2001 Escort ZX2 Steering Problems.

[jlsparky7]

2001 ZX2 Escort 135,000 miles. Problem is that the car turns much harder to the right than it does to the left, if that makes any sense. To explain it a little better if your in the middle lane of a 3 lane highway and you turn the steering wheel an inch to the left you will slowly change lanes to the left. If you turn the steering wheel an inch to the right you will be bajaing in the grass beyond the shoulder on the right.

The car had a power steering leak but it hasnt been leaking lately. It was not repaired it just stopped leaking as far as I know.

I bought new ball joints and tierod ends (they need to be replaced anyway) but wasnt sure if this would fix the problem. I was told it could be the steering rack. (Anyone know how hard that is to replace?). It also could be a bubble in the power steering system? Or a power steering rack mount maybe?

I will be looking further into it tomorrow.

Any troubleshooting help would be awesome.

Thanks,
Kevin

 

[millerman23]

Did it stop leaking because it ran out of fluid????? The power steering pumps are junk in them things. start by replacing that.

 

[jlsparky7]

No, fluid is full. Sorry I forgot to mention that. Doesnt the pump whine if its bad?

 

[jlsparky7]

Update: When I grab the wheel at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock and shake it there is a little play, half an inch or so. Both wheels are like that but one is worse than the other. Does that sound like tie rod ends or the rack?

 

[jlsparky7]

So I took both front wheels off today and turns out the drivers side was replaced and the pass. side was not. The pass side is loose and I will be replacing both tie rods and both ball joints tomorrow. So i figured out the steering problem. However....

Where the inner tie rod goes into the rack and pinion there is a leak. Does anyone know the name of that seal or how hard it is to replace?

 

[SVO]

Where the inner tie rod goes into the rack and pinion there is a leak. Does anyone know the name of that seal or how hard it is to replace?

That IS the rack, don't bother, just replace the rack.









Jeff - :navajo:

 

[jlsparky7]

Alright, thanks. Any idea how had it is to get the tie rods out of the rack?