mcerd1
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| posted on 2/3/09 at 01:44 PM |
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tin-top problems (focus - steering rack?)
I've had a knocking in the front of my focus for a wee while now - and I think I've found the source, the steering rack 
ford want £465 +VAT (+surcharge= £300+VAT) 
the local motorfactor wants £146 +VAT (+SC= £110+VAT)
but while I'm doing that I might as well do the pump (which has a little weep) and the pipe which is a bit rotten 
for the pump ford want £101 +VAT (+SC= 100+VAT), the motor factor wants £124 +VAT (+SC= 60 +VAT)
but the worst bit it the pipe from ford is £77+VAT
anywhere else I should check for a price ?
anyone got any of these bits spare?
(btw - its a 1998-2001 focus 1800cc petrol, zetec spec )
[Edited on 2/3/09 by mcerd1]
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Mr Whippy
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| posted on 2/3/09 at 01:46 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by mcerd1
ford want £465 +VAT (+surcharge= £300+VAT)
OMG 
you'd be far better taking your hydraulic hose to a real hydraulic fitting supplier and get one there. I've got replacement hoses for the
JCB for around £30 and those are proper industrial quality too
[Edited on 2/3/09 by Mr Whippy]
Fame is when your old car is plastered all over the internet
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vinny1275
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| posted on 2/3/09 at 01:56 PM |
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I changed the rack on swmbo's Rover 827 a few years ago - one of the worst jobs I've ever had to do... 7 hours under the car, and I was
still washing PAS fluid out of my hair about 3 days later.....
was the price from Ford just for the bit?
I found a specialist online who did them, was the best price I could find at the time. Was about 5 or 6 years ago tho...
Good luck!
Vince
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zetec
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| posted on 2/3/09 at 02:09 PM |
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It must be catching because at the weekend I thought I would try and sort the same problem on my Focus. I got a mate to move the steering wheel while
I felt the steering rack and I could feel a knocking. I was not 100% convinced so I put the car up on ramps and rechecked by giving the antiroll bar a
good pull. I could feel some movement and it looks as if the drop links (always going) have had it. When I checked them with the car jacked up there
was hardly any play, suspect the weight of the suspension hanging on them masked the issue. So I'm going to change them first, along with the
front struts (which must be passed their best after 162K miles) and see if that cures the problem. A lot cheaper than the rack. I think I might be
tempeted to get one from a breakers as there are plenty of low milage Focuses sitting about being broken.
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dinosaurjuice
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| posted on 2/3/09 at 02:12 PM |
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i do have a focus steering rack and pump spare...
but its the hydro-electric one from the 2004- focus
fairly sure the rack is different.
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mcerd1
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| posted on 2/3/09 at 02:35 PM |
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me and my dad had it on the ramp yesterday and we couldn't find anything wrong with the drop links, bushes, balljoints or trackrod ends
we did wonder if it was something to do with the valves inside the rack - but it shouldn't be that bad ? (if you turn the wheel with the engine
off you get a real knock - just like a totaly guttered track rod end)
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Mr Whippy
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| posted on 2/3/09 at 03:19 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by mcerd1
me and my dad had it on the ramp yesterday and we couldn't find anything wrong with the drop links, bushes, balljoints or trackrod ends
we did wonder if it was something to do with the valves inside the rack - but it shouldn't be that bad ? (if you turn the wheel with the engine
off you get a real knock - just like a totaly guttered track rod end)
shouldn't knock, have you checked the steering column joints and that none of the collapsible column sections have become loose, best to check
before going straight to the rack
Fame is when your old car is plastered all over the internet
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mcerd1
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| posted on 2/3/09 at 03:39 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Mr Whippy
shouldn't knock, have you checked the steering column joints and that none of the collapsible column sections have become loose, best to check
before going straight to the rack
that was one of the first things we checked
but I will double check everything before spending that kind of money - I'm not going to repeat the 'gearbox incident' on the last
car
[Edited on 2/3/09 by mcerd1]
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Meeerrrk
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| posted on 2/3/09 at 07:29 PM |
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sell it, get something else
For Sale : 2008 Aries/Stuart Taylor Motorsport Locoblade (954 Blade)
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zetec
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| posted on 4/3/09 at 11:32 PM |
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New struts and drop links and now nice and quiet! Bits of ebay (decent quality) £75.
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