So i want to buy a power-steering rack for my 1987 fc n/a and the vin # is below 550168. according to rockauto they only have rack for vin above 550169. my question is that is there any significant difference? both has 3 ports. anyone ran into this issue?

 

Interesting. I learn something new every day. When comparing the specs provided by Rockauto, I noticed for rack with serial # to 550168 the hose port type is washer and the input shaft length is 2.25 inches, and for rack with serial # from 550169 the hose port type is o-ring and the input shaft length is 2.69 inches. So, looks like main difference is 0.44 inch delta in input shaft length between these two racks. That got me wondering if there were a difference in intermediate steering shafts for these different serial numbers, but there is not. I would venture to say that they're probably interchangeable if it were not for the hose port type.

 

what do u mean by port type is washer.

 

Scroll to the bottom of webpage for each link. The table lists Hose Port Type of o-ring for p/n 261943 and washer for p/n 262008. I suppose these refer to the type of gasket where the hose connects to the rack. It's not clear to me.

CARDONE 262008
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...sn=372&jsn=372

CARDONE 261943
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...sn=373&jsn=373

Further checking shows that Mazda lists same p/n's for all the PS hoses for these two serial number ranges. So, I don't know why Cardone lists two different hose port types. I'm not familiar with the S4 rack.

Also, Mazda lists two different PS pumps for each serial number range. So, maybe these two PS rack and pinion systems are made by different manufacturers. .

 

That info was taken from the table provided in part listing from Cardone:

CARDONE 262008
To Serial # 550168; w/ Hydraulic Power Steering
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...192339&jsn=360
Hose Port Type: Washer
Input Shaft Length (in): 2.25

CARDONE 261943
From Serial #(s) 550169; w/ Hydraulic Power Steering
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...192339&jsn=361
Hose Port Type: O-Ring
Input Shaft Length (in): 2.69

I thought the PS hoses might be different for each of these, but Mazda lists the same PS hoses for all serial numbers for '86-'88. So, I don't know what Cardone is referring to when they list washer and o-ring.

Mazda also lists a different PS pump for each serial number range. So, it looks like there might have been either a design change or manufacturer change in PS system for each of these serial number ranges.

 

What's going on with this website? I post a reply, it's there and then it's gone!

 

the car i'm doing right now is an 89 and it had o rings on the banjo bolts, which was a bit weird