2008 Ford Fusion steering complaints

Filed Apr 16, 2012 · Steering · 81,000 miles · NC

Over time the vehicle developed gradually more slackness and free play in the steering response. I initially attributed the condition to tire wear and vehicle age. Eventually the condition became so serious that I was certain it was not normal, so I decided to try and diagnose the cause. Upon investigation I discovered that the steering rack assembly was moving around on its attachments in response to steering inputs. I checked the mounting bolts that secure the rack to the sub-frame and found that two of the bolts were loose enough to be turned by hand and the third was broken and was just sitting in the hole. If I had not intervened, the condition would almost certainly have progressed to the point that the steering rack completely detached from its mounts resulting in total loss of steering control.