Holy new Rack batman!
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
Holy new Rack batman!
Well I was whining about my van EATING power steering fluid so my dealership (which has conveniently offered a 30 day warranty on my vehicle which I bought on the 22nd of jan) decided to take a look. got it back the next day with the repair invoice. They replaced the entire steering system (but for some reason forgot to do an allignment???) So whole new rack. O.O how good are these things? like how long do they last? the van has 248K on it now. which is around 145,000 miles. They replaced for me the clutch, pilot bearing and most of the steering system. should I be good for a while? lol. Still having a shudder in third, fourth and fifth. Getting an oil change today, filters soon. but it feels more like something in the differential is slipping... Maybe it's worn out it's teeth or something? I dunno shifts are smooth now though. She's been doctored nicely.
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From: The Show Me State
Foxypaws,
Is this a Ford dealer?!? I'm very concerned that they didn't see fit to do an alignment after replacing the rack... I won't say you have to, but how can you tell you don't need an alignment unless you do an alignment?
I just replaced the rack in my '97 at 185K miles. It just kinda blew the seals one day... Mighta been due to confusion with what fluid goes in the PS system, old A*s use TYPE F, newer ones use MERCON, none of 'em use DEXRON or MERCON V. Bottom line, make sure they flushed your system AND put the "right stuff" in or you might lose another one.
As to longevity, that's honestly partly miles, partly equipment, and partly age. My last A*, a 3.0, is at 330K (we gave it to another family at 270K...) and its steering is still original. This one, a 4.0, is on its second set of tie rod ends and the new rack. Obviously the heavier engine makes a difference.
DadVan
Is this a Ford dealer?!? I'm very concerned that they didn't see fit to do an alignment after replacing the rack... I won't say you have to, but how can you tell you don't need an alignment unless you do an alignment?
I just replaced the rack in my '97 at 185K miles. It just kinda blew the seals one day... Mighta been due to confusion with what fluid goes in the PS system, old A*s use TYPE F, newer ones use MERCON, none of 'em use DEXRON or MERCON V. Bottom line, make sure they flushed your system AND put the "right stuff" in or you might lose another one.
As to longevity, that's honestly partly miles, partly equipment, and partly age. My last A*, a 3.0, is at 330K (we gave it to another family at 270K...) and its steering is still original. This one, a 4.0, is on its second set of tie rod ends and the new rack. Obviously the heavier engine makes a difference.
DadVan
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
No it's a local used car dealership. And I didnt' know there were different power steering fluids... I go to canadian tire and the bottles just say power steering fluid. *blink blink* it's not like motor oil with 5W30 or 10w30 or synthetic blend all those choices. It's just one generic power steering fluid thing.
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From: The Show Me State
FoxyPaws,
Yah, confusion reigns on the PS fluid issue. I actually have an owners' manual with a misprint calling for DEXRON in the PS system! That's a very, very BAD thing! Lots of folks go by the (beloved!) Haynes manual, which calls for TYPE F for all years. This is wrong FOR SURE on 1997 A*s, they call for MERCON. Frankly, this could be why a lot of Ford PS systems make noise and/or fail... I can tell you that the proper fluid makes a big difference in how the steering sounds AND works!
Bottom line, find out what your year calls for and ensure that's what's in it...
DadVan
Yah, confusion reigns on the PS fluid issue. I actually have an owners' manual with a misprint calling for DEXRON in the PS system! That's a very, very BAD thing! Lots of folks go by the (beloved!) Haynes manual, which calls for TYPE F for all years. This is wrong FOR SURE on 1997 A*s, they call for MERCON. Frankly, this could be why a lot of Ford PS systems make noise and/or fail... I can tell you that the proper fluid makes a big difference in how the steering sounds AND works!
Bottom line, find out what your year calls for and ensure that's what's in it...
DadVan
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
Then uh... why would it go in the power steering fluid system? wouldn't that be like Really Really REALLY awful for it?
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From: The Show Me State
Foxypaws,
Sometimes, no...
These fluids are often used for multiple puposes, with a great example being good ol' TYPE F AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID. Ford came up with TYPE F, specifying it for use in older transmissions AND power steering systems. The same thing has occurred with MERCON, DEXRON, etc, etc. All these fluids have characteristics that could make them useful for multiple purposes.
Bottom line (still), we have to make sure we use what the manufacturer says to use in each system for a given model and year. A good example of THAT is that Ford says to use MERCON in some of their 2003 E350 transmissions and MERCON V in other E350 transmissions.
And, it's up to us to get it right!
DadVan
Sometimes, no...
These fluids are often used for multiple puposes, with a great example being good ol' TYPE F AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID. Ford came up with TYPE F, specifying it for use in older transmissions AND power steering systems. The same thing has occurred with MERCON, DEXRON, etc, etc. All these fluids have characteristics that could make them useful for multiple purposes.
Bottom line (still), we have to make sure we use what the manufacturer says to use in each system for a given model and year. A good example of THAT is that Ford says to use MERCON in some of their 2003 E350 transmissions and MERCON V in other E350 transmissions.
And, it's up to us to get it right!
DadVan
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From: The Show Me State
koalamazed,
Yah, I honestly suspect that's a lot of Fords whine.
Try to have a helper before you attempt the following, their job is to either keep the pump full of the proper fluid or crank the engine... Here are the applicable instructions straight from the sheet that came with the rack & pinion I just replaced plus bonus comments from my recent experience... Disconnect the coil wire (this will keep the engine from starting while it is being turned over). Disconnect the return line from the power steering pump, place into a drain pan and cap the return port on the reservoir to prevent leakage. Make sure you've got the "loose end" stuck in a bucket or you'll end up with PS fluid splattered everywhere. KEEP THE PUMP FILLED TO THE PROPER LEVEL WITH THE PROPER FLUID AS YOU FLUSH THE SYSTEM. DON'T LET THE PUMP RUN DRY! Crank the engine and continue to replenish the fluid until the fluid coming from the return line is the proper color. Reconnect the return line to the power steering pump. Reconnect the coil wire.
Lemme know how it turns out!
DadVan
Yah, I honestly suspect that's a lot of Fords whine.
Try to have a helper before you attempt the following, their job is to either keep the pump full of the proper fluid or crank the engine... Here are the applicable instructions straight from the sheet that came with the rack & pinion I just replaced plus bonus comments from my recent experience... Disconnect the coil wire (this will keep the engine from starting while it is being turned over). Disconnect the return line from the power steering pump, place into a drain pan and cap the return port on the reservoir to prevent leakage. Make sure you've got the "loose end" stuck in a bucket or you'll end up with PS fluid splattered everywhere. KEEP THE PUMP FILLED TO THE PROPER LEVEL WITH THE PROPER FLUID AS YOU FLUSH THE SYSTEM. DON'T LET THE PUMP RUN DRY! Crank the engine and continue to replenish the fluid until the fluid coming from the return line is the proper color. Reconnect the return line to the power steering pump. Reconnect the coil wire.
Lemme know how it turns out!
DadVan
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From: CFB Petawawa Canada
There is no real difference. Ford Fluid has more detergent, than Dexron. Mercon has the highest. Mercon v is the syntheic tranie fluid, my wifes Explorer uses it in the tranie and PS.. I use mercon in the PS of my Aero with no problems. I have tryed every type of fluid and its all the same (NOISY). I'm switching to Mercon V for the trannie and PS this summer.
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From: The Show Me State
CdnSoldier,
I certainly respect your opinion, but would argue that there IS a "real difference". Choose any vendor (I like Pennzoil so let's pick on them), go to their website (www.pennzoil.com in this case...) and look at the spec sheets for the various fluids. There are marked differences between DEXRON and MERCON and TYPE F. Yah, I know they make a DEXRON/MERCON combo fluid, but the specs are different from the single use fluids, and I'd argue that they are different enough to make a difference.
I think I've used the word different enough for one night <grin>.
DadVan
I certainly respect your opinion, but would argue that there IS a "real difference". Choose any vendor (I like Pennzoil so let's pick on them), go to their website (www.pennzoil.com in this case...) and look at the spec sheets for the various fluids. There are marked differences between DEXRON and MERCON and TYPE F. Yah, I know they make a DEXRON/MERCON combo fluid, but the specs are different from the single use fluids, and I'd argue that they are different enough to make a difference.
I think I've used the word different enough for one night <grin>.
DadVan
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From: CFB Petawawa Canada
Thanks
No problem, we all have our own opinion. It is just I have replaced my PS in my van and it had a card to use Mercon or PS fluid not Ford fluid. I phoned the dealer, the parts guy told me that all new ones use Mercon now. I have used both and a few additives (Lucus, STP, Boyds) all sound the same, but Mercon gave a better PS.
Also I have raced two Mustangs a 66 FB 289H standard and 73 Mustang 427,C6 trannie. The fella who built the 73 trannie for me, told me to use Dexron and not Ford. He worked for ford at one time. He said Ford fluid was lighter, helped to keep the trannie cool, but gave poor shifts. Dexron cleaned better, and gave better shifts.
I'm going to try Meron V this summer. It synth. and my work better.
Later
No problem, we all have our own opinion. It is just I have replaced my PS in my van and it had a card to use Mercon or PS fluid not Ford fluid. I phoned the dealer, the parts guy told me that all new ones use Mercon now. I have used both and a few additives (Lucus, STP, Boyds) all sound the same, but Mercon gave a better PS.
Also I have raced two Mustangs a 66 FB 289H standard and 73 Mustang 427,C6 trannie. The fella who built the 73 trannie for me, told me to use Dexron and not Ford. He worked for ford at one time. He said Ford fluid was lighter, helped to keep the trannie cool, but gave poor shifts. Dexron cleaned better, and gave better shifts.
I'm going to try Meron V this summer. It synth. and my work better.
Later