I posted a reply in the "back to the vibration thread" yesterday explaining that my truck had the 42507 TSB performed. It did nothing except the steering wheel shimmies between 65-75mph now instead of just 70-75mph like before. The service guy said my truck has the older steering rack. My build date is 1/04. I know of the steering gear that was changed in 8/03. I am assuming the steering gear is a part within the steering rack. The dealer ordered the new steering rack. I am confused on this because to my knowledge ford has only updated the steering gear. Is the steering gear the same part as the steering rack? Thanks.

 

People are using gear and rack interchangably. Ford redesigned the the rack and pinion unit to reduce steering wheel nibble or shimmy.

 

I don't see how I can have the "old" rack/gear because my build date is after the change was made. The tech was not there when I picked the truck up to talk to him about it.

 

You can tell if your steering rack is the new design by looking at it from underneath the truck. Find the barcode label on it and look to see if there is a green paint dot near the barcode label. No dot = old version. Green dot = new version.

 

Thanks, I will go look.

 

I looked, mine has a green dot next to the bar code. I don't know what the dealer has ordered then.

 

Good question. I would like to know that myself. Keep us posted.

 

Well, I wrote down the bar code number and went to the dealer this morning to check my bar code against the new one that came in. The rack currently on the truck has a different bar code that the one that came in. Also the dot is a teal green color on the rack I have on the truck, whereas the new rack is a true green color. The guy in parts said these had been on backorder for a while and he was suprised they received one so quick.

Bar Code on rack that is on my truck is 02404033211

4X4 SOMM/REV DV

Does the different bar code mean this is for sure a different rack?

The new rack bar code starts with a 3, I did not write it down, but I will Monday. The new rack also had 4x4 SOMM/REV DP. Hopefully this will fix my intermittant nibble.

 

I read the older TSB for the nibble and it talks about if the bar codes first 5 digits are 21003 or higher it is the new rack. My racks first 5 digits are lower as mine starts with a zero. I wonder how I ended up with the older steering rack in my truck when my build date is 5 months after they supposedly started installing the updated racks. I am not too optimistic this will fix my truck.

 

My build date was 07/2004 and my steering rack barcode starts with 18304 with a light green dot. It also says 4 X 4 50MM/REV DN. I guess I must have the old version. I don't have any nibble or shimmy though (yet).

 

This is very strange. We have two trucks that were both built after 8/03 and neither have the "new rack". WTF is going on? If this rack does not fix my nibble I am going to part with this truck. I have already filled my DSB papers out, they will be in the mail Tuesday if it is not fixed on Monday.

 

TX660R, I hate to hear that you are going to do the DSB thing. Good luck with your case. Please raise the questions about the different versions of the steering rack with your service manager, I would like to know what the correct information is. Thanks.

 

Guys,

As much complaining that goes on here, about guys like us complaining, I love this site!

I just checked my steering rack, I have:

1060439621 4X4 50MM/REV DN light greenish/blue dot (Teal maybe?)

My truck build date is 04/04. So, there’s a chance that I have an old rack. That means there’s HOPE!

I don’t doubt that old style racks were used on newer builds than 03. I can’t imagine them throwing away parts, based on a potential problem. Most of the old racks are probably working fine.

I’m hoping you guys are right, I’m hoping it’s an old rack, and I’m hoping a new rack fixes the nibble! I’m calling my dealer 1st thing in the morning!

Thanks,

Chuck

 

I do not want to have to go the DSB route, but if this rack does not fix it, I feel like I have no choice because that will be the only way to get rid of the nibble. I really hope this fixes it. I will let you guys know, and I will try and find out how many versions of the rack Ford has out there. I believe it is only two.

 

Got my truck back today. So far so good, I do not want to speak too soon though. I may actually get full enjoyment out of my truck now. The nibble is gone for now.