Steering rack change - do I need it programmed?

[geraintthomas]

FYI, this is for another used steering rack, not a new one.

I have a 2012 Focus 1.6 TDCi Titanium with a suspected bad steering rack. The car has most options such as adaptive cruise control, lane assist, stop/start, and so on (if that helps). 

I've noticed that the steering is now making a scraping noise, to which I've just confirmed through multiple sources that it's the steering rack that needs replacing. There aren't any errors, but the sound is consistent with rack failure.

Here's a video of the sound:

 

My question is this: do I need to get a replacement used steering rack re-programmed to the car? And if not, do the part numbers need to be identical (as there are variants)?

I've found so many mixed opinions online. Some people say you need to get them programmed (including someone from Ford), others say they've never had issues replacing them, others say that they've had an error and had to get them programmed by a specialist, and there's even an eBay seller selling reconditioned racks that are 'pre-programmed', which confuses the situation even more.

My (vague) guess is that new steering racks need to be programmed, but used one's don't? If I were to replace the rack with a used one, do I need to match the part number (there's slight differences in steering rack part numbers)? I'm wondering if that's why some people have issues with programming for not matching the part number?

Sorry for the long post, but any help would be great as it's the difference between me doing it myself on my driveway, a garage doing it, or simply by selling the car as Ford have quoted extortionate prices. If I need to match the part number before hand, I'd need to do the work myself as I can't expect a garage to keep a car on their ramps with no subframe indefinitely whilst waiting for the correct part to pop up on eBay. If I can get any used rack, then I can order any one in advanced and give it to them to do the job.

Help!

Many thanks,
Geraint

[JW1982]

The PSCM (Power Steering Control module) of the EPAS system which is integrated into the steering rack contains a hexadecimal AS-BUILT configuration. This configuration includes all configuration settings of the PSCM.

If the configuration of the replacement PSCM does not match the original one you will loose functionality (for example Active Park Assist, lane assist, etc.).

Most engine types have a different steering rack because the steering force is also based on the weight of the engine. Apart from this there is also difference between a steering rack with and without steering rack limiters. On a steering rack with steering rack limiters (18 inch or bigger wheels) the limitation can not be removed. These are reasons why you need the correct part number. Only the last character of the suffix can be different

[geraintthomas]

22 minutes ago, JW1982 said:

The PSCM (Power Steering Control module) of the EPAS system which is integrated into the steering rack contains a hexadecimal AS-BUILT configuration. This configuration includes all configuration settings of the PSCM.

If the configuration of the replacement PSCM does not match the original one you will loose functionality (for example Active Park Assist, lane assist, etc.).

Most engine types have a different steering rack because the steering force is also based on the weight of the engine. Apart from this there is also difference between a steering rack with and without steering rack limiters. On a steering rack with steering rack limiters (18 inch or bigger wheels) the limitation can not be removed. These are reasons why you need the correct part number. Only the last character of the suffix can be different

I see... that sounds like quite a task finding the correct one then. Based on your initial comment, I'm guessing that simply finding one with the same part number won't be enough due to differences in assists? Or would obtaining one with the same part number ensure the same functionality?

Lastly, if I do need to get the rack re-programmed, would Ford do this? Or a specialist?

Thanks so much for the help, much appreciated. 

[geraintthomas]

Update on the steering rack:

I've confirmed that Ford won't programme a used rack that I fit myself (or an independent garage), so that's out of the question. I can see why, they can't take liability on a part that's unknown to them, so they'll only supply and fit a new one. They're asking almost £1,000 for the part alone, so Ford undertaking the repair is a no go.

At this point I thought I was completely buggered, until I came across a company (one of several) that sell re-conditioned units for £450. I called them and they explained that I give them my car registration and they'll program the unit before sending it out, creating a plug-and-play solution. My local garage have also told me it's around £85 for labour to fit, which is great. The whole job is around £535 for a garage to do the work. I could save £85 and do it myself, but it's such a fiddly job on a driveway that for the amount I'm spending, an extra £85 isn't going to be much more for someone to do the work for me.

I thought £450 for a programmed like-new re-conditioned steering rack was a great price, considering they're £100-200 used and £1,000 new. I'll have to wait a month or two before I get the car back off the in-laws, at which point I'll order the rack. It's drivable and the garage even said I could live with it, but there's no way I could... it would drive me nuts!

Thanks for the help though. Hopefully this gives anyone else some direction to go if they have the same problem. Get a re-conditioned track for peace of mind.

[kingsblue]

Might be worth contacting western power steering (if you haven't already).

[geraintthomas]

1 hour ago, kingsblue said:

Might be worth contacting western power steering (if you haven't already).

That's exactly who I contacted, they were lovely and very informative. Given me some peace of mind when it comes to the job.

[Luke4efc]

If that £1000 is anything like the mk3 steering rack I got from Ford, it was actually refurbished. Oh and it had couple hundred quid surcharge ontop unless you returned your old rack back in serviceable condition.

[geraintthomas]

40 minutes ago, Luke4efc said:

If that £1000 is anything like the mk3 steering rack I got from Ford, it was actually refurbished. Oh and it had couple hundred quid surcharge ontop unless you returned your old rack back in serviceable condition.

...that's from Ford? Very odd!

[shezy]

hi, please someone can help me . 
i have change my focus st3 power steering rack, but after replacement i got message '' lane keep sys malfunction required service'' do i have to get steering programming ? 

from where i can get programming. thankx i am in west Yorkshire, thankx again 

[geraintthomas]

6 minutes ago, shezy said:

hi, please someone can help me . 
i have change my focus st3 power steering rack, but after replacement i got message '' lane keep sys malfunction required service'' do i have to get steering programming ? 

from where i can get programming. thankx i am in west Yorkshire, thankx again 

You can't just replace the rack with any second hand one, if that's what you've done. The rack needs programming to your car, but there's only two companies that I know of that do it (unless someone can help?); one of which is Ford themselves who refuse to program a second hand rack. It has to be new and sold by them (over £1,000 ex labour). The other is Western Power Steering who also won't program it, but they can sell you a refurbished rack that's programmed to your car having given them your registration details (£475 ex labour). I did the latter.

I'm told the reprogramming involves quite a specialised piece of hardware that no one has, so I wish you all the best in finding it! 

[scarface7866]

@geraintthomashi, I'm having the same issue with my steering rack and my local garage said £350 to replace?!? Could you help provide the garage who siad £85? And did the refurbished rack work for you from western?

[geraintthomas]

59 minutes ago, scarface7866 said:

@geraintthomashi, I'm having the same issue with my steering rack and my local garage said £350 to replace?!? Could you help provide the garage who siad £85? And did the refurbished rack work for you from western?

Lavernock service Station, Penarth, South Wales. It ended up being a bit more than that for labour but wasn't too bad. And yup, the steering rack is better than new!

[scarface78661114]

@geraintthomas Perfect thank you! Did they have to reprogramme? & how much was the total including the part from western? I'm looking to get it done next week.

I went to ford but they didn't want to give the aprt number I need so iv been finding it hard to get the right part.

[geraintthomas]

Just now, scarface78661114 said:

@geraintthomas Perfect thank you! Did they have to reprogramme? & how much was the total including the part from western? I'm looking to get it done next week.

I went to ford but they didn't want to give the aprt number I need so iv been finding it hard to get the right part.

Western programme it for you when you give them your car details, so when it arrives it'll be a straight swap. From memory, everything came to about £670 (parts and labour). What I found was the turning circle was miles better after changing it!

[scarface78661114]

On 2/24/2023 at 8:34 AM, geraintthomas said:

Western programme it for you when you give them your car details, so when it arrives it'll be a straight swap. From memory, everything came to about £670 (parts and labour). What I found was the turning circle was miles better after changing it!

Hi, I just got the steering rack changed. I purchased any second hand steering rack (£170) and you have to change the rack ends according to your car. It didn't need programming. Labour cost me £120. One error did popped up regarding steering angle sensor which was sorted by taking g off the steering wheel and moving the sensor ( this was due to mechanical not keeping the steering straight when taking off the rack) 

Cost:

Steering rack £170 used

Labour £120

Steering position sensor fix £80 

Tracking £40 

Total cost: £410