Steering Tie Rod Assembly problems of the 2008 Mazda Tribute

Went to get ice cream shut off the vehicle and when the vehicle was restarted the power steering was not working I checked the fuses they were all fine drove home without powersteering the next day the vehicle was started the steering is now working but the steering wheel rattles right to left unless your turning and continues to rattle when the vehicle is turned off. The steering operation is intermittent when starting the vehicle, when it doesn't work you have to start it and turn the steering wheel to the right then it will work. The steering wheel also wanders when driving similar to a worn out tie rod but only when the steering is working. Mileage is 52354.

The lower steering universal joint and 2 inner tie rods 1 outer were all found to contribute to poor alignment-the steering u-joint was improperly installed[Mazda] when new --as the joint was supposed to move freely in 4 directions fluidly--but, when removed it was frozen;----and u- joint movement wasn't possible in two points or direction ; I. E. Found loose -not greased--leading to slack and failure of the other named parts--which caused excessive slack overall in steering wheel! overall the warranty --was worthless and costs 2500. 00 of sell price-so between these failures and a previous report we've spent over 2500. 00 on repairs that should have been on Mazda--these are repairs that were supposedly covered by warranty!.

The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that transmission fluid was leaking from the front of the vehicle. The contact stated that he believe that the transmission cooler was cracked and causing the leak. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 90,000 and the current mileage was 108,000. Updated 05/08/lj the consumer also stated the front wheel bearings were noisy, and had been since the day the vehicle was purchased and the outer tie rods needed to be replaced. Updated 05/30/12.