Ok, my wife & I bought a used 2007 Edge SEL FWD about 3 weeks ago from Carmax. It has about 24k miles on it. For the most part...love it. But ever since purchase we noticed that the steering seemed a little tighter than it should be, and that when sitting still (foot on the brake), in Drive, the steering wheel is all but impossible to turn.
I happened to be at my buddy's auto body shop last week with the Edge when a mechanic freind of his (that I don't know) stopped in for something. He asked the mechanic to get in the Edge and turn the wheel and see what he thought (didn't tell him anything else about the tight steering). The guy got in, started it up, turned the wheel all the way left, then all the way right. He looked at me and said "There's something wrong with your rack". He told me to put my hand on the dash between the left side of the steering wheel and the vent, and then he turned the wheel again. I noticed a very slight vibration or shudder. He said that shouldn't happen. He is also a state inspector (Maryland) for vehicle inspection and noticed the state inspection sticker on the windshield...he said he would have failed it if he were inspecting it.
So...all this being said, I'm wondering if this guy was being a little over-critical or not, and if it might be a design flaw that most Edge's have overly tight steering.
My auto body guy can find no evidence of any previous accidents so I'm ruling that out. The thing is, I'm told that there is a $50 deductible if I take it to Ford for a repair while in the Bumper to Bumper 36k warranty...but if I take it to Carmax within the first 30 days after purchase there is no fee. I've got about a week to get it in to Carmax if I'm going to.
Anyone have any insight on this? Thanks!
