More Problems With My Marauder...

[MarauderBZ]

I posted awhile ago about some front-end steering issues that happened and got repaired. Well the past 2 days, they've surfaced once again. Extremely tight steering at times for no real reason. I could barely steer the thing to park at a local mall yesterday. It went away once a turned off the car and re-started it, but its goind in for service anyway.
What's worse is I come out of the mall, and find the rear left side is sitting noticeably lower than the right, almost about 2 inches at best guess. It stays the same if the vehicle is running or not. No strange sounds going over bumps or anything, and the car handles just fine when the steering is in order. Still waiting to hear back from my dealer on the issues at hand.
So, Anyone else out there have any similar problems??
Thanks All!
Oh, and BTW: I've put about 1100 miles on it since the last repair of the front steering problem.

[merc406]

May have air in the system, also check fluid level.

[frdwrnch]

What did they do the last time? Was it effective? Is this the same symptom?

[vegasmarauder]

No power assist is no fluid pressure from the pump, or no pressure getting to the steering rack. If the electric orifice valve or module quits, you get full power assist, so I would guess they didn't flush out the rest of the system good enough and more metal chips have plugged the valve. I Think you said last time they replaced the pump and rack so odds of another part failure like that are slim. EVO steering systems just won't tolerate metal chips floating around...

[frdwrnch]

You are probably on the right track. This sounds like a mechanical failure, or a hydraulic restriction,as an electronic failure would not have as much of a profound effect. A hydraulic test on the system would probably reveal this but techs don't like to hook up the equipment as it takes about 20 minutes.There are no known concerns on this and I would like to know the resolution.

[SergntMac]

I wish I knew more about this, but I don't...Sorry.

At our last dyno tune, Jerry mentioned something to me about adjusting the PS values in the PCM, that had an effect on a condition that causes the MM to suddenly die out, two of which are 1) being stuck in heavy traffic on a hot day, or, 1) extreme turns at slow/idle speeds. I experienced both and he made them go away, and by adjusting something computer controlled with the PS. ???

I do wish I knew more, but may this could be a hint for some exploring through the TSB data base?

His fix did work, and I can't point to any difference with the PS after the fix. Just thought I'd throw it up here for debate...

There seems to be a lot more on this car that is controlled by the PCM than we think. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that there is an adjustment here...

[MarauderBZ]

Hi guys, Heard back Friday that they need to replace the power steering system and a "module" again. He couldn't tell me what module though. It is supposed to be ready for pickup Monday around noon, and hopefully I'll know more then. They've been great so far and also said they couldn't find anything mechanically wrong with the rear end either, the guy that checked it said everything came out within spec. Hopefully this won't be a recurring problem. He did say the module that went bad was a computer control unit of sorts however he was pretty sure it wouldn't have any bearing on the back end.

[cyclone03]

Make sure they change the PS cooler too.Else you'll be back again in a few weeks.

[MarauderBZ]

Well, the car isn't done yet. They replaced the rack and pinion again, the power steering pump, etc. Replaced a "module" as I mentioned earlier. Called today to see what's up and the head tech explained they found something else wrong with the car and it may take another few days to get it back up and running. He said I can stop in and he'll run through everything with me on the scene. Well, I'm going down today and see what's going on. At this rate I've become totally disenthused about owning this thing. Seems I need to get a new front end every 1100 miles. Can't wait to see what happens next.

[bchapman]

Have you had them check the springs? There were problems with bad coil springs on some 2003 CV's and Grand Marquis:
http://www.blueovalnews.com/2003/cars/cv.frontsprings.080703.htm

[MarauderBZ]

Well, after everything, I picked the 'ol Marauder up early yesterday morning. Spoke with the head of the service dept who explained in great detail what happened. They did wind up replacing the rear springs and everything is in order there. As for the front end, they did find a bad module, one that is a flow control of sorts I believe. (don't have the paperwork in front of me right now). Much to my chagrin I was told that they had put in a rack assembly for a standard GM last time I went in for service. Apparently this was the cause for my troubles now. From what I was told, the Marauder has a specific rack assembly for it. Well, to be safe, they replaced the whole power steering setup, pump and all again. I drove around a good bit today and the steering is as good as ever, better than when it was new actually. The service guy told me I probably had just gotten a bad rack assembly when I got the car, but there was no excuse for the mix-up and installation of the wrong parts. So, everything turned out for the better! Thanks for the input all!!! :)

[bryanknie]

Hey I took mine in for an oil change yesterday and they mixed that up gave me 5w 30. When I showed them what the did, they changed the oil and filter again.

[marchyde]

When I purchased my MM I knew that it had been sitting on the lot for a long time. Out of the 5 weeks that I have owened it, only 2 weeks have I had it. The dealer is not up to speed on the MM but it is getting lots of practice on mine. They have replaced most of the fluids, drivers power window unit, adjusted the trany, painted the hood and reprogramed the computer several times. They are good to me, providing me with a rental until its ready. Thanks to all of the information available on this site, I do not feel alone.

[RCSignals]

Originally posted by bchapman
Have you had them check the springs? There were problems with bad coil springs on some 2003 CV's and Grand Marquis:
http://www.blueovalnews.com/2003/cars/cv.frontsprings.080703.htm

I don't think affects Marauders or CVPIs. Different springs

[03MERCMARAUDER]

I have noticed the same porblem with the rear of my Marauder. one side sits higher than the other. its going to the dealer wed for a bumch of little gripes. Do we get a loaner car since we are marauder owners?

[Bigdogjim]

Originally posted by 03MERCMARAUDER
I have noticed the same porblem with the rear of my Marauder. one side sits higher than the other. its going to the dealer wed for a bumch of little gripes. Do we get a loaner car since we are marauder owners?

most dealers will give you a loner car. As far as I know it is up to each dealer. I have not heard of one who will not.

[jgc61sr2002]

MarauderBZ - You stated" the dealer changed the rear springs"? Marauders do not have rear springs they have an air suspension system.

[Johnman]

Ive noticed the rear of my car seems to sag to the left, too, so I measured it. The left rear is about 3/4 of an inch lower over the rear wheels. The fronts are even.So the dealer will fix this under warranty?

[jgc61sr2002]

Originally posted by Johnman
Ive noticed the rear of my car seems to sag to the left, too, so I measured it. The left rear is about 3/4 of an inch lower over the rear wheels. The fronts are even.So the dealer will fix this under warranty? It is probably an adjustment of the air suspension system. Definately a warranty fix.

[MarauderBZ]

Dealer told me they relaced the rear suspension, I assumed he was talking about springs. On my work order sheet it just has "diagnosis and replace rear susp." I assumed there were springs. Is there any way to adjust the rear air suspension without taking the vehicle to a dealer?

[carfixer]

The rear air springs work as a pair, not independantly. There is only one sensor for the rear so you can't adjust one side at a time. If ride height is not level in the rear, either you have a solenoid on the air spring that isn't working or you have a front spring that is weak. Weak front spring is usually the cause.
To adjust rear ride height, crawl under and loosen the nut that holds the sensor to the rear link. Slide the sensor up or down the the slot to adjust and tighten the nut. Drive car and recheck. It will probably take a few tries before you get it exactly where you want it.