2004 Mustang Cobra-Steering Problem (Need Help)

RedVenomSVT99 · 10-02-2009

Ok so i have a 2004 Cobra 18,500 miles now. I recently heard an annoying creaking noise when i turned the wheel so i brought it back to the dealer and they said the steering rack failed and they put a brand new steering rack in, tie rods everything. So i get it back and drive it for 20 minutes or so and now its making the same noise!!! I look under the car the steering rack moves back and forth when turned.. is this normal?? Im bringing it back to the dealer monday hes going to fix it for free but i dont know what it could be anyone have any ideas????

flatratetec · 10-02-2009

Some play in the rack is normal due to the factory rubber bushings. But if its so loose that the rack itself is moving an abnormal amount, than maybe the tech left something loose when he installed the new rack.

flatratetec · 10-02-2009

I've also never heard a rack creak. Usually strut bearings, ball joints and outer tie rods are the most common causes of creaking noises. Maybe you have another problem?

2Manystangs · 10-02-2009

Yeah I have over 150,000 miles on my Cobra and it has never had a steering rack issue..it might be the steering rod that connects the wheel to the rack itself squeaking...but just a guess..and damn the dealer, they are just doing guess work and for them not to test drive the car and not see the problem is inexcusable...at this point I'd be bitching hard at the sales manager for a refund! In Florida 3 times at a fix and a car is a Lemon! May be why the car was traded in/sold to begin with.

RedVenomSVT99 · 10-03-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2Manystangs

Yeah I have over 150,000 miles on my Cobra and it has never had a steering rack issue..it might be the steering rod that connects the wheel to the rack itself squeaking...but just a guess..and damn the dealer, they are just doing guess work and for them not to test drive the car and not see the problem is inexcusable...at this point I'd be bitching hard at the sales manager for a refund! In Florida 3 times at a fix and a car is a Lemon! May be why the car was traded in/sold to begin with.

Well an older lady had owned the car before and only had to get rid of it because she was getting divorced and could not afford it. I would not wanna get rid of this car because its a MystiChrome Cobra and is really rare. As for the steering rod im not exactly sure if they replaced that it looks new but idk they told me the steering rack is brand new from ford. I was also reading that there is a recall on 2002-2004 mustangs for the noise im hearing in my steering. The car is not driven hard at all so im completely stumped. Im bringing it back monday and they are going to look at and hopefully fix it for no cost cause its still under warranty. And are you sure the steering rack is suppose to move??? That just doesnt seem right to me ive talked to a lot of people about it and they tell me that it should not move at all, ive never heard of the entire steering rack acutally moving on a car....

RedVenomSVT99 · 10-03-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by flatratetec

I've also never heard a rack creak. Usually strut bearings, ball joints and outer tie rods are the most common causes of creaking noises. Maybe you have another problem?

It only makes the noise when i turn the wheel and the car is almost brand new so i highly doubt it would be strut bearings and ball joints. As for the tie rods they replaced them as well.

steves72grande · 10-03-2009

Here's a weird idea - I don't know late models that well, but could you be hearing the steering shaft turning inside the rubber boot/bushing/etc. in the firewall? FWIW - Lexus RX300/330 and ES300/330 had a squeak/groan sound that you'd swear was the spiral cable for the airbag. The sound seemed to come from the steering wheel itself. We'd take some silicone paste and slather the rubber boot up real good and the sound was gone.

Just my .02

RedVenomSVT99 · 10-03-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by steves72grande

Here's a weird idea - I don't know late models that well, but could you be hearing the steering shaft turning inside the rubber boot/bushing/etc. in the firewall? FWIW - Lexus RX300/330 and ES300/330 had a squeak/groan sound that you'd swear was the spiral cable for the airbag. The sound seemed to come from the steering wheel itself. We'd take some silicone paste and slather the rubber boot up real good and the sound was gone.

Just my .02

Yea never know could be that hopefully they find the problem cause the noise is very annoying

2Manystangs · 10-03-2009

Car is 5 years old, almost 6...hardly new, I'm surprised there is any warranty left unless it has an extended warranty... if there is a TSB for the recall how is it the dealer wouldn't be aware of it? Is your dealer a SVT dealer? Maybe you need to print it out and show the service manager.

2Manystangs · 10-03-2009

Here's an old post: Hope it helps
In Reference to:

TSB
05-14-3
Publication Date: June 30, 2005

FORD: 2002-2004 Mustang

This article supersedes TSB 04-24-8 to update the Action.

ISSUE:

Some 2002-2004 Mustang vehicles may exhibit a squeak or creak type noise when turning.

ACTION:

Replace both power steering gear tube brackets. Refer to Workshop Manual Section 211-02 Steering Gear Mounting. Tighten the steering gear mounting fasteners to 52 lb-ft (70 N-m).

PART NUMBER | PART NAME
E5DZ-3K620-A | Bracket

__________________________________________________ __________________

Had the "creaking" and "popping" problems solved today using the Ford Fix and my Trusty Mechanic. Total Cost: $98.00. My mechanic thinks they may have over-torqued things from the factory, as the replacement parts are identical to the original.

I had a front end squeek when I turned my Steering Wheel to the left...Solution:

Grease the Tie Rod Ends. Cost? Free.

f

RedVenomSVT99 · 10-03-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2Manystangs

Here's an old post: Hope it helps
In Reference to:

TSB
05-14-3
Publication Date: June 30, 2005

FORD: 2002-2004 Mustang

This article supersedes TSB 04-24-8 to update the Action.

ISSUE:

Some 2002-2004 Mustang vehicles may exhibit a squeak or creak type noise when turning.

ACTION:

Replace both power steering gear tube brackets. Refer to Workshop Manual Section 211-02 Steering Gear Mounting. Tighten the steering gear mounting fasteners to 52 lb-ft (70 N-m).

PART NUMBER | PART NAME
E5DZ-3K620-A | Bracket

__________________________________________________ __________________

Had the "creaking" and "popping" problems solved today using the Ford Fix and my Trusty Mechanic. Total Cost: $98.00. My mechanic thinks they may have over-torqued things from the factory, as the replacement parts are identical to the original.

I had a front end squeek when I turned my Steering Wheel to the left...Solution:

Grease the Tie Rod Ends. Cost? Free.

f

No the dealer is not a ford or svt dealer just a used car dealership that specializes in getting mustangs and cobras. The warranty is there 3 month warranty that comes with the car. And yes thats exactly what my car is doing i heard a pop as well. I will let him know what to do hopefully this will fix it.

2Manystangs · 10-03-2009

Ahh, now we're getting somewhere...always check for TSBs on google when you have a problem with your car...there may be a quick direct solution that the factory is aware of...used guys usually aren't so resourceful...

RedVenomSVT99 · 10-04-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2Manystangs

Ahh, now we're getting somewhere...always check for TSBs on google when you have a problem with your car...there may be a quick direct solution that the factory is aware of...used guys usually aren't so resourceful...

The only thing that doesnt make sense to me is that its a brand new steering rack from ford... Why would it make the same noise again shouldnt they have fixed the problem??

RedVenomSVT99 · 10-09-2009

So i got my car back from the dealer today told him about the recall issue on the steering and how to fix it, and now it works great no annoying noise and it actually feels a lot better to.

hotcobra03 · 10-16-2009

ive had the creak,still time to time it still creaks....do a better search,,you will find some have changed the tubes that the bolts go thru...

fwiw,,for me the rack shouldnt move at all,on mine i took off the big washers that hold the rack and you will see the grooves in it from the bushings..the bushing have a pressed in tube that is part of the bushing..i turned the washer around and re-tigghten them..make them super tight,,tighter than an air gun can..i used a half inch braker bar with a pipe added for move power to tighten..

check on svtperformance in the svt cobra section