Steering Issues

[homeskillet43]

Ok people I thought my issue was fixed. It was good for about three days, and now the same problem has returned. The issue is every time I turn the steering wheel to make a turn, I manually have to bring the steering wheel back. It seems as if the steering is sticking. So far I have replaced, idler and pitman arm, I drained and flushed the power steering fluid, replaced lower ball and upper ball joints on both sides, and replaced upper and lower control arms. If you may ask no the car was in an accident, I replaced the control arms because it was easier to replace the arms, instead of replacing the bushings. Now that you have the background, now time for the question.

I was wondering does anyone know the maximum adjustment for the steering box? How can you tell if your car has a handling package (do believe it is referring to the suspension)?

[Kitt1993]

I guess it was on a 1996 Town Car? Right? If so your handling package is the switch on ur dash to the left of ur steering wheel. Does the problem happen when you first start and drive the car and go away after you drive it a few blocks? Might be the nylon bushings inside your gear box. There is a switch on the back of the power steering pump that goes bad. Might want to look at it. And finally, put both ur hands on the wheel and grip it tightly, now push with one hand and pull with the other back and fourth as if you were fighting. Is there any play? If so the bearings in the steering colum are bad. Let me know.

[homeskillet43]

I guess it was on a 1996 Town Car? Right? If so your handling package is the switch on ur dash to the left of ur steering wheel. Does the problem happen when you first start and drive the car and go away after you drive it a few blocks? Might be the nylon bushings inside your gear box. There is a switch on the back of the power steering pump that goes bad. Might want to look at it. And finally, put both ur hands on the wheel and grip it tightly, now push with one hand and pull with the other back and fourth as if you were fighting. Is there any play? If so the bearings in the steering colum are bad. Let me know.[/quote]

[homeskillet43]

Yes it is for my 1996 Lincoln Town Car. The problem does not go away, it is constant. There is no play in the steering wheel. Maybe you can help me with another question as well. When I try and purchase a steering gear box, they ask me for a tag. What is that referring too?

[Kitt1993]

Not sure, maybe VIN. There are only 2 types of gear boxes. One with and one without the Handling package. Never heard of a tag before...

[homeskillet43]

I figured it out, I have the handling package, also known as Electronic Variable Orifice (EVO) Steering. This is just terrible, this steering box is very expensive.

[remark123]

Time to go to the Junk Yard... For a '96, I wouldn't even think of buying a new part. Usually a good used part is half of the cost of a new part, sometimes way less.

[junk yard doggie]

There is a tag on the unit with some numbers on it. I just trashed one with the adjustable steering option. This is a heavy unit and most people are too cheep to want to have it shipped. I don't see any reason why you couldn't use the regular one. I have several good ones that would fit your car. 50 bucks plus shipping. [email protected]

[homeskillet43]

Looks like the issue has been fixed with my sticking steering. I replaced the steering box, but that was not the issue. Later we tested the intermediate shaft and found out that the universal joints were bound up because of rust. We lubricated the joint with white lithium grease, and that seems to be working. Will post a few days from now, to see if the issue reoccurs.