possible problem (damn cars lol) - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

FordLover · 11-26-2003, 02:32

i couple of things

first, how much does a steering rack cost?? (2nd hand)

second, today i was driving and pulled up at a set of lights and noticed a small amount of white smoke coming from under my car, got to my friends house, and upped the bonnet, had a look and found out that it was coming from the CAT converter, not shure if something was dripping onto it and then burning up or if it was the converter itself, leaking etc., i let the car cool down and after that it was kinda ok.

could the fact the seal in the steering rack needs replaceing be a factor in this problem??

dad said something about the transmission is leaking too, could that be the problem. (i didnt look under the car so im not 100% shure the smoke was coming from the cat but it appeared so.

im concerned because i start a new job tomorrow (30+ mins drive on a good day) and i dont want to be stuck 30 mins from home, with dad annother 30 mins the other way (i dont have RACQ), and being late for work (shouldve got their phone number).

RaceCraft · 11-26-2003, 02:54

might just be the rack switch failing not the rack itself... clean it and check just under the lower steering shaft.. you will see a set of wires running into the 'knuckle'<--under the bell shaped cover.. Is it using p/steering oil?

FordLover · 11-26-2003, 02:57

it's used in the last three weeks 2 1/2 bottles of p/steering fluid. and half as much transmission fluid

dpk83 · 11-26-2003, 03:15

no h in sure. As for your problem, NFI sorry.

SPHELL · 11-26-2003, 03:50

I think Sunny told me his mum got a second hand steering rack for $150

RaceCraft · 11-26-2003, 03:53

usage like that sounds more like a switch.or one completely dead rack.. are the rackboots full of oil? squeeze them if they 'squelch' back at you the seals are rooted. Pay no more than $250 exchange for a reco rack THe transmission on the other hand could be coming from anywhere... real seal maybe? Tranny's don't usually leak onto the exhaust towards the front unless your running a cooler at the front and its blowing back onto the manifold

XplodEd EA · 11-26-2003, 04:02

I would say the power steering switch, they can be bought from between $45-$75 (theres been so many prices quoted for these) new from a parts shop like repco. I agree dont pay more than $250 for a reconditioned exchange rack, if you cant find one for that price at well known retail places try some ford specialist wreckers.

The smoke I would say is the oil from the switch flying onto the cat while your driving. A few people have had this happen aswell.

As long as there isnt any drips coming from gearbox I wouldnt worry about it too much, all the auto boxes I've seen have always been wet from oil.

Walkinshaw · 11-26-2003, 08:20

id put money on the switch. I had the same problem, lucky i had a switch lying arround, but it definatly came from the rooted switch. Often its just the o-ring thats buggered.

XplodBoom · 11-26-2003, 13:47

I bet its the switch.. Same thing was happening to me a while back, stopped at the lights and white smoke was pil.ing out from under the bonnet... Theres a little switch on the rack that can crack and leak, thats what mine was....

Kenaz · 11-26-2003, 15:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPHELL

I think Sunny told me his mum got a second hand steering rack for $150

Yeah, but knowing Sunny, he probably talked the guy down from about $300 or something