Rack & Pinion Transfer tubing

[lone-wolf]

Had a power steering leak and took it to my mechanic to have a look.
Apparently the transfer tubing & it's connections on the R&P is rotten.

Ford tells him the whole R&P needs to be replaced because of this little bit of transfer tubing...

And I can't find any specific part on the internet so far either, just the complete R&P units. Anyone ever encountered this? He said it's a common piece to go, sees it a lot. Sounds like my bill just doubled.

 

[adsm08]

Nobody makes just those lines. In fact a lot of reman companies have started including nasty little notes with rebuilt racks that say you don't get core credit if those tubes aren't there because they can't get those lines either.

 

[lone-wolf]

Nobody makes just those lines. In fact a lot of reman companies have started including nasty little notes with rebuilt racks that say you don't get core credit if those tubes aren't there because they can't get those lines either.

Whelp, that was the worry thanks for confirming.
I got lucky the last visit, ford told him you can't get a cv joint for the front drive shaft, you'd have to buy the complete shaft. I found different.
Luck ran out I guess.

 

[Alberta 7.3]

Why not try a shop that deals with hydraulic hose and tube? It may not be an exact replica of the part, but I'm sure they can bend and flare a line with the proper fittings.

I do steel hydraulic lines on my tractors when I am rebuilding them. Dealer lines would cost me too much.

 

[lone-wolf]

My mechanic came through! He called the dealership and one of the guys there got the transfer tubing for him somehow, 2 pieces for about $120CAD - better than the $500 for the complete unit.

 

[JiKeidan]

Why not try a shop that deals with hydraulic hose and tube? It may not be an exact replica of the part, but I'm sure they can bend and flare a line with the proper fittings.

I do steel hydraulic lines on my tractors when I am rebuilding them. Dealer lines would cost me too much.

And would probably hold better and last longer too...

Sent from my Z970 using Tapatalk

 

[adsm08]

They may have had a unit that was damaged somehow but the lines were OK and stole them.

One of my plans for when I quit wrenching is to buy a good flare kit and run around to junk yards taking those tubes off damaged racks and starting to replicate them.

 

[forestcomber]

lone-wolf, was your mechanic able to replace the transfer lines and it all worked out ? I have the same issue on my 2011. My mechanic just replaced the transfer lines but now the steering is so tight it won't move. They can't figure out what is wrong with it. Perhaps air is locked in the system ? Just wondering if this worked for you ? Thank-you !

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

lone-wolf, was your mechanic able to replace the transfer lines and it all worked out ? I have the same issue on my 2011. My mechanic just replaced the transfer lines but now the steering is so tight it won't move. They can't figure out what is wrong with it. Perhaps air is locked in the system ? Just wondering if this worked for you ? Thank-you !

Considering he hasn’t been on since 2018, I’m going to say you probably won’t get a response from him…

Air shouldn’t get locked in the system.

I actually removed the lines off of mom’s 02 Explorer, made new ones and put them on. I’ve also bought replacements before because they’re now available for a reasonable price. Never had a problem other than they’re kinda difficult to service in the vehicle. You are supposed to take the weight off the front wheels and turn the wheel lock to lock with the engine running after replacement to get the air mostly out so it doesn’t damage the pump and make sure the pump doesn’t run dry.

 

[forestcomber]

Considering he hasn’t been on since 2018, I’m going to say you probably won’t get a response from him…

Air shouldn’t get locked in the system.

I actually removed the lines off of mom’s 02 Explorer, made new ones and put them on. I’ve also bought replacements before because they’re now available for a reasonable price. Never had a problem other than they’re kinda difficult to service in the vehicle. You are supposed to take the weight off the front wheels and turn the wheel lock to lock with the engine running after replacement to get the air mostly out so it doesn’t damage the pump and make sure the pump doesn’t run dry.

 

[forestcomber]

Thank-you for your reply ! I'll suggest this to the shop.