Reduced turning radius in 2000 from 2003

[Dekeman]

Hello all,

Some months ago, my 2003 Windstar was wrecked and we replaced it with a 2000. The turning radius in both directions is significantly less than in our 2003 WS. Is there a reason for this?

[Dekeman]

Bump

[Grabber5.0]

I've only ever driven a 2000, so I can't compare it with any other year. I will say it takes a very large area to turn it around (ridiculously so after I've been driving my Focus.. I can practically turn around in my driveway in that car! I'm not sure the Windstar is much better than my 99 F150 extended cab sometimes...) However, I'm a bit confused by the way you worded your post. By saying the turning radius of the 2000 is smaller, are you saying the 2003 takes even more room to turn around? Or do you mean the 2000 takes more room to turn around because it does not turn as tight. I don't know enough about the year to year changes to know if there are any steering differences between them. The only thing I can think of that would cause it to be different is the amount of travel in the steering rack.

[Dekeman]

Originally Posted by Grabber5.0

However, I'm a bit confused by the way you worded your post. By saying the turning radius of the 2000 is smaller, are you saying the 2003 takes even more room to turn around? Or do you mean the 2000 takes more room to turn around because it does not turn as tight. I don't know enough about the year to year changes to know if there are any steering differences between them. The only thing I can think of that would cause it to be different is the amount of travel in the steering rack.

The turning radius is smaller- it takes more room to turn in the 2000 than it did in the 2003. Is that a function of the steering rack or the tie rods?