crown vic owners enter please power steerin q

**grandkodiak** · 10-13-2009, 05:16 PM

i'm looking at this 2003 crown vic thats in awesome shape, perfect body, interrior, everything works, no rust etc... except for one thing. the power steering has some really wierd problem. ive driven a bunch of crown vics, and the ones ive driven w ps problems, simple have no pressure at idle, and work fine right as the engine spools up.

this problem though, is that the ps turns on and off in a very notchy pattern....it doesnt wine or make any noises and fluid looks fine, but the top maybe 11 o clock to 1 oclock right or left theres no ps, then its fine until like 2-3 and no ps, then 4-oclock. its wierd. its drivable fine, but its really awckward, and i dont know if its just a ps pump, of if this is some control valves or some other issue... i dont know anything about vic's really.

any input would be great, its a good price and great condition otherwise, but i dont want to find out that its a major problem a few weeks from now or that its gunna need a bunch of work like rack and pump lines etc.

**FORD RECOVERY EXPERT** · 10-13-2009, 07:16 PM

Do you know if it is a R&P setup?

**Marc 85Z28** · 10-14-2009, 11:49 AM

Common problem. Replace the intermediate steering shaft (between rack and firewall). One of the universal joints in the shaft has seized.

**0rion** · 10-14-2009, 11:55 AM

Originally Posted by Marc 85Z28

Common problem. Replace the intermediate steering shaft (between rack and firewall). One of the universal joints in the shaft has seized.

I just read a post on a truck forum not too long ago about the GM trucks having intermediate shaft issues. Is there a plastic bearing at the bottom of that shaft like on the GM trucks?

**grandkodiak** · 10-14-2009, 04:25 PM

thanks marc... ive been googling that w no luck... do you happen to have a part number or something? i called autozone and pepboys and they are like huh?

**grandkodiak** · 10-14-2009, 04:58 PM

ps took 2 pics... which of these is the trouble spot? arrow points to front of car, location is drives side engine bay where the steering comes out of the firewall... it goes first to a ujoint, then some odd looking joint by the orange filter. dont know anything about steering really, its an od union whatever it is, almost multilayered.

http://68.37.131.101/c2.jpg
http://68.37.131.101/c1.jpg

**Cougar281** · 10-14-2009, 05:14 PM

Originally Posted by 0rion

I just read a post on a truck forum not too long ago about the GM trucks having intermediate shaft issues. Is there a plastic bearing at the bottom of that shaft like on the GM trucks?

The problem on the GM trucks isn't a bearing that would cause problems like the OP posted, the problem is just a really annoying rattle or clunking. My truck did it, the shaft got replaced under warranty, and 100k later, it's doing it again.

**0rion** · 10-14-2009, 05:25 PM

Originally Posted by Cougar281

The problem on the GM trucks isn't a bearing that would cause problems like the OP posted, the problem is just a really annoying rattle or clunking. My truck did it, the shaft got replaced under warranty, and 100k later, it's doing it again.

I saw where most were fixing that problem with a 2" hose clamp around the bottom of the shaft.

**grandkodiak** · 10-14-2009, 05:27 PM

theres no noise mine just acts like there is no power steering at 12,2,4,6,8, and 10 oclock roughly, but every other hour of degree works fine...?

**Marc 85Z28** · 10-15-2009, 04:57 AM

I usually see it on the lower joint. Spraying the joints won't work, they're sealed. If you're unsure, diagnose it by unbolting the shafts and move them in a circular motion. All the joints should move freely. You'll find one (or more) that is seized. The shafts are dealer only parts.

The middle shaft is PN 3W1Z-3B676-AB
The lower shaft is PN 5W1Z-3B676-AA (most common)