Taurus/Sable Maintenance & Repair

2996 messages,  Last post on Dec 01, 2012 at 9:47 AM

You are in the Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable Forum.

What is this discussion about? Ford Taurus, Mercury Sable, Sedan, Wagon

#2602 of 2996 2000 Sable Power Steering Pump Noise by w9cw

Mar 02, 2007 (9:37 am)

Last week, my wife and I purchased a 2000 Mercury Sable LS Premium for our daughter who recently graduated from university. It has the 3.0L Duratec 24V V6, and the AX4N transaxle. The car was purchased from a private party, and has 36K on the clock.
 
Apparently, power steering pump problems are quite typical for the vehicle. The PS pump makes quite a bit of noise when the steering is on center, but more so when turning from lock to lock. From my experience, it sounds like an aeration and cavitation problem, rather than an actual PS pump failure. I know the Ford shop manual specifically goes through the purging/bleeding procedure thoroughly for this system.
 
I took it to a good independent shop, and they stated that there's also a screen in the external PS fluid reservoir that can become clogged which can exacerbate the problem. Moreover, the specified PS fluid is Ford-spec MERCON ATF, and I will be willing to bet the previous owner used standard PS fluid to top the system off in past years from the looks of the fluid in the external reservoir.
 
The shop's first step is to flush the existing fluid, clean the screen in the reservoir, and then refill with ATF, and bleed the system. And, then go from there . . .
 
Any thoughts on this from anyone more experienced with this on the Sable and Taurus with the non-integrated PS pump/reservoir system would be greatly appreciated.

#2603 of 2996 Re: 2000 Sable Power Steering Pump Noise [w9cw] by danielj6

Mar 02, 2007 (9:34 pm)

Replying to: w9cw (Mar 02, 2007 9:37 am)
My 2000 Sable wagon had the same problem you describe. After replacing the steering fluid pump and bleeding the system, the next step would've been replacing the rack and pinion. The noise became was loud only while turning the steering wheel.
 
I never found out the precise fix for the problem because after a collision the car was unfortunately declared a total loss.

#2604 of 2996 icezman by blkwing

Mar 02, 2007 (9:38 pm)

does anyone out there know what type of transmission is in a standard ford taurus gl year 1995 3.0 litre please help pending finding right transmission for afriend

#2605 of 2996 Re: icezman [blkwing] by geoff813

Mar 04, 2007 (11:57 am)

Replying to: blkwing (Mar 02, 2007 9:38 pm)
There are 2 versions used 94-95. The AX4N and AX4S. The ID tag and a parts yard with a Hollanders manual can get you the correct one. A 93 AX4S will also work but you have to change wiring at the plug. Just one of Ford's better ideas to confuse, confound and overcharge.

#2606 of 2996 cv joint/axle..........ball joint??? by bobby19

Mar 04, 2007 (6:26 pm)

Hi, my 1993 taurus started making that clicking sound when turning, I assumed it was the cv joint, so I took it to a shop and he 'said' he replaced both axles, the car still makes that noise so I take it back to him and he says that noise is the ball joint and its not really a big problem. Anyone out there know if this sounds reasonable?

#2607 of 2996 Did any of you people by the sable/taurus with the Good motor in it? 24V by jay24vdohc

Mar 08, 2007 (7:41 pm)

My 2000 Taurus has 125000 Miles. I have a 2000 Sable With 78000 Miles. They both have 24vDOHC Duratec Motor' s. They have 6 individual ignition coil's per cylinder. I had to replace one of them on my Taurus they are $100.00.The sable i put a coolant tank in it to shut my low coolant light off. And struts and ball joint' s. But that's the only problems i've had with the two cars. So if you get a sable or taurus Make sure it has a 24V DOHC Motor in it!!!

#2608 of 2996 perfomance parts, cold air, Anything?? by jay24vdohc

Mar 08, 2007 (7:48 pm)

I can't find anything for my 2000 Sable. It has a 24v DOHC.

#2609 of 2996 Re: ALternator/Electrical [ostafarrion] by jay24vdohc

Mar 08, 2007 (8:03 pm)

Replying to: ostafarrion (Feb 07, 2007 10:25 pm)
Do you still have the Alternator that came off the car before the problem? The pulley on the new alternator might be to small .

#2610 of 2996 trans fluid change by john_doe_wny

Mar 11, 2007 (9:25 am)

Hi, I have a 98 taurus with 122,900 miles that I'm going to get the trans fluid changed in. Now my question...Should I get all the fluid changed with a flush where they don't drop the pan and change the filter or should I just have them drop the pan and change the filter and just the fluid that comes out with the pan off? The last and only time the trans fluid (out of the pan) and filter was changed was at about 60,000 miles. Trans seems to down shifting alot when I let off the gas in slower traffic lately (30-40 mph). Thanks for your thoughts.

#2611 of 2996 What I did... by danford1

Mar 11, 2007 (9:46 am)

Replying to: john_doe_wny (Mar 11, 2007 9:25 am)
Here is what I did. I pulled the pan and changed the filter. I also let the trans drip overnight to get as much fluid out of it as possible (about 7 qts). I then put a drain plug on the trans pan. I reinstalled the pan and put in 7 qts Mercon V. I drove around to warm up trans, pulled the drain plug, added 7 qts, drove around, drained it, added 7 qts etc. I ran 28 qts through it. To me, this makes sure ALL the fluid got changed plus it has a new filter.
Now, every 18,000 or 20,000 miles I can drain off 7 qts and add 7 to refresh the fluid. At 50,000 miles, I'll run 28 qts through it again.
 Most people will tell you they only get about 6 qts out of the trans. That is true. BUT, if you read enough info on the Taurus trannies you will find where they say to add 1 qt over the full mark on the dip stick. Don't do this with a rear wheel drive car ! It is OK on the Taurus though >
 
Danford1
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