Ford People / Car Guys [My Grandpa's Lincoln] 03 signature town car, steering got fun

[Gumby]

Ford People / Car Guys [My Grandpa's Lincoln] 03 signature town car, steering got funny one day, like it hit rough spots at times, changed nasty fluid and it went away. Came back after a while, tried fluid again and no change. And have just ignored it. Finally changed the PS pump. [ total cluster F, Ford is the only one who makes that pump, as it was like a 1yr deal, so no one re-pops it for less] old one did spin free then hit a rough spot, spin free, kinda like how it was, it would turn ok then hit a rough spot.

Ok new pump is in and it turns fine, no more rough spots. But he says its still not easy. But I have no idea. Uncle and Mom both think its about normal, though it is not easy like my 30yr old big Buick that can be driven with one finger. It does take effort to turn the wheel but not like when a PS goes out on a GM, at slow speed you can crank the wheel from side to side rocking the boat with just a bit of effort.

Everyone including good mechanics say it can't be the rack, they either work or they don't, and the first thing you notice is the wheel is now cocked to go straight.

[50adrod]

i worked for ford for 33 years and those are famous for binding ball joints, grease or replace. it has been a few months hope you got it figured out

[68C15]

did you get ALL the air purged from the fluid?

[Gumby]

THey did everything possiable 3 times over, turns out it was just the linkage for the steering shaft, no protective boot, just bare metal next to a hot header.