NHTSA Campaign 94V118000

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

Issued by FORD MOTOR COMPANY · Reported Jun 27, 1994 · 12,700 vehicles affected

What's wrong

THE STEERING GEARS HAVE AN IMPROPERLY MACHINED SNAP RING GROOVE. THIS CAN CAUSE A FRACTURE OF THE SNAP RING WITH SUBSEQUENT DAMAGE TO THE RECIRCULATING BALL GUIDE TUBE. ALSO, THE O-RING SEAL IN VEHICLES BUILT AFTER FEBRUARY 1988 DOES NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS AND IS INADEQUATE, CAUSING INTERIOR LEAKAGE AROUND THE O-RING / GLIDE RING SEAL IN THE STEERING GEAR.

Consequence

THE FRACTURE OF THE SNAP RING RESULTS IN INCREASING DETERIORATION OF THE ABILITY TO TURN THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT. THE DRIVER WOULD EXPERIENCE INCREASED STEERING EFFORTS OR A "CRUNCHY" FEELING AT THE STEERING WHEEL. THE INADEQUATE O-RING SEAL CAUSES MOMENTARY REDUCTIONS IN POWER STEERING ASSIST AT LOW SPEED AND CERTAIN LEFT TURN MANEUVERS. BOTH CONDITIONS RESULT IN DECREASED STEERING ABILITY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REBUILD THE STEERING GEAR. IF A BROKEN SNAP RING IS FOUND DURING REBUILDING, THE STEERING GEAR WILL BE REPLACED WITH A REMANUFACTURED UNIT.

Vehicles affected by this recall

Make Model Year Units
FORD B600 1988 12,700
FORD B600 1989 12,700
FORD B600 1990 12,700
FORD B600 1991 12,700
FORD B600 1992 12,700
FORD B600 1993 12,700
FORD B700 1988 12,700
FORD B700 1989 12,700
FORD B700 1990 12,700
FORD B700 1991 12,700
FORD B700 1992 12,700
FORD B700 1993 12,700

Source: NHTSA Campaign 94V118000 on nhtsa.gov. To check the current repair status for a specific vehicle, use our free VIN decoder.