Ford Performance steering rack install help

[shurdba]

Hope I can get some help with the install on the Ford Performance steering rack upgrade for a 22 Wildtrak. Yes, I have searched through most of the threads.

Ordered the upgraded rack, ProCal and labor through Ford Performance. Scheduled the service knowing it wouldn't be a one day job given the fact that the tech would need to contact Ford Performance for help with connecting the power steering to the vehicle. The Dealer said they have done one or two of them and where confident the job could be done. Twenty days later and nothing. The Dealer says that they can't get much help from Ford Performance and when I call Ford Performance tech line, they said they told the dealer what to do. The specific issues are well detailed in other threads. I've opened a case with Ford to intervene, but they said there was little they could do given that Ford Performance is essentially a third party. The Dealer say they are at a dead end and have now suggested I start working on a refund.

Any suggestions, comments or secret phone numbers would be appreciated. I'm flabbergasted that this can't be resolved.

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[Brian_B]

I think you have only two options really.

It's clear the dealer has tried everything they can. If you don't want to take it outside of the dealer, your best option probably is to pursue that refund.

That said, there are plenty of threads here which talk about exactly how to bypass the ProCal installation. It requires some specific software and tools, and many dealers aren't going to do it the unofficial way for fear of breaking something else and being blamed for it - but if you, or a third party mechanic, feel like picking it up - it's certainly doable.

This is the master thread for the steering rack
https://bronco6g.com/forum/threads/...nd-tie-rods-ford-performance-m-3200-wt.51284/

 

[shurdba]

Interesting. Thank you. I'll put some feelers out for a third party mechanic in Southern California.

 

[alzito]

Did you get just the Procal tool M-16255-F or the Procal Performace Tune M-9603-B23?

this Is a simple bolt off/bolt on installation with a software update and alignment, but there is a particular order of instructions that MUST be followed.

the one caveat that the dealer may have missed is that it is important to install the tool BEFORE removing the old rack and save the old (stock) configuration.
then they need to install the new rack and BEFORE tightening down the rack need to flash the new steering module using the Procal tool. They need the upgrade certificate.
then tighten everything and align the vehicle

good luck!

 

[ThunderFlash]

then they need to install the new rack and BEFORE tightening down the rack need to flash the new steering module using the Procal tool.

Curious since I'm planning to do my own installation, why does it need to be done before tightening it down?

 

[shurdba]

Did you get just the Procal tool M-16255-F or the Procal Performace Tune M-9603-B23?

this Is a simple bolt off/bolt on installation with a software update and alignment, but there is a particular order of instructions that MUST be followed.

the one caveat that the dealer may have missed is that it is important to install the tool BEFORE removing the old rack and save the old (stock) configuration.
then they need to install the new rack and BEFORE tightening down the rack need to flash the new steering module using the Procal tool. They need the upgrade certificate.
then tighten everything and align the vehicle

good luck!

M-9603-B27 for the 2.7L engine configuration. The B23 is for the four banger.

 

[shurdba]

Did you get just the Procal tool M-16255-F or the Procal Performace Tune M-9603-B23?

this Is a simple bolt off/bolt on installation with a software update and alignment, but there is a particular order of instructions that MUST be followed.

the one caveat that the dealer may have missed is that it is important to install the tool BEFORE removing the old rack and save the old (stock) configuration.
then they need to install the new rack and BEFORE tightening down the rack need to flash the new steering module using the Procal tool. They need the upgrade certificate.
then tighten everything and align the vehicle

good luck!

Al: If the Procal installation was done out of sequence, is there a fix? Can the procal be uninstalled and then done right? The tech says he followed the correct sequence, but who knows.

 

[Snacktime]

Put the stock rack back in and get a refund. Odds are your bronco may not be compatible with the rack procal software. Certain 2021-2022 have issues with procal and you have to do work arounds.

 

[Neps]

Steve can I ask which dealer you've been working with?

I want to have the upgrade installed, but can't find a local dealer who can do it. Closest I found was Galpin Performance in Van Nuys.

 

[shurdba]

Steve can I ask which dealer you've been working with?

I want to have the upgrade installed, but can't find a local dealer who can do it. Closest I found was Galpin Performance in Van Nuys.

Ken Grody Ford in Carlsbad. The Steering rack plus labor was around $2000. Ford performance offers a 50% off on labor with selected dealers. I thought that was reasonable. The Bronco has been sitting in their yard for 20 days and I wonder if they would take another steering rack. They're not happy with it sitting in a bay for 20 days waiting for a return call from Ford Performance. Looking through the threads, someone mentioned Ken Grody Buena Park has a tech that does these more frequently. Snacktime has given me pause on the question of if my 21-22 Wildtrak pedigree is the problem. I may have to give up and look at the BroncBuster set up.

 

[shurdba]

Put the stock rack back in and get a refund. Odds are your bronco may not be compatible with the rack procal software. Certain 2021-2022 have issues with procal and you have to do work arounds.

That's exactly what if feels like. You would think either the dealer or Ford Performance would identify that issue and advise. I may have to reluctantly take your advice.

 

[Brian_B]

This is the master thread for the steering rack
https://bronco6g.com/forum/threads/...nd-tie-rods-ford-performance-m-3200-wt.51284/

This method works even for the 21-22 models where procal will not. Dealers are usually not comfortable doing it though, since it's not the official way

 

[alzito]

Al: If the Procal installation was done out of sequence, is there a fix? Can the procal be uninstalled and then done right? The tech says he followed the correct sequence, but who knows.

Shoot, I am not sure, It seems to me if the new rack is NOT working from a programming standpoint that the vehicle is stuck in original configuration, so in that case yes they need to start again with the proper process. Hard to tell/understand without knowing what the tech did and where the vehicle is now. Have they tried putting the original rack back in and if so does everything work properly? If so maybe its time for a different dealer that has better experience with this. you have been a guinea pig long enough. By the way, I would think that they should be able to read vehicle config with their FDRS system.... FORD Performance TECH line is 800-367-3778

 

[alzito]

Curious since I'm planning to do my own installation, why does it need to be done before tightening it down?

It’s In the install process. In my mind it should not make a difference but in this case following the install instructions might be worthwhile. And since I am not a Ford software engineer and do not have access to the code I can’t give you the bottom line details. Sorry For that.
if you can do a favor and post the installation instructions in this thread that would be great.
Thinking out loud, mechanically it’s not a problem the issues come up with the programming side Like SHURDBA is experiencing. The computer code for the vehicle is quite complicated and it must be pretty difficult for Ford to keep track of the status of every vehicle that has been changed from original/as delivered and as updated by Ford updates for every Ford vehicle. It’s one of the reasons that I stay away from Forscan (Russian hack program) Or aftermarket performance tunes.

 

[aldoavme]

I had the same issue. I called ford performance and they said it was a known issue with 22' trucks. So what he had me do was download a program on my computer where he could control it remotely and have me plug in my ford programmer. He then downloaded a couple for things and entered in a bunch of coding. worked like a champ super helpful guy

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