Steering rack conversion?

[BR36]

Hi all, bit of a wildcard question. Sons 2008 1.25 Zetec has a leak from one of the hoses which goes into the steering rack. O ring has been changed but still leaking. Local garage says corrosion on the hoses is common on these (?) so they’d need replacing. Rack also has play in it anyway so needs replacing.

He can’t afford a new one and he can’t find a used one which comes with hoses still attached.

Someone suggested swapping the hydraulic rack for an electric one from a Mk7, is that even possible and what mods would be required if it was?

 

 

[karl46]

Get the rack reconditioned, get the hoses reconditioned or replaced. 

[isetta]

I am fairly certain of this but not 100%. The mk7 RACK has no power steering. the power steering is electric but it is on the steering COLUMN (not the rack) and is up under the dashboard just below the steering lock. I have no idea if conversion could be done but it sounds like a lot of work if it could be done at all, but I doubt if the rack mounting bolts would even be in the same place

[Eric Bloodaxe]

If I remember right, the Mk 7 was among the first cars to employ epas - there was much trepidation at the time and worries about burning out the motor on full lock etc. As @isettasays, the motor is on the column not the rack so you would need a rack, column and associated electrics if it were possible at all.

@karl46's suggestion of a reconditioned rack would seem the way to go. 

Edit PS I seem to remember a similar query on Honest John way back. I think In that case the guy sourced the rack himself and got a local garage to fit it. Unfortunately the re-con  rack was found to have a leak after fitting so had to be replaced again - the reconditioner supplied another rack but wouldn't cover the second fitting cost. HJ suggested he should have let the garage source the part, then it would have been their problem.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[BR36]

Sounds like a hassle even if it was possible😕. Any recommendations for where it could be reconditioned?

[Eric Bloodaxe]

In 50 years I've never had to replace a steering rack so can't give a recommendation from experience. These days I'd be inclined to get the garage to do the job and let them take the responsibility for sourcing the correct parts, as HJ suggests, appreciate that budget is tight however (plenty of experience of that!).

I guess I'd look in the direction of local motor factors or Euro Car Parts who have various options from around £180 upwards (plus refundable surcharge of about £120). Or trawl the web for specialists and see what they could offer.

PS - Just been searching eBay this morning for various bits and pieces and there seem to be several used Fiesta racks on there.

 

[BR36]

Thanks for all your replies. He’s actually found a used one which appears to be in good condition and leak free with the hoses which are causing the problem on his old one looking ok (hope it stays that way). Now to see if it’s possible to swap without removing/lowering the sub-frame. 

[BR36]

Well, finally bit the bullet and swapped the rack today, not such a bad job even having decided to lower the subframe which in itself was really straight forward. 

Only problem we had was the main steel pipe into the rack was fully corroded in and just couldn’t be budged. Ended up getting a flexible coupling made up at the local hydraulics supplier to join the old to the new and it worked a treat. 

About 5hrs including going off to get the hose made up and initially  having to go out and buy a new jack (mine decided to start leaking and wouldn’t lift just as we started) 

 

[karl46]

Well done, more experience under your belt.