Steering & Suspension Inspection

Older RWD Sedan Steering Box Inspection – Crown Vic, Impala, Grand Marquis

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The Ford Crown Victoria, Chevrolet Impala SS and Mercury Grand Marquis are common on used car lots, in fleets and as retired police cars. These rear-wheel-drive full-size sedans use a recirculating ball steering gearbox instead of rack-and-pinion. The gearbox is durable, but at 15+ years and 150,000+ miles it develops play and leaks. This guide covers the inspection.

What the driver feels

  1. Excessive play in the steering wheel before the front tires respond
  2. A clunk or knock when going over bumps that seems to come from the steering box
  3. The steering wanders on the highway, requiring constant corrections
  4. A red fluid leak under the driver’s side frame rail
  5. Hard or stiff steering when the engine is cold
  6. The steering does not return to center after a turn
  7. A groan or whine when turning the wheel at low speed
  8. The car drifts to one side after alignment

The Crown Victoria and Grand Marquis use a Ford recirculating ball steering gearbox that is known for lasting over 200,000 miles when maintained. But at 15 years, the sector shaft seal starts to leak, and the worm gear bushings wear, which creates play at the steering wheel. On retired police Crown Victorias that sat idling for years, the gearbox fluid gets burnt and the bearings score.

The Impala SS and later Impalas use a rack-and-pinion, but earlier RWD GM B-bodies used a steering gearbox as well. The common failure on these cars is the idler arm on the passenger side, which wears and causes wander. The tie rod adjusting sleeves also rust solid on Northern cars, which makes alignment impossible without replacing them.

How to inspect it

Safety note: Always set the parking brake and chock the wheels before getting under the vehicle. Use rated jack stands, never rely on a jack alone.

  • With the front wheels on the ground, start the engine and turn the steering wheel left and right about an inch. Watch the pitman arm under the truck.
  • If the steering wheel moves but the pitman arm does not, the gearbox has internal play.
  • If the pitman arm moves but the wheels do not, the idler arm or center link is worn.
  • Look at the bottom of the steering gearbox for red fluid weeping from the sector shaft seal.
  • Check the idler arm for vertical play by pushing up on the center link with a pry bar.
  • Inspect the tie rod adjusting sleeves for rust. If they are rusted solid, they cannot be aligned.
  • Check the power steering hoses and pump for leaks, as old rubber hoses degrade by 15 years.

Repair and replacement advice

  • Minor gearbox play can be adjusted by turning the top adjustment screw 1/8 turn at a time clockwise.
  • If adjusting does not remove the play, the gearbox needs rebuilding or replacement – typically $400-$700.
  • Replace the idler arm whenever you service the gearbox; they wear together.
  • Rusted tie rod sleeves must be cut off and replaced; do not try to heat them.
  • Flush the power steering fluid and replace the pressure hose on any 15+ year old RWD sedan.

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