Steering - High Turning Effort

STEERING - HEAVY (HIGH) EFFORT Article No.
87-3-6

FORD 1986-87 TAURUS

LINCOLN-MERCURY 1986-87 SABLE


ISSUE: Reports from the field tell us that steering gear yokes are being adjusted on the 1986-87 Taurus/Sable to satisfy customer concerns of heavy steering efforts. Technicians should note that the yoke adjustment has NO affect on steering efforts.

ACTION: If steering efforts are normal, helping the customer to understand the design intent of the Taurus/Sable may resolve the steering concern. The following article, written by the Ford Vehicle Development Office may be used to help explain this to your customer.

Taurus and Sable Steering Effort

Taurus and Sable steering systems represents a totally new approach for an Americanmanufactured family car. Patterned after some of the characteristics of fine European sedans, it affords the driver with a new dimension in precision and down-the-road feel, with exceptional handling and vehicle dynamics during transitional or avoidance maneuvers.

Part of the Taurus and Sable feel of steering confidence is due to the "effort" which the driver experiences. Should the effort be lowered appreciably, the vehicle would seem overresponsive to rapid steering wheel input, resulting in an unstable feel.

Thus, Taurus and Sable vehicle dynamics are a careful blend of suspension component tuning, tire dynamic characteristics, and of course, steering rates and corresponding effort, which has been optimized to produce the most dramatic and talked about handling characteristics of any Americanmade family car.

OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: None
WARRANTY STATUS: "INFORMATION ONLY"