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Power steering shaft binding

Tiny
NASER NASER
  • MEMBER
  • 2012 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 208,000 MILES
Last week we had so much rain it brought with it tons if mud and dirt. After I cleaned it all out noticed steering a bit binding, even when parked turning it will cause a whooshing sound. No popping noise or any other symptoms. Still smooth steering just a bit bindy, looked under and I saw a shiny part of the power steering shaft, assuming there is a bearing that popped out, is there such thing in these? I will send a picture soon.
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Saturday, February 15th, 2020 AT 2:27 PM

11 Replies

Tiny
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Good evening,

Sounds like the u joints in the steering shaft may be binding up. See if they have a grease fitting. If they do, grease them. Otherwise, they would need to be replaced.

Roy
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Saturday, February 15th, 2020 AT 4:20 PM
Tiny
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I greased the top one but didn't know there is another one down below. Also greased on top of the bottom blue circle where shaft meets rack and pinion, do these go bad? A bearing there? Greased all that and no change.
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Saturday, February 15th, 2020 AT 4:24 PM
Tiny
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Can you upload pictures?

Yes, they do go bad.

Roy
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Saturday, February 15th, 2020 AT 4:26 PM
Tiny
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It is night time now forgot to take a picture, dang! What goes bad a bearing? It looks as its part of the rack and pinion. Isn't it all one piece?
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Saturday, February 15th, 2020 AT 4:36 PM
Tiny
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There are needle bearings inside the joint that seize up instead of rolling freely.

Roy
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Saturday, February 15th, 2020 AT 4:42 PM
Tiny
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Can you give me instructions on how to replace it in case I find out it is please? I would hate to drop the price of the car by $1,000.00 and it turns out its a $20.00 part.
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Saturday, February 15th, 2020 AT 4:49 PM
Tiny
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Procedure below.

Roy

Steering Column Shaft

Removal

1. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist. REFER to Section 100-02, Jacking and Lifting See: Vehicle Lifting > Procedures > Jacking and Lifting, Lifting Points.

2. Using a suitable holding device, hold the steering wheel in the straight-ahead position.

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3. NOTICE: Do not allow the steering column to rotate while the steering column shaft is disconnected or damage to the clockspring may result. If there is evidence that the steering column shaft has rotated, remove and recenter the clockspring.

Remove and discard the steering column shaft-to-steering gear bolt and disconnect the steering column shaft from the steering gear.

4. Remove the 2 steering column cover trim panel screws and the steering column cover trim panel.

5. Remove the 4 steering column cover screws and the steering column cover.

6. Remove the 3 steering column shaft boot nuts.

7. Remove and discard the steering column shaft-to-steering column bolt and disconnect the steering column shaft from the steering column.

8. Remove the steering column shaft and steering column shaft boot.
Installation
WARNING: Do not reuse steering column shaft bolts. This may result in fastener failure and steering column shaft detachment or loss of steering control. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious injury to vehicle occupant(s).

1. If installing a new steering column shaft, transfer parts as needed by removing the constant tension clamp and the steering column shaft boot from the the old steering column shaft.

2. Position the steering column shaft and steering column shaft boot, connect the steering column shaft to the steering column and install a new bolt.
25 Nm (18 lb-ft)

3. Install the 3 steering column shaft boot nuts.
9 Nm (80 lb-in)

4. Position the steering column cover and install the 4 steering column cover screws.

5. Position the steering column cover trim panel and install the 2 steering column cover trim panel screws.

6. Connect the steering column shaft to the steering gear and install a new steering column shaft-to-steering gear bolt.
25 Nm (18 lb-ft)
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Saturday, February 15th, 2020 AT 4:55 PM
Tiny
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The guy at Pepboys said that it is more likely the bearing inside the rack and pinion where the shaft connects that is making this noise and binding. Any temporary fix? I can't really afford to replace the whole rack just for that pinion.
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Wednesday, February 19th, 2020 AT 7:26 PM
Tiny
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There is no bearing at the top of the rack. It is a machined finish inside.

No, no quick fix.

Roy
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Thursday, February 20th, 2020 AT 2:22 AM
Tiny
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How do I go bout replacing the electric rack and pinion? Have no other choice.
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Friday, February 21st, 2020 AT 2:09 PM
Tiny
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The procedure below with some pictures.

Roy

Removal

1. If installing a new steering gear, connect the scan tool and upload the module configuration information from the PSCM (Power Steering Control Module).

2. Using a suitable holding device, hold the steering wheel in the straight-ahead position.

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3. Remove the front wheels and tires. REFER to Section 204-04A, Wheel and Tire See: Wheels and Tires > Removal and Replacement > Wheel and Tire.

4. Remove and discard the steering column shaft-to-steering gear bolt and disconnect the steering column shaft from the steering gear.

5. Remove and discard the 2 stabilizer bar link upper nuts.

6. Remove the 2 outer tie-rod end nuts and separate the tie-rod ends from the wheel knuckle.

7. Remove the 4 retainers and the underbody shield.

8. If equipped with a 3.5L engine, remove the exhaust Y-pipe. REFER to Section 309-00, Exhaust Y-Pipe See: Exhaust Pipe > Removal and Replacement > Exhaust Y-Pipe.

9. Remove the roll restrictor-to-subframe bolt.

10. Remove the flap heat shield bolt and position the flap heat shield to access the EPAS (Electronic Power Assist Steering) electrical connectors.

11. Remove the wiring harness-to-steering gear bolt.

12. Disconnect the 2 EPAS (Electronic Power Assist Steering) electrical connectors and detach the 2 wiring pin-type retainers from the steering gear.

13. Remove the 2 RH inner fender shield-to-subframe pin-type retainers.

14. Position 300-OTC1585AE under the subframe.

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15. Remove the 2 subframe rearward bolts, the 4 support bracket bolts and the 2 subframe support brackets.

16. Loosen the 2 subframe forward bolts.

17. Lower the subframe to gain access to the steering gear.

18. Position the stabilizer bar to the full up position.

19. Remove and discard the 2 steering gear bolts and remove the steering gear from the RH side of the vehicle.
Installation

1. Position the steering gear and install the 2 new steering gear bolts.
Tighten to 165 Nm (122 lb-ft).

2. Raise the subframe.

3. Position the 2 subframe support brackets and install the 4 subframe support bracket bolts finger-tight.

4. Install the 2 subframe rearward bolts.
Tighten the subframe rearward and forward bolts to 200 Nm (148 lb-ft).

5. Tighten the 4 subframe support bracket bolts.
Tighten to 55 Nm (41 lb-ft).

6. Install the 2 RH inner fender shield-to-subframe pin-type retainers.

7. Connect the 2 EPAS (Electronic Power Assist Steering) electrical connectors and attach the wiring harness pin-type retainers to the steering gear.

8. Install the wiring harness-to-steering gear bolt.
Tighten to 11 Nm (97 lb-in).

9. Position the flap heat shield and install the flap heat shield bolt.
Tighten to 11 Nm (97 lb-in).

10. Install the roll restrictor-to-subframe bolt.
Tighten to 90 Nm (66 lb-ft).

11. If equipped with a 3.5L engine, install the exhaust Y-pipe. REFER to Section 309-00, Exhaust Y-Pipe See: Exhaust Pipe > Removal and Replacement > Exhaust Y-Pipe.

12. Position the underbody shield and install the 4 retainers.

13. Position the 2 outer tie-rod ends and install the outer tie-rod end nuts.
Tighten to 150 Nm (111 lb-ft).

14. Connect the stabilizer bar links and install the 2 new stabilizer bar link upper nuts.
Tighten to 150 Nm (111 lb-ft).

15. Connect the steering column shaft to the steering gear and install the new steering column shaft-to-steering gear bolt.
Tighten to 26 Nm (19 lb-ft).

16. Install the front wheels and tires. REFER to Section 204-04A, Wheel and Tire See: Wheels and Tires > Removal and Replacement > Wheel and Tire.

17. When installing a new steering gear, it must be configured (using vehicle as-built data or module configuration information retrieved earlier in this procedure). Refer to the scan tool instructions to carry out PMI (Programmable Module Installation).

18. Check and, if necessary, adjust the front toe. For additional information, Refer to Suspension &/or Alignment.
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Friday, February 21st, 2020 AT 3:16 PM

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