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How To Fix Ford Escape Electric Power Steering

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#21 · (Edited by Moderator)
I just wanted to confirm that this fixed my problem as well. My wife's steering wheel was shaking from left to right while idling.

It was the torque sensor. I will say that the dorman sensor he used in the post is discounted. I had to buy it from Tasca Parts and it was listed under the OEM part number not the Dorman number. I don't remember the number off hand but it was easy to find.

Also you DO NOT have to remove the steering wheel from the Collume Or air bag from the wheel itself. This is a super easy and basic fix. But you will need a very large set of snap ring pliers.

How that helps!
 
#22 ·
Mrewubbsz said:
I just wanted to confirm that this fixed my problem as well.
My wife's steering wheel was shaking from left to right while ideling.
It was the torque sensor.
I will say that the dorman sensor he used in the post is discounted. I had to buy it from Tasca Parts and it was listed under the OEM part number not the Dorman number.
I don't remember the number off hand but it was easy to find.
Also you DO NOT have to remove the steering wheel from the Collume Or air bag from the wheel itsself.
This is a super easy and basic fix.
But you will need a very large set of snap ring pliers.
How that helps!
Click to expand...

Hope this helps*
 
#25 ·
Mc4ndy said:
I cant seem to find that torque sensor anywhere...if somebody knows where i can buy it, help please...
Click to expand...
I attached a link to the site I bought mine from. Just in case the link doesn't work for whatever reason here is the OEM part number CL8Z-3F818-A SENSOR - STEERING ROTATION
Also make sure you read my post in this thread about it. You do not have to do everything the guy in this video did.
http://www.tascaparts.com/oe-ford/cl8z3f818a
 
#28 ·
Mc4ndy said:
Thank you
I found the piece. Now im facing another problem. I changed the sensor but it didnt fix the problem. I was wondering if anybody experinced the same problem. What should i do?!?
Click to expand...
You just wasted your money because it's a 50/50 chance JUST the sensor is bad. A lot of times the motor goes bad with it too. Like I said above, I found a used column WITH WARRANTY on www.car-part.com for $75 with 50k miles on it, swapped it in an hour, everything is good, 4 months and counting.
 
#29 ·
I have a 2007 Escape Hybrid....which I do love. The 2007 Escape hybrids only were given the electrical power steering system. Yesterday, the power steering left without warning (I had just exited my driveway). There was no shaking -- it was just gone. Restarting it did nothing but make the little white wrench appear. However, I was able to turn the wheel a bit to get it back in the driveway. Getting the car to turn back into the driveway was a challenge because I am not strong enough, a male friend was able to turn them in a full range of motion. I am hopeful this means I only have a sensor problem.

I am curious to know if any of your cars were hybrids and what year they were.

Because my car is a 2007, the Escape Hybrids had an electrical power steering none of the Parts companies seem to have the parts when I write 2007 when they ask for 'year'.

I suspect that the same electrical system that I have was then used in the 2008's which was recalled....but the recall does not apply to my 2007

First I want to than those of you who have posted here and to ask if you think the fact that my car is a hybrid matters?

I am also having a hard time finding a mechanic who will tackle this. If anyone knows of someone in LA - Hollywood, I would be grateful. I had one mechanic say he has never done it, but is game to try. I am sending him this link tomorrow.

As an FYI:, the repair for just the sensor at the dealer is just under $1000 (the part alone is $800) and of the entire system has to be replaced, it would be $3500. I live in Los Angeles.
 
#30 ·
Guys please go to safecar.gov and file a complaint against Ford. When they did the recall on the power steering some people had their columns replaced under the recall only if it was giving problems at the time. If not, then you got the software update, which closes out the recall, then a few months later you start having problems and they say sorry fork up the cash.
In addition I filed a complaints with BBB

Please note Ford's software update is still under investigation by NHTSA , see attached file, So keep your receipts. Hopefully they will do a second recall but they need the complaints on file or else nothing will get done.

I had mine repaired at the dealer. It cost 1219.00 plus the initial diagnostic was $106 which is waived but at time I did not have 1200 bucks in my pocket.This is in Florida.

Another thing is to file report with BBB, we need to put pressure on Ford for their defective steering issues. There is a new recall on other makes of Ford as well, if you own one DO NOT DO THE RECALL UNTIL IT STARTS GIVING PROBLEMS AND LOCKUP UP.

Looking for someone to start a class action. There's one in California I believe and the judge denied Fords request to dismiss the case. So keep checking. I do not know any other make vehicle that has so much problems with electronic steering
Also contact you states Attorney General and files a complaint.
 

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#31 ·
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#32 ·
I too used the instructions here -- thank you all! 2008 Escape, about 175K miles.

I bought a used column and used only the lower section (said 2012 with 12k miles, but it looks older, else it was left sitting for a while).

Took off lower panel (snaps), column cover (three 5mm screws), a brace (four 10mm bolts), and two large Torx bolts (T-45 I believe). That gets the upper column out.

The lower was a little harder, but takes only on long pivot bolt (13mm) and the steering pinch bolt (also 13mm). There are 3 wiring connectors, of which only 2 need to be removed.

If you buy a whole used column as I did, you may have some choices on which pinch bolt to remove, but I did the one furthest up.

It takes a little contortion like any under-dash work, but not bad really. It's a little heavy and unwieldy, and 3 hands would have helped.

I'd say it took me 2 hours total, but the next one would be an hour, as I spent a good bit of time finding the right tools, and I was worried about the clock spring when re-inserting the upper so I played with it for a while.

Worked first try, and the service light went off too, as expected since I'd disconnected the battery. So far, so good.
 
#33 ·
Mrewubbsz said:
I just wanted to confirm that this fixed my problem as well.
My wife's steering wheel was shaking from left to right while ideling.
It was the torque sensor.
I will say that the dorman sensor he used in the post is discounted. I had to buy it from Tasca Parts and it was listed under the OEM part number not the Dorman number.
I don't remember the number off hand but it was easy to find.
Also you DO NOT have to remove the steering wheel from the Collume Or air bag from the wheel itsself.
This is a super easy and basic fix.
But you will need a very large set of snap ring pliers.
How that helps!
Click to expand...
Thanks for info. This with the original post helped me replace the torque sensor. The bad news however is that this doesn't seem to have solved my issue. After a short test drive I am still with out power steering. Did you need to do any sort of calibration or anything? Just curious and looking for what to try next. This is on a 2008 escape.
 
#34 ·
rbergy said:
Thanks for info. This with the original post helped me replace the torque sensor. The bad news however is that this doesn't seem to have solved my issue. After a short test drive I am still with out power steering. Did you need to do any sort of calibration or anything? Just curious and looking for what to try next. This is on a 2008 escape.
Click to expand...
I didn't have to do any calibration. I was ultra carefully when placing the sensor in though. I made sure not to bump it or move it in anyway.
Sorry it didn't fix your issue
 
#35 ·
Ford has the torque sensor, or as they list is "Angle Sensor", its ~$225 US. Replaced it and no luck. Power steering was dead before, no blown fuses etc., still dead power assist after replacement of the sensor. Ford dealer wanted ~$1000 for both the steering column and a retro or update kit to make the car I have (2009 Escape Limited), then there would be tax on top (close to $1100 US). I went online and searched used auto parts and came across some sites that search junkyards country wide, results show proximity, condition, price, etc. Was able to get the whole column from a car 2 years newer with 70K less miles with a warranty for $135. It only takes ~ 2 hours to replace (first time), now I could do it in 1 hour..

So my point, Just replace the entire electric steering unit. Don't waste the time and $ on the sensor. If you decide to do the sensor make sure you have a "Large" pair of snap ring pliers! and read the instructions with the new sensor carefully.
 
#36 ·
#37 ·
Erchacaz said:
Hi dan22, I'm from Panama and I've found your manual ver useful, but now I'm facing one problem: after changing the torque sensor, the steering wheel goes straight to the right position and you need to keep the steering wheel to control it while driving . Did anyone had this issue before?
Click to expand...
Check the installation video that I just posted. It seems like you've got the sensor a bit out of alignment. The video shows how to install it in just the right position, and how to tell when it is...
 
#38 ·
shutch said:
Hi dan22
I replaced the torque sensor using your video, as my power steering had failed and my wheel was shaking like crazy etc. After the new part was installed it is doing as described above-steering wheel spins all the way to one side. We put back in the original faulty ford sensor when the recall came out and i took it to a dealership. The steering wheel also spins to one side now with the original part back in. The shaking wheel and power steering fail is not obvious now because of that. I am driving it now with the fuse pulled for power steering and no power steering at all. The dealership is refusing to do the repair on the recall because they say they aren't getting the right diagnostic codes. They say I need to have them put in a new torque sensor for me at the cost of 500$ even though the recall is for failed power steering, which is why I was trying to repair it. Apparently, even though the steering wheel spins one way, they are getting no diagnostic codes for a faulty torque sensor. I was ecstatic that they finally did this recall, and now they refuse to fix my steering. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
Check the video I just posted. It seems your issue is due to bad alignment of the sensor, and shows you how to install it in the correct position...
 
#39 ·
Barry W said:
You just wasted your money because it's a 50/50 chance JUST the sensor is bad. A lot of times the motor goes bad with it too. Like I said above, I found a used column WITH WARRANTY on www.car-part.com for $75 with 50k miles on it, swapped it in an hour, everything is good, 4 months and counting.
Click to expand...
Is there an instructional video for swapping out the lower column? I can't find one online but would like to attempt it.
 
#40 ·
Mrewubbsz said:
I just wanted to confirm that this fixed my problem as well.
My wife's steering wheel was shaking from left to right while ideling.
It was the torque sensor.
I will say that the dorman sensor he used in the post is discounted. I had to buy it from Tasca Parts and it was listed under the OEM part number not the Dorman number.
I don't remember the number off hand but it was easy to find.
Also you DO NOT have to remove the steering wheel from the Collume Or air bag from the wheel itsself.
This is a super easy and basic fix.
But you will need a very large set of snap ring pliers.
How that helps!
Click to expand...
Is there a video for doing it without removing the airbag and everything else? The way you did it ?
 
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