Ford Focus 2005 model power steering

[Deleted]

Probably better directed to Karl to be honest, but I am in the middle of changing the power steering pipes from the rack to the pump, I understand from previous experience about removing the pipe from the power steering pump, which is not my problem being experienced, the problem is that Ford have supplied new pipes and they are a different length, they tell me they need to be modified based on a technical bulletin that I am not aware of, would it be possible please to advise what Ford are referring to!! thanks. 

[Karl]

Do yours connect to an cooler ? They are extra pipes.

The Power steering pipes are different lengths but should be self explanatory

You also need the high pressure union for the pump.

Fit the union to the pump first

And then the pipes

They are a one time fit.

As lock into position

[Deleted]

Thanks Karl. The pipes are different lengths, they are self explanatory, one pipe has the metal end that inserts into the union nut after the nut is fitted, the one time fit, the other pipe is the rubber hose section that goes to the cooler.

The problem.

The hose that goes to the cooler is much longer than the original pipe/hose I have removed, like an extra foot as an estimate. I can't cut the pipe/hose down as the extra length is alloy leading to the hose, that goes to the cooler. Ford are trying to say there has been a modification and that I need to buy the new cooler?

The hose I have removed joins the cooler along the side of the front chassis near the air con pulley area, the new pipe/hose seems to want to go behind the front cross member area given the length of it?

But they also say that this modification is for the automatic version only based on the TSB, mine is the manual version (transmission). I've changed these before and not had this problem, something is definitely a miss on this job this time! 

[Karl]

There may be a tsb . But don't recall one. But will look. For you

Will probably add another £100 to the job

Sure I've had this too

Can't remember the reason though

[Deleted]

Thanks Karl I have a copy of the TSB if you want me to send it over!

[Karl]

No tsb , so only solution will be new cooler pipes

Probably just superseded

[Deleted]

What a nightmare this job has turned into, the correct pipes were delivered this morning then sent back because the boss did not leave a cheque to pay for them, now I have to wait for another deliver hopefully later this afternoon. 

Attachment Deleted

[Karl]

Strange. TSB can sometimes be removed for what ever reason.
Same with special instructions from time to time

You must have had the auto pipes delivered by mistake

[Deleted]

I don't really know what has if anything gone on between the staff at Ford and our place at the moment, but today I was assured by Ford I would get a delivery of the pipes twice, first by the driver on the morning van who said he would call back in an hour but never did, then the parts department advised me directly over the phone that the morning van was stuck somewhere in deep snow?

That was very questionable I thought, then I was told they are on the afternoon van but was not able to advise time of delivery, at around 4.0 pm our customer rang asking about the car and I said sorry pipes not turned up from Ford yet, so then I rang Ford again and they told me that the pipes which were on the 1.30 pm van for afternoon delivery had now been credited by the parts department and not ever sent for delivery, wait for it, then the guy in the parts department told me they had no van drivers to deliver the parts!

I've no idea what is happening at the moment, but Ford now tell me they are booked for the morning delivery tomorrow! I'll need to wait and see, very strange what has happened today! 

[Deleted]

Boss rang Ford this morning and was a bit high rate with them, don't know the outcome completely, but he said we don't order parts through them anymore and the boss has now written a new Ford dealer into the contacts, were they today have supplied the new pipes correct ones first time on time. Now at least that is one stressful job done and gone, now waiting for the next nightmare probably starts tomorrow, old Ford fiesta with no service brake pedal reserve travel. 

[valhalla]

Dec 14, 2017 20:29:05 GMT 1 @hybrid said:

Boss rang Ford this morning and was a bit high rate with them, don't know the outcome completely, but he said we don't order parts through them anymore and the boss has now written a new Ford dealer into the contacts, were they today have supplied the new pipes correct ones first time on time. Now at least that is one stressful job done and gone, now waiting for the next nightmare probably starts tomorrow, old Ford fiesta with no service brake pedal reserve travel. 

Not another of those again!!!! They must be like buses....

[Deleted]

Dec 14, 2017 23:53:35 GMT 1 valhalla said:

Dec 14, 2017 20:29:05 GMT 1 @hybrid said:

Boss rang Ford this morning and was a bit high rate with them, don't know the outcome completely, but he said we don't order parts through them anymore and the boss has now written a new Ford dealer into the contacts, were they today have supplied the new pipes correct ones first time on time. Now at least that is one stressful job done and gone, now waiting for the next nightmare probably starts tomorrow, old Ford fiesta with no service brake pedal reserve travel. 

Not another of those again!!!! They must be like buses....

You right, had two nightmares today, the old Fiesta I started with, turned out leaking rotted brake pipe on the rear, so usual stuff really, you know the ones that travel along the front and sides of the fuel tank to the flexible hoses. Made two new pipes and fitted, really good job, correct length pipes shaped and positioned properly using proper mounting brackets to secure them, then the boss comes along and says, leave that and change this alternator on a VW TDI, the customer wants it back for 2.00 pm and its now around 12.00, the boss says the book time is 0.7 hrs, I looked under the bonnet and the alternator is fitted underside the power steering pump, and over the top of the air conditioning compressor. To gain access to the top alternator 13 mm securing bolt, the air intake trucking from the inter cooler needs to be removed, OK only two spring clips but the one behind the offside headlamp is somewhat difficult to get at, then there is the power steering pump pulley which prevents you gaining access to the auxiliary drive belt floating tensioner, so that pulley needs to be removed, then the tensioner can be removed, then the air conditioning compressor needs to be removed and put to one side, the bottom alternator 13 mm bolt can be accessed without removal of the compressor but is much easier removed, however the floating belt tensioner has to be removed but only after the power steering pump has been removed completely because you can't get the tensioner out without the pump removed, then and only then can you gain access to the alternator top 13 mm bolt, now you struggle manipulating the alternator out between the coolant hoses and the front lower cross member, it will do it but a struggle. Don't forget to remove the wiring from the alternator!


On refitting the alternator (replacement unit) customer supplied secondhand don't forget to ensure the floating dowls in the alternator are fully back to ensure the alternator will mount to the mountings, forget this like me and you will cuss the job getting the alternator out again to tap back the dowls, it was a struggle. The job was finished by 1.55 pm and the engine running. I've done this job over 30 years, AD and their 0.7 decimal hours can go and take a long walk off a short peer   

Now back to the Fiesta brakes, one of the senior lads I work with, about two years older than me came to me when I was just about to start priming the brakes and he said, don't bleed them at the wheels just loosen the pipes unions where you made them and bleed the system from there!!

I said to him, politely, its OK I'll prime the brakes at the brake cylinders, then he said what happens if the bleed nipples break off, then I said well I can always warm them up if necessary, he then walked off. After priming the four wheels both circuits the brakes were properly restored, the pedal and its approximately 25 mm movement was restored and when servo assistance was there the pedal was like new in operation, to me a job well done, but I hate the people I have to work with sometimes.  

[Karl]

Boss is lucky you didn't want to go to lunch .

I don't mind helping out from time to time , to get stuff out the door

But don't take the p*ss

Would expect to leave early or time owed

[Deleted]

Me thinks I'll be taking it more serious about finding a new job in the New Year, or setting up on my own if I can find a decent Unit. Rumor has it at the moment that he is closing his other garage and more staff are moving over to our place in the New Year, one of the lads I work with recons the boss is going to do the mot testing and I am going to be moved over to full time repairs! The other lad, a one car a day fix it man seems to think I am going to take on all the work load like the VW TDI alternator I did, stressed out all day every day like that, rushing them through, I don't think so, I'll be off like a shot.