hirvelam Posted Friday at 07:52 PM Report Share Posted Friday at 07:52 PM I bought a used 2011 SEL FWD Edge for my son, I noticed the car was pulling to the right and took it for an alignment. They informed me that the steering rack was leaking and that it needed ball joints and lower control arms replaced. I figured I would do all the work at once. I dropped the front clip, replaced the rack with a new (not reman) unit, new sway bar links and bushings and lower control arms. I took it for an alignment and everything was looking good but I did notice that the steering was a little tight when turning one direction. I read that it could be because of air in the system that would eventually work itself out. This was all in December. Now the vehicle seems to have even harder steering and I have read that if the rack was leaking for a long time that the pump may have failed leaving it unable to provide the necessary pressure to assist the steering properly and that changing the PSP should alleviate. Having seen the location of the PSP it sucks to access. I wanted to see if anyone has experienced this and what they may have done to correct it. The shop that recently looked at it said it might be an electric steering assist issue, however I believe it is only a hydraulic system. Any help would be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haz Posted yesterday at 07:42 PM Report Share Posted yesterday at 07:42 PM (edited) Welcome to the Forum @hirvelam! You are correct that the power steering system on your son's 2011 Edge is entirely hydraulic, and it is not an electrical Electronic Power Assist Steering (EPAS) system. Relevant sections from the 2011 Edge Workshop Manual, attached below and in an immediately following post as PDF documents, should be helpful to you. Included are procedures on power steering system filling, flushing, and purging, with the latter procedure describing the importance of removing trapped air.. NOTICE: If the air is not purged from the power steering system correctly, premature power steering pump failure may result. The condition may occur on pre-delivery vehicles with evidence of aerated fluid or on vehicles that have had steering component repairs. After you are confident trapped air has been fully purged from the system, you may use the Diagnosis and Testing document's Pinpoint Test A, which assesses the symptom(s) you describe and may help you to determine if a replacement power steering pump is recommeded... Pinpoint Test A: Steering Has Lack of Assist or Inconsistent Assist NOTE: Hard steering or lack of assist is experienced when the steering wheel effort is higher than normal. Hard steering can remain constant through the full turn, occur near the end of a turn or differ right to left. This pinpoint test is intended to diagnose the following: Power steering fluid contamination Steering gear Power steering pump Power steering hoses PINPOINT TEST A : STEERING HAS LACK OF ASSIST OR INCONSISTENT ASSIST A1 CHECK FOR POWER STEERING FLUID CONTAMINATION Check the power steering fluid for contamination. Is the power steering fluid contaminated? Yes FLUSH the power steering system. REFER to Power Steering System Flushing in this section. CHECK the system for normal operation. If assist concern still exists, GO to A2. No GO to A2. A2 CHECK THE STEERING ASSIST WITH THE ENGINE RPM RAISED NOTICE: Do not hold the steering wheel at the stops for an extended amount of time. Damage to the power steering pump may occur. Set the engine at 2,100 rpm and turn the steering wheel fully to the left and right. Is steering assist fully restored to normal with the engine rpm raised? Yes INSTALL a new power steering pump. REFER to Section 211-02. No GO to A3. A3 CHECK FOR A CHANGE OF ASSIST ON LEFT AND RIGHT TURNS With the engine at idle, turn the steering wheel fully to the left and to the right. Does the steering assist change when turning from right to left? Yes INSTALL a new steering gear. REFER to Section 211-02. No GO to A4. A4 CHECK THE STEERING LINES AND HOSES FOR RESTRICTIONS Inspect the steering lines and hoses for damage, kinks or restrictions. Are the steering lines or hoses damaged, kinked or restricted? Yes INSTALL new lines or hoses as necessary. No GO to A5. A5 MONITOR THE ENGINE RPM CHANGES NOTICE: Do not hold the steering wheel at the stops for an extended amount of time. Damage to the power steering pump may occur. NOTE: Make sure that the vehicle is on a flat dry surface, all accessories are in the OFF position and that the steering system is at normal operating temperature. Connect the scan tool. Start the engine. With the engine at idle, raise the power steering fluid temperature to 74-80°C (165-176°F) by rotating the steering wheel fully to the left and right several times. Enter the following diagnostic mode on the scan tool: DataLogger — PCM . Monitor the Engine Revolutions Per Minute (RPM) PID while turning the steering wheel quickly to the left stop position and then to the right stop position. Note the engine rpm during the turns. Does the engine rpm change (even temporarily) more than 30 rpm when turning the steering wheel? Yes INSTALL a new steering gear. REFER to Section 211-02. No INSTALL a new power steering pump. REFER to Section 211-02. If it proves necessary, the Removal and Installation procedure for the power steering pump is also attached below. Link to this FordParts webpage Specifications - Steering System - 2011 Edge Workshop Manual.pdf Specifications - Power Steering - 2011 Edge Workshop Manual.pdf Power Steering - Description and Operation - 2011 Edge Workshop Manual.pdf Steering System - Diagnosis and Testing - 2011 Edge Workshop Manual.pdf Power Steering System Flushing - Steering System General Procedures - 2011 Edge Workshop Manual.pdf Power Steering System Purging - Steering System General Procedures - 2011 Edge Workshop Manual.pdf Power Steering System Filling - Steering System General Procedures - 2011 Edge Workshop Manual.pdf Power Steering Fluid Reservoir - Removal and Installation - 2011 Edge Workshop Manual.pdf Power Steering Pump - Removal and Installation - 2011 Edge Workshop Manual.pdf Front End Body Panels — Exploded View - Removal and Installation - 2011 Edge Workshop Manual.pdf Fender Splash Shield - Removal and Installation - 2011 Edge Workshop Manual.pdf Power Steering Pump to Steering Gear Pressure Line - Removal and Installation - 2011 Edge Workshop Manual.pdf Upper Intake Manifold - 3.5L - Removal and Installation - 2011 Edge Workshop Manual.pdf Edited 23 hours ago by Haz 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haz Posted yesterday at 07:43 PM Report Share Posted yesterday at 07:43 PM Additional Workshop Manual sections... Good luck! Engine Appearance Cover — Exploded View - 3.5L - Removal and Installation - 2011 Edge Workshop Manual.pdf Air Cleaner Outlet Pipe - 3.5L - Removal and Installation - 2011 Edge Workshop Manual.pdf Intake Air System Components — Exploded View - 3.5L - Removal and Installation - 2011 Edge Workshop Manual.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.