k on my reman with no leaks. The rack on mine came with new outer tie rod ends.

 

While we probably all agree with you, I'm curious if Ford still makes a reman unit for the Aerostar. Maybe they still do, but I know the storyline MY dealer would tell me. I know that Ford has a nasty habit of obsoleting parts a lot quicker than (IMO) they should.
NumberDummy to the rescue here??

 

Hi, Kruse - Rockauto has an OEM Motorcraft reman unit (Power Steering), P/N STG26RM, for Aerostars from '86 to '97. That P/N worked when I went to the stealership. In Canada, they want $325 CAD + $100 core charge at my closest Ford dealor. Rockauto wants a lot less. I've noticed that most manufacturers obsolete parts majorly around the 20 year old mark for their vehicles.

Cheers, Mike

 

Dave,

That's exactly my experience. one needs to flush out the pump, install an inline filter and possibly install a decent cooler to make these things last. Before I did all that, the new (rebuilt) rack would fail repeatedly.

 

you da' man copper wid' the write sic. answers,

full synthetic Mercon such as Mobil 1 ATF or Amsoil also helps, the high heat and high pressures breaks down the normal and cheap stuff too quickly.
change ever 25k to 50k miles depends on amount of city driving with parking. i pull return line and let it drain out. pour some more in and pump thru until clean and flushed out.
qt or 2 does the trick. same rack and pump for 190k miles, quiet as a church mouse with his tail smashed.
old soup can over the pump reservior fill cap keeps the water out.

so the wifey let you on the computer tonite copper? nice

 

Shhhhhhhhhh. Don't wake her up!!!!!!!