Amen 🙏 I would strongly caution anyone buying one of these vehicles used. Steering racks go out 80 to 100,000 miles and it is around three grand to fix. From what I’ve heard only dealers have the software for the modules, unfortunately. That’s another problem with Ford and a lot of dealers, they make us techs fix their problems for significantly less an hour, then normal flat rate. As a result, guys like me have left the profession, and in my case even switched trades. There’s a lot more recalls coming out and I for one will not be fixing them. Auto mechanics are the only kind of mechanics who fix the screw ups, of engineers, who manufacture the product we service, for less money than a normal paying customer. There’s something profoundly wrong with that and more and more qualified Individuals are leaving the profession every month.
This is a EPS system( Electric Power steering -U502), it is not hydraulically assisted. It operates with an electric motor in which a rubber belt attaches from the electic motror small pulley to a large pulley on the RBNA. At lower speeds where you need most assist the electric motor spins faster to give the steering assist needed. The clunk is from the RBNA (recirculating Ball Nut Assembly), High lash in the Ball Nut assembly caused by most likely a curb impact. Russ is correct you can not disasseble this gear as a Diy"er alot of specialty tools needed and certain componets need to be set to manufactor's specs, such as yoke plug, spanner nut that secures the rack assembly in the housing and correct centering of the IPA. That is just the mecahnical side of things, then you have software. This is a very compicated part and this is why the dealer just replaces the whole assemble (Gear).
Thanks for the input, Jennifer! Are you a Ford tech? Yes, unfortunately I would not recommend buying a Ford Explorer with the all electric steering for this reason. Unless you don’t drive much but a lot of people buy these used in between 100 and 140,000 miles as when they tend to go out.
Odds are there’s something wrong with your speaker system. No one has left a comment like that on this video. I’m sorry if you’re hearing this noise in your Ford Explorer.
Yes, instead of going to the dealer it might be a good idea to call around and see if your shop has oasis, and if it can program electric steering modules 2014 and up
Yes, the alignment is probably fine but if the electronic steering box going.Iit will start by making noise. Depends on how loud it is and how annoying it is to you. From what I understand the only place that can fix it is your dealer because there’s a module whose software needs to be programmed by the dealer once steering rack is installed.
My 2017 ford explorer started making a low grinding noise when turning left idk if its the same issues its not that loud but maybe its barely beginning to give out, im barely sitting at 61k miles
Ugh, hopefully it’s not that steering rack. 🤔that was around the first generation time. I would take it to a reputable dealer and see what they say. Some of them are under warranty if it’s under 100,000 miles. Best of luck with that issue, my friend ✌️🔧🙏
You may want to call around. It’s weird that so many places sell the part. But from what I researched only the Ford dealership can reprogram the module. That might be an interesting video. I can call around and ask if shops will do the work 🤔then ask about how they program the module.
I have an 04 explorer, would mine still be electronic? And I have a power steering whine along with this sound, left turns are worse than right. We did do the sway bar links so idk if that effected anything , but we haven't been able to figure the sound out specifically yet so haven't touched anything else. I don't drive far at all and pretty much never over 25/30 mph so I've Basically been waiting for whatever this is to finally bust so I can be like yes that's what it is! 🤣 just not sure about dumping the money into the front end or get another car soon. 🤔 I just renewed registration and all that so I'm trying to keep it on the road for another yr at least. Any advice would be super helpful 😁
I don’t think the 2004 Explorer had an electronic steering rack. The best way to tell is to see if you have a power steering reservoir where you would put power steering fluid in. Electronic steering rack don’t use power steering/hydraulic fluid.
I mean, depending on how strong you are. 💪 Seriously though. Eventually, the power steering will fail, which could cause an accident because your vehicle could get very difficult to turn once the power steering is no longer assisting you in the direction of the vehicle.
I got mine replaced a year ago, and it’s making that noise again not as bad. I am needing an alignment would that be the issue?? Or would it really be going out already?
Honestly, I’ve wondered that myself. 🤔 how long will the power steering be annoying before it fails and no more power steering. 🤦🏻 The noise is signifying that the bearings inside and or mechanisms are rubbing metal to metal which is not good. They should’ve made a way to lubricate them or change out the fluids. Still not sure that would fix the problem. Eventually the power steering will fail and that can be dangerous. I remember pulling one into the shop and it intermediately had power steering failure. Like when I was steering it, it would work for a few moments and then no power steering and then work for a few moments and no power steering and that can certainly be dangerous if you’re out on the roads.
@@RussShawTVim wondering to buy one and it has that noise, now how do I understand how much this fix will be?? Or should i keep using it like this? 110k miles police interceptor 2014 ford explorer
You can in fact drive it a small distance to a dealership to have it programmed, the dealerships want upwards of $2500 for this job. For a $500 or less from a junkyard steering rack, and about 3 or 4 hours of labor. I would strongly recommend anybody who can, do this job themselves, and tow it or drive it to a dealership afterward. The programming at my ford dealership is $150.
You could drive it a short distance but it’s risky. Not sure I would advise getting one of these for my wrecking yard. They tend to go out about 100,000 140,000 miles. And are very susceptible to front end damage. If you do get one check the mileage and make sure it’s intact with no cracks. This is going to take a lot longer than 3 or 4 hours if you do not have a lift. As a professional after doing a few of these, then I where I could do this in 3 or 4 hours with air tools. Shop time on this is seven hours BTW because they want you to drop the whole front sub frame. Which is not necessary. You can loosen up to sub frame and just take the bolts out in the back. Sure you can do this crawling around on the ground with jackstands for it’s going to take longer. Those subframe are long and tight And the sub frame has to hang down considerably in order to wiggle that steering rack out.
My 2016 just hit 30k. Just failed after driving on 1-2inch flooded highway. I noticed it going bad on the 4hr trip because the steering felt like it was loose by 1/4 inch but specifically jumping or ratcheting tightly from the extremes of that quarter inch. Like a servo jumping from 1 position to the next but not smoothly. That likely overheated the boards being over worked duty cycle wise and then the jarring and cooling of the water 1 hr into the 4hr trip home. Made it home but got the hard fault the next morning
Also learned, even with wheels off the ground, if your force the wheel left to right a bit, it will slowly loosen up but after 10-30 secs of no movement, the electric motor will hold it tight again. This is why driving it is not the same as driving without power steering. The assist is actually fighting your input.
No unfortunately it’s part of a whole integrated system. I’m not sure what would happen if you disconnected the wires from the power steering harness. If it’s an electronic steering rack it could seriously mess with your computer. I certainly wouldn’t recommend it.
@@RussShawTV Right around a 100k not absolutely and its been serviced on regular bases but my daughter in law didnt even hear the whining or different sound...lol i heard it when i was there and drove it to the store. My son did hit a deer but very little damage and the grill is cracked so thought maybe that caused the whining? i have checked it much or the fans or belt and someone told me the alternator or water could be an issue. but i have read and heard all kinds of stuff and my son thinks its the transmission but there no slip or dark fluid or smell to the fluid?
Oh no dang, It’s a pretty nasty repair bill I’m not gonna lie. But I will say Ford has an excellent extended warranty program through Ford motor company probably the best on the market for used vehicles.
Did you get it replaced and how much it was if you dont mind? Mine is 2016 Explorer as well and its doing the exact same sound, I was hoping that it would be some less expensive repair and DIYer friendly :(
