Eight problems related to steering rack and pinion have been reported for the 1998 Ford Taurus. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
When I was turning a corner my car started to shimmy like it had a flat tire I got out to check only to find there isnt a flat tire and that my rackand pinion is gone bad on the passenger side of my car I just replaced the same part on the other side a year ago everytime the alignment goes out the rack and pinion goes bad!.
3rd rack & pinion replaced in my 1998 Taurus since I purchased it in August '99 : sept. '99; sept. '03, and Apr 04. I have only put 26,000 miles on my car and believe this is not an item that should be replaced with such frequency.
Consumer states that after replacing the steering pump the rack and pinon stops working. Contacted dealer. This is a common problem. Mr.
Steering got tight, when turning wheel, it made noise. Rack and pinion needed to be replaced.
Consumer was driving out of driveway and heard a loud grinding noise when turning vehicle to the right. She took vehicle to dealership, and they told her steering rack and pinion broke. Dealership fixed it the first time. Then, vehicle repeated the same problem.
Vehicle steering rack and pinion with a spring yoke will rectify problems with steering control and vibration, unable to get parts as of 22-Jul-98, design flaw.
When making left of right turns a grinding noise could be heard. Vehicle was taken to the dealer, who replaced rack and pinion steering on 6/17/2003.
Rack and pinion steering spring yoke is defective causing shimmy and steering problems.