Why Are Mechanics Unwilling or Highly Skeptical of buying remanufactured steering racks from auto part wholesalers for my 2014 Lincoln MKZ?
I know that the electronic steering racks have to be programmed by Ford or Lincoln. I did look up several auto parts stores online and they all have a guarantee with their steering racks. It almost sounds like Ford or Lincoln won't program any steering racks but their own or there have been too many bad experiences?! I am a little frustrated because there is such a BIG price difference as I will share below. My car only has a little over 107K miles on it, I keep it well-maintained, and there were no warning signs that the steering was going to go. I've owned many other lower-end luxury cars over the years and have never had to replace a steering rack or anything that expensive at this mileage. According to a Lincoln MKZ group I joined on FB, members say, steering racks are a common problem with the Lincoln MKZ. If that is the case, why on earth isn't there a recall or a drastic price reduction so people aren't so turned off from buying Lincolns in the future?! I certainly won't buy another Lincoln. I rarely complain about car repairs unless I feel like something doesn't seem right, and why I reached out to you Scotty!
In the last year I've replaced the shocks, brakes, battery, shift cable bushing, rear seat (should've been a recall), splash guard, tires, fixed all open recalls, and got a tune-up. Once I get the steering fixed I will have spent around $8k in the last year. That just seems excessive to me, well beyond someone saying..."it is a Lincoln." I bought the Lincoln MKZ used at a dealer, I looked at the car history, reliability on several reputable websites, reviews by owners, and complaints which 2014 had the fewest of all the years and nothing major, and compared the pricing at other dealers. Absolutely nothing about steering rack problems at the time or the cost involved when I researched the vehicle and to be fair the vehicle was problem-free for a couple of years other than tires and basic stuff. I guess I am irritated because the MKZ is pretty much a Ford Fusion with few extra bells and whistles and I heard good things about the Fusion. I felt good about buying something decent that was American-made. IDK
Ford/Lincoln Dealer Steering Rack Pricing $2,400 - $3,600 (not including labor)
Auto Parts Stores Steering Rack Pricing $499 - $949 (not including labor or programming)
Car Details
2014 Lincoln MKZ 2.0 Turbo AWD w/107k miles
Scotty, after watching your videos for a while I finally decided to purchase a new Toyota Camry Hybrid last month, not crazy about the CVT, but I like the car so far.
Why Are Mechanics Unwilling or Highly Skeptical of buying remanufactured steering racks from auto part wholesalers for my 2014 Lincoln MKZ?
If they're done by third-party manufacturers, which I'm assuming yours would be, they're liable to break again before their time. The only real way to fix a steering rack is to use an OEM rack, either remanufactured or new. O'Reilly, etc. pays the lowest bidder to remanufacture parts. You get what you pay for, and the mechanics don't want to mess with aftermarket stuff that takes hours to fix and charge you more for if it breaks again. Nobody works for free, even if it's "guaranteed " to work, there's no written warranty to go along with it. You need to take it back apart if it fails again.
My father-in-law's fuel pump went out a year and a half ago, and the mechanic we use wouldn't accept anything but an OEM fuel pump if he got it himself. He has an old E-350. It's the same idea. The mechanic will charge you to replace another rack, it's not on them, and they don't want an irate customer if it fails.
In the last year I've replaced the shocks, brakes, battery, shift cable bushing
Those are mostly wear and tear items. Do you live in a pothole prone area?
, splash guard, tires
Also wear and tear, it definitely sounds like you live somewhere pothole prone.
rear seat (should've been a recall)
I can't comment on this one, I had a 2013 Ford Fusion, it seemed to be fine.
I guess I am not understanding the difference between the dealer OEM steering rack vs the auto parts store one, aren't they the same?
No, a steering rack "rebuilt" by the lowest bidder that AutoZone etc. can come up with is not going to be the same as a steering rack remanufactured by the factory. You can also see this with old-style steering gear boxes where the auto parts store rebuilt offerings are frequently as bad or worse than what you're replacing.
Also, the other parts I had replaced wasn't a complaint I know those are wear and tear items, but with the steering rack just surprised me is all.
Ford products have a history of problems developing with their electronic power steering systems.
. I guess I am not understanding the difference between the dealer OEM steering rack vs the auto parts store one, aren't they the same?
You might look on RockAuto for a steering rack, that way you could shave off the dealer's guaranteed markup. Look for a Motorcraft steering rack, either remanufactured or brand new.
I believe auto parts sell OEM steering racks, mechanics are saying they only want to buy the part from the dealer which is an insane price for what the car is, it wasn't an expensive luxury car to buy new, but it sure is expensive to maintain. I guess I am not understanding the difference between the dealer OEM steering rack vs the auto parts store one, aren't they the same? Also, the other parts I had replaced wasn't a complaint I know those are wear and tear items, but with the steering rack just surprised me is all.
I live in Maine, pot holes and all kinds of different weather up here. I certainly appreciate the input! I am a little bitter toward Lincoln right now, I was going to either sell the mkz or trade it for another car more suited for my daughter. I wanted to wait just a little longer for car prices to come down.
Living in Maine could also be a factor in why your steering rack went bad so quickly. Every time you hit potholes, the whole car is affected. The rack is basically jolted. I live in Ohio, myself, and I mainly drive in an old 1999 Ranger Off-Road. We have potholes too, and the truck is more durable than cars. I also have a 2017 Mustang, but I rarely drive that.
Thanks for the info everyone. I don't want people to think I am directing any frustration toward mechanics...I was just curious why there is such an insane price difference. I understand a little better now, but knowing this is a common problem with the MKZ and how much the cost has jumped in the last year for a steering rack replacement makes people like myself lose trust in brands such as Lincoln/Ford going forward. I talked with other people who have the same car and only paid $1500 (used or remanurfactured) - $2700 (dealer) with labor included and this wasn't too long ago, Maine dealers are much higher when you factor in labor and because Mainers don't have many options they pay the ridiculous prices. I have been going back and forth whether to fix the steering rack or not and sell it as is. idk
Justin, I like trucks, and it would be better up here with all the nasty potholes and rough roads at times, but I will be traveling a lot in the upcoming months, this is why I bought a Camry. I may consider a truck down the road, but I've got to get my daughter a car first.