Rack and Pinion leaking

[dankwun]

So I started my MM yesterday and heard the dreaded power steering squeal that you get when the fluid is low. I checked the fluid and it was empty so I went and got some fluid. Filled it up last night and by 4pm today it was half empty. So I took it up to the shop and put it on the lift and it turns out my rack is leaking. So I came home and called all my local auto parts places with no luck(none of them seem to stock it). Can someone on here lead me to a good place to purchase a new rack and pinion for a decent price??

[Vortech347]

I did a search on Ebay with a few results. I know the MM's have a variable assist. If it is specific to our cars then you'll likely be dealing with the dealership. I believe there are a few guys on here that work at Ford Dealers that could get you a decent price. Just make sure whatever you get is infact for the Marauder.

[dankwun]

ok.. thanks for the advice. This is the reason i want to deal with a local parts store and not order one from an online store. I had bad luck last time when i ordered my radiator, it turned out that there was two different model radiators for 2003 MM's. And i ended up with the wrong one.

[dankwun]

I found this one http://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/2003/mercury/marauder/steering/steering_rack.html , but it doesn't say whether or not it has variable assist. But i fount the same part number on two websites that say its for a 2003 MM. Anyone have any advice for me? That one on partsgeek is the same as the first one on rockauto here.. http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carcode,1387829,parttype,738 8,a,www.google.com%2BSearch%2B for%2B2003%2BMERCURY%2BMARAUDE R%2B4.6L%2BV8,ck%5Bviewcurrenc y%5D,USD,ck%5Bidlist%5D,0,ck%5 BID%5D,0,ck%5BPHP_SESSION_ID%5 D,jkaiottss2uedl0v1nuq5lnqu2

[dankwun]

one more question.. is the variable assist power steering module attached to the rack? or can i take the one off the rack in my car that is bad and put it on the new rack i purchase? because none of the racks i am seeing online have that part on them or any place where that wire harness would plug into. its starting to confuse me just a little.

[vegasmarauder]

Just had to buy one..

The MM uses a unique rack due to the ratio of the gearing. Ford has re-manufactured units that list for $490. May be able to get it about $400-430 if the parts dept wants to be competitive. This is the complete unit with a new actuator installed, minus the outter tie rod ends (Not a bad time to get new ones it you have a lot of miles on the car).

Part # is: 3W1Z-3504-GARM (the RM suffix should mean re-manufactured). Also you need two new O-rings for the lines. Small one is part #N803256-S and the larger one is #N803257-S. These are really standard thin O-rings. No matter what anyone tells you, replace the O-rings or they will soon leak.

Buyer beware...The reman units sold by parts houses may or may not have the actuator installed. The actuator is a common spot for leaks by the way, along with the O-rings. Some parts houses are also listing the rack as fitting the MM but it is a standard CV/GM one. They will physically fit, but you get a different ratio in the gearing.

Also, make sure the rack is actually leaking. A lot of times, the O-rings and/or the actuator are the culprits. these can be serviced separate. Clean the area around the input shaft, actuator and pressure/return lines and look for a fresh leak there. If it's the input shaft, replace the rack, otherwise a it is lot cheaper to repair the two other leaks.

Quick notes on changing it. Block the steering wheel against the seat cushion with something (I use a large block of thick foam about a foot square) in the straight ahead position and don't allow it to more at all or you could damage the clock spring in the steering column. You can get the 10MM bolt out of the lower coupling from the top of the engine compartment and gently pry it off. Spread the opening on the coupling slightly and it will make re-install a lot easier. Measure the distance on each side from the center line of the mounting studs to the tabs on the outter tie rod knuckle and write it down. With the wheels straight ahead this usually is the same on both sides. This will help set the wheel alignment close enough to make the car driveable to the alignment shop. After removing the mounting bolts, remove the mounting studs as well, this will make the rack drop right out and back in. There is a 10MM bolt that holds the retainer on the pressure/return line hoses. The hoses then pull out of the rack. Lube the new O-rings and press the lines back in straight and re-install the retainer.

It's not that hard of a job. Just make sure you really need a whole new rack and not an actuator and/or O-rings.

[dankwun]

Thank you for all this useful info!! It seems to be the rack. I put it up on the lift and it looks to be leaking from the side on the driver side of the rack inside the boot.. Id there an o-ring on that side that could be replaced or should i go ahead and replace the rack? 400-500 bucks is sounding pretty steep for me right now.. =\

[dankwun]

I called my local dealership and they wast 483 for a reman rack and the guy said that it doesn't have the actuator installed on it.. And the ones i am looking at online have two diff part numbers for GM/CV racks and MM racks.. The GM/CV are A-1 cardone part number 22249 and the MM is A1-Cardone Part number 22270.. I wonder if they have the correct gearing in the 22270 one. But it still doesnt come with the EVO installed.. would have to swap the one off my bad rack.. idk what to do?!?!? Im thinking order the A-1 Cardone 22270 and pick up the O-rings From the dealership for the lines and the EVO. And Swap out the EVO. Im thinking if they have the same part number in the catalog for GM's and CV's and a different one for the MM and it says it only fits MM's then it should be the right part.. The word "should" is whats throwing me off here though.. :alone:

[Vortech347]

Damn, I'm hoping my rack doesn't have issues. That is expensive!

[BirchMarauder]

i've had 2 replaced under extended warranty. very expensive. like $1200-$1300 from the dealer with labor.

[vegasmarauder]

The dealership parts guy is incorrect. The dealer book listing does not say anything about the Actuator being on it, but when I had my parts guy open the box and check, it is installed. It is a complete assembly minus the outter ends. Unless your dealer is ordering an aftermarket one and trying to pass it off as a Ford unit to make extra $$ (big no-no with Ford), the actuator is with it.

That $1200 is about right for a retail cost unit and labor for install, fluids and alignment. Which is why I end up doing it myself...

If the Cardone one is a different part number, it's a fair bet is the correct MM unit, but I would replace the actuator so you have to add that cost in vs Ford unit.

[lifespeed]

This is good info. Our cars are getting pretty old. I guess we should feel lucky to be able to buy a reman Ford unit for the bargain basement price of $499 ;)

That said, I am hearing mostly about leaks. What about wear and play "in the rack". We all like tight, new steering. It isn't always just the tie rods wearing out, right?

I am getting ready to spring for a front end rebuild. Occasionally she dives for the ditch under hard braking. And other symptoms. Time for a new front end.

Should I consider replacing the steering rack? Kind of hard to ID the location of the play - inner tie rod vs steering rack.

[justbob]

I just replaced one on a members car s couple weeks ago. "my guy" at Ford sold it to me for $370 IIRC. Leaking on the right side, seepage at the small end of the boot, removed the big end and took a shower in fluid.


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[dankwun]

Okay. so i purchased the rack and pinion from partsgeek.com and just had my guy put it in. But when he went to take the EVA actuator off the old rack and pinion the nut that holds it on just broke into three pieces.:shake: ... So i went to ford today to order the actuator and the guy could not find a part number, we looked at the diagrams and they only show a part number for the whole rack and pinion assembly. Does anyone happen to know where i could buy just the actuator? or maybe have a part number that i could give the guy at ford?? You would def be a life saver! at this point its looking like im gonna have to pay my mechanic to swap out the new rack he put in with another new rack from ford and then try to get partsgeek.com to take back the rack i bought from them.. uhh.. this has turned into such a hassle.. PLEASE HELP ME!! :help:

[dankwun]

Does anyone know what the this part is called? Where i could get it? Or possibly a part number to give ford?? Please oh Please! I cant find any info about it and i have a new rack and pinion installed on my MM but cant find this part.. :confused:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a50/rollinx101/IMAG0733.jpg

[lifespeed]

Not to kick you when you're down, but sometimes (often) it is wise to pay the price and buy parts from Ford, especially when they are specific to our cars. You can mitigate some of the pricing pain by using a reasonable dealer, often online. I use www.silverstatefordparts.com (http://www.silverstatefordparts.com).

As you are finding out, Ford sometimes sells parts as an assembly. It sounds like the steering rack and actuator are one example. I noticed the watts link and the pivot that mount to the rear axle are another. I just bought Metco rear suspension, and noticed that I will have to re-use the Watts pivot, or buy an entire Ford Watts link to get a new pivot.

Sorry I don't have any solution for you, other than buy the Ford rack and return your parts-store rack.

[dankwun]

You may have not had a solution for me but you def helped me out with that link. Thanks! I guess im just gonna have to deal with it and go buy the one from ford and hope that partsgeek will take back the one i bought from them. Kinda already had it set in my mind that thats what i was gonna have to do, just figured i would try one last time to find any info on that part on here before i went to ford to order another rack. Looks like me trying to save a few hundred bucks is ending with me having to spend a couple more hundred bucks in labor and restocking/shipping fees. =\ oh well, you live and ya learn! thanks for helping it set into my mind that i just have to deal with it.