Steering/Rack Problem?

[chrismdusa]

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!

[akirby]

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!

 

There is no $50 deductible for service under Ford's factory warranty (3/36 b2b, 5/60 powertrain). Take it to the dealer and if they say it's normal ask them to show you another Edge (new or used) for comparison - if the other one doesn't do it then you've proven it's not normal.

[bbf2530]

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!

 

Hi Chris. :D As akirby stated, there is no deductible during Ford's 3 year/36,000 mile Bumper to Bumper Warranty period, or the 5 year/60,000 mile Powertrain Warranty.

 

A thought or two concerning your problem: In addition to the possibility of some sort of steering rack problem, there is also the possibility of a problem with your power steering pump. I say this since you state "that when sitting still (foot on the brake), in Drive, the steering wheel is all but impossible to turn." This is often a sign of a defective power steering pump.

 

Have you checked the power steering fluid level in the power steering pump? If you have not, you should take a look.

 

Either way, whether you take it to Carmax before their 30 day Warranty expires, or take it to Ford, I would recommend taking it in as soon as possible, as this is an unsafe condition.

 

I have not dealt with Carmax, so I do not know if it may be better to have them look at it first, so as to preserve any contractual protection you may have through your purchase with them.

 

Let us know how you make out.

 

Good luck. :beerchug:

Edited August 26, 2008 by bbf2530

[chrismdusa]

Thanks for the info. Since there's no deductible, (and also because the closest Carmax that services vehicles is about 40 miles away), I'll take it to Ford.

 

Yeah the power steering pump had crossed my mind, but I haven't checked the fluid level yet. The problem isn't noticable unless I'm driving 5mph or less and turning...so in other words, every time I park. I'll schedule a service at my local Ford dealership in the next few days or so and will post back afterwards. Thanks again.

[akirby]

Thanks for the info. Since there's no deductible, (and also because the closest Carmax that services vehicles is about 40 miles away), I'll take it to Ford.

 

Yeah the power steering pump had crossed my mind, but I haven't checked the fluid level yet. The problem isn't noticable unless I'm driving 5mph or less and turning...so in other words, every time I park. I'll schedule a service at my local Ford dealership in the next few days or so and will post back afterwards. Thanks again.

 

That does sound like a pump problem since it happens at idle/very low speed.